Regarding His ministry Jesus quoted from Isaiah 61:1-2 this passage, "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." I'm so thankful that our God sees our human condition and meets our needs, not just in our everyday ordinary needs, but in sup

ernatural ways as well. We should never hesitate to ask our Heavenly Father for miraculous healing and deliverance from our brokenness. 

Matthew 8:5-13 tells a great story about a Roman Centurion who came to Jesus to request help. His servant was gravely ill and suffered tremendously from his affliction. Scripture does not indicate what the ailment was, and maybe that is a good thing. The omission forces us to say, "What ailment?  What condition?" With that omission we are immediately drawn and left to imagine what terrible and horrid condition could possibly be tormenting this poor servant.  Our mind is encouraged to interject the worst thing we could imagine. What hopeless situation is this that was brought to Jesus? And thus we find ourselves imagining the most hopeless situation our collective minds can fathom. We all need to recognize the brokenness that exists in us as a result of sin entering the world.  When Adam and Eve sinned the whole earth came under the penalty for that sin. It was all broken.  Our sin seldom affects us alone.  The collateral damage is frequently catastrophic. Sin was the proverbial "toxic oil spill that poisoned the whole river;" "the atom bomb that caused fallout" in everything and everyone.  Without Jesus we are hopeless for redemption. Similarly, something was greater than this centurion had the authority or power to fix for his beloved servant. 

I find it interesting that a soldier who commands armies for the most powerful nation on the face of the earth should come to a humble carpenter's son from Galilee.  One of Jesus' disciples quipped, "Can anything good come out of Galilee?" But this centurion recognized his powerlessness to heal his human condition, this brokenness which demanded a power greater than his own be applied. When the centurion finds Jesus, he places his request, "My servant is tormented." The request is again understood.  The omission allows us to fill in the blank. What is your request?  Have you asked Jesus to "fix it?" It is easy to make the mistake of looking to our parents, our savings accounts, our employment opportunities, our church, other people or even the government to solve our issues and meet our needs.  But here, the centurion goes to the real source.  He comes to the fountain head and asks Jesus. We need to bring our requests to the Lord in faith believing. James tells us that we should never ask doubting. If we do, we should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. (James 1:6-7).

Jesus responds with authority.  I find myself encouraged by this. We need a remedy. We bring the request.  Jesus responds with authority.  How simple is that? Matthew 7:28-29 records the people's response to Jesus' teaching.  "When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes."  They recognized that there was power behind his teaching.  They recognized this power far surpassed that of other teachers. It is comforting to know that when we have reached the end of our power and authority to alter life circumstances, Jesus is will take the baton and run with it.  When our stamina and endurance are waning, His is just kicking in.  The centurion says, "You don't need to come to my house. Just say the word and this disease will have to obey." Jesus reminded us of the peace and rest we can have in our hearts with the story of the disciples on the stormy sea.  Again, the gospels record, "Who is this man, that even the wind and sea obey Him?" (Matthew 8:27) Often when we are in the midst of a difficult circumstance we get trench mentality.  We only see what is to the left and right of us.  We can't see that the entire heavenly realm is encamped about us and their commander in complete control of the entire battlefield. We can sometimes feel pinned down, trapped and alone, even when the victory is near. We're not alone! Praise God! We have access to this authority.  Hebrews 4:16 tells us "Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." We can have confidence in God's authority over our circumstances

First there must be recognition of our inabilities and finite strength. A faith request must be presented for help from one who has authority to respond. Then come the results. The scripture says that the centurion's servant was healed that very hour. Isn't it good to know that Jesus will show up in time with just the right medicine for the need we present. If you are feeling hopeless, hurt, trapped, alone, in need, helpless... You are none of those things. Jesus is just around the corner with the help you need. Reaching out to t e Lord and He will answer.  "Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13) Let me encourage you today to reach out to Jesus in your weakest moment with your greatest need.  Believe that He will answer and bring help in your time of need.