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Do you know that on at least two occasions, messengers attempted to discourage Jesus from going to do a miracle for someone? Fear was at play in one instance while faith was at work in the other.
In the case of Jairus, messengers came from his house to tell him the Savior's services were no longer needed because his daughter was already dead. These messengers even seemed to be trying to 'help' Jesus and spare Him wasted time, saying, ... “Do not bother the Teacher anymore” (Luke 8:49).
The truth is that these messengers of the devil sought to instill fear so that Jairus's faith would evaporate like a flame doused with water. If they'd achieved their purpose, Jairus would have accepted that his child no longer needed Christ's help and would have missed the miracle on the way. Thank God Jesus didn't allow him to accept that bad report, telling him, "Do not be afraid; just believe..." (Luke 8:50). Indeed, Jairus rejected fear, and his 'dead' child rose from her sick bed to the glory of God.
Similarly, the Centurion called for Jesus to come heal his sick servant. While the Savior was on the way, the man sent another messenger to tell Him not to bother coming. However, in this instance, the Roman was not acting as an agent of satan. Instead, he expressed the Centurion's Confidence - great faith that stemmed from his worldview as a commander of men.
He said he didn't expect Jesus to show up but believed He need only issue the command from where He was to heal the servant. He explained in Luke 7:8 - For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” This man's understanding of power, based on his worldview, fueled his belief in what Jesus could do. Not surprisingly, his servant was fully healed.
In life, we too can behave like the messenger who tries to stop Jesus from going to perform a miracle. The only question is whether we will decide to speak from a place of fear or a place of faith. This is a crucial choice that will impact what happens next to us and potentially, many others.
We must never forget that Jesus responds to faith and not fear. The Bible teaches that an absence of faith prevented Him from performing many miracles in His hometown. Matthew 13:58 - And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith. Therefore, our faith is key and it makes us active participants in the miracles God has planned for us. Without it, we become subject to the devil's desire to bring failure and loss into our lives
Our God has promised to bless all who love and serve Him. Thus, let us continue to obey His word and display our trust in Him, walking by faith and not by sight. He will help His children to stand firm and speak confidently from a place of faith just as the Centurion did through his messenger.
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