The Centurion

When Jesus had finished saying all this in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernum. There a centurion's servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, "This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue." So Jesus went with them.
He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: "Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 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."
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel." Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.
Luke 7:1-10

This passage from Luke is what I read during my quiet time this morning. I am familiar with this passage and have always been impressed by the centurion for having such great faith. This morning, however, I wondered why Jesus went to him in the first place.
When the Jewish elders came to Jesus, they said the centurion "deserved" to have Jesus come and heal his servant. Surely Jesus knew no one deserved to have Him come, but He went with them anyway. I wondered what motivated Him to go. Did He know what was going to happen next? Did He know the centurion would send others to say, "I'm not worthy!" and that he would display great faith? Did Jesus know He would be amazed by this man's faith?
As I continued to read this passage, I continued to ponder Jesus' motivation. I don't think it was the smooth talking of the Jewish elders. I wondered, was it foreknowledge of the man's faith, or was it Jesus' selfless love?

Then I had to turn the question onto myself. Jesus, why do You respond to me? I am a broken, unworthy woman. In my heart I desire to please You. I want to have a faith which amazes you. But Lord, I know I fall short! I believe it is Your selfless, stubborn love which causes You to respond to me. There is nothing worthy about me. I know that full well. Thank You, Jesus, for your perfect love!

So I walked through my day today dwelling on the truth that Jesus loves me, not because of anything I've done, but because it's what He's chosen to do. Ahhhh!

And, my friend, He's done the same for you. Isn't He wonderful?