Not everyone who comes to Jesus brings their own struggles. Sometimes someone comes to the Lord because they are thinking of another person. They pray not because they are sick, but because someone they care about is suffering. They weep not over their own problems, but because they see a loved one in trouble. This is what we find in the story of a centurion in Matthew 8:5–13. When Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him asking for help. Interestingly, he did not come because he himself was ill, but because his servant lay at home paralyzed and in great suffering.
The centurion held a position of authority. He had power and likely substantial resources. Yet his status did not make him indifferent to the suffering of his servant. He saw the pain of the person entrusted to him and did not remain silent. Here we find an important example: love moves a person to look beyond their own interests. The world often teaches us to fight for personal gain. We think about our needs, our future, success, and comfort. Those things are important. But a Christ-centered life teaches us to see others’ needs.
The centurion brought his servant’s struggle to Jesus. He became an intercessor. He stood between another’s need and God’s help. He may not have been able to heal his servant, but he knew to whom he should bring that burden. Isn’t this also our calling? God places people around us who may be struggling but can’t speak up. A family member losing hope. A friend under pressure. A colleague facing difficulties. A church member fighting loneliness. They may not ask us to do something grand, but they need someone who cares and will bring them to the Lord in prayer.
The centurion did not say, “That’s not my problem.” He came to Jesus. Notice also Jesus’ response. When He heard the request, Jesus said He would come and heal the servant. Jesus’ attention to the centurion’s concern shows that God cares for human needs, even needs the world may consider small.
Yet the centurion showed remarkable humility. He said he was not worthy to have Jesus enter his house. He believed that Jesus only needed to speak the word and his servant would be healed. Here we see that care for others must go hand in hand with dependence on God. We can help, accompany, advise, and pray, but we are not their Savior. We bring them to Jesus.
Perhaps God is reminding you of someone today. Don’t ignore that nudge. Take time to pray for them. Contact them. Listen to their story. Offer encouragement. If possible, be present with them in their struggle. We will not always be able to solve other people’s problems, but we can bring their burdens to the Lord.