READ: LUKE 7: 1-9
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to the crowd he said, “I tell you I haven’t seen faith like this in all the land of Israel.” (V. 9)
The University of Maryland, Shock/Trauma Center, in Baltimore is a very busy place. This is evidenced by the never-ending wail of ambulance sirens and the constant sounds of helicopter blades as they land on and leave their roof top landing pad. Real life high drama plays out every day as dedicated physicians, surgeons and nurses attempt to save the lives and restore the bodies of severely ill or injured patients. The atmosphere is one of great highs and lows, as families are informed that loved ones will be restored to partial or full health or that they have passed into eternity.
I was drawn into this atmosphere to visit with the family and a young officer who had been critically injured in a non-duty related motorcycle accident. Although I had never worked directly with this officer, as the second ranking member of the department, it was my calling to be at the hospital. We had received word this condition had deteriorated and that his passing was a real possibility. In the immediate Commander and the Chief of Patrol, we were led into a room where the officer lay motionless and attached to life support machines. I offered a prayer, and we left realizing his chances of survival were remote.
When we reached the visitors room the officers mother entered and requested, we all be seated. With the faith of the Centurion, she informed us that she was going to visit her son and then have him removed from life support— “God was waiting for him.” Then this woman of rock-solid faith, walked with Jesus to her son’s room and bid him farewell. Returning to the visitor’s room she informed us that he had passed. She assured us his was fine in God’s hands and his suffering was over. No member of the clergy was present, but Jesus was, as this humble mother guided her family and the officer’s wife to the decision to set him free. Leaving, I quietly handed her the badge off my uniform as a small tribute to her faith and Christian leadership. God had privileged me that evening to see a “Modern Centurion of the Faitgh” in action!
PAUSE FOR REFLECTION AND PRAYER
Is your faith alive or dormant, the Lord is waiting for your answer.
Lord, empower and strengthen mt faith that I may serve as your centurion to others.