In this narrative, it seems that the local Roman army commander in Capernaum was waiting for Jesus to return to the town, which He had made His base in the north of the country (Matthew 4:13).  Luke says that the military officer’s personal servant was very ill and about to die.  He asked the Jewish elders to heal him, but they could not.  Instead, they pleaded with Jesus to come – because the commander had paid for the local synagogue to be built (Luke 7:1-5).  Having come to depend on this slave, the centurion desperately wanted to find a way to make him better.  

The servant was utterly helpless, and the centurion was also helpless.  Although he was very compassionate, he could not make the man better and nor could the religious leaders.  Jesus asked if the soldier would like a home visit.  But he declared that Jesus was so great, and he was so unworthy.  In any case, there was no need for Jesus to go to the sick man.  The centurion, who was used to a word of command bringing the intended action, believed Jesus had so much authority that just by commanding the sickness to go, the servant would be healed (Luke 7:6-8).

This Roman was a practical leader who knew that military commands must be obeyed.  He understood the nature of authority: it was absolute, and when a word was spoken - actions followed.  His servant had always obeyed him, so surely the servant's illness would be healed at the command of Jesus.  All the officer wanted was for Jesus to give the command, and then he believed that healing would be immediate.  That was real faith.  He believed that Jesus had the authority and that His words would have a powerful effect (Matthew 8:10).

If every believer in Jesus had faith like that, what a difference it would make.  In times of desperation and crisis, Jesus still has the authority to act powerfully in response to real faith.  Call on Him to speak authoritatively into the situation you are facing: He has said that if we ask, He will give; if we knock, He will open; and if we seek, He will reveal the answer (Matthew 7:7-8).  Those are His promises which give us the confidence to lay our needs before Him and trust in His powerful answer.  Do so today!