Found Whole

When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick. (Luke 7:9-10)

By the time the messengers returned to the house, the servant was already healed. Jesus did not go lay hands on the servant or have everyone pray for hours. In fact, there was no visible display of any kind surrounding the miracle. The word was spoken, and the servant was found well before anyone even walked back in to check on him.

The Greek word for "whole" in this text carries the idea of being well, being free, and being fully restored to health. This wasn't a partial improvement that still needed a follow-up visit. It was a finished work, already done by the time anyone showed up to confirm it. The centurion's faith settled the fact that it was done the second Jesus spoke.

And that's the pattern faith is meant to follow. Belief comes first, usually well ahead of any physical confirmation. The centurion didn't send his friends home to check whether things were heading in the right direction. He had already sent them home, sure the matter was handled, because he trusted the authority behind the word that had been spoken. When you've prayed and turned your faith loose over a situation, that same confidence is what you need. The confirmation might take a while to show up for you to see, but the Word has already gone out, and Scripture says it doesn't come back empty.

Practical Application

If you've already prayed and released your faith over something, fight the urge to keep anxiously checking for proof that it's working. Go on with your day the way the centurion did. Be absolutely settled that God has already handled it.

Isaiah 26:3; Hebrews 11:1