We have never been worthy of God’s love, grace and mercy.  As a species, we are far from deserving the grace of God and even further from ever understanding God.  That’s why this text makes me so curious about God. 

A centurion asks Jesus to heal a slave of his.  Think of that!  Christ comes to “uplift the poor and overthrow the powerful (Luke 1:54).”  Yet, he is willing to answer the cry of the centurion, who is the very symbol of oppression in Jesus’ day.  Before we get further in the narrative, Jesus without question, goes immediately to the centurion’s house to try to heal the slave.  To me, healing the slave would only continue the oppression of the slave and the centurion would continue to get his oppressive needs met. 

But I have come to another perspective.  I don’t think there is a linguistic connection between the words slave and salve.  However, I see a connection between those two words when I read about Jesus soothing the anguish of the centurion and the dead slave.  Christ illustrated a whole new understanding of what it means to act out of humble love and service, regardless who is in need. 

Being of service to everyone, regardless of their role in your life or position in society can be a powerful salve for all present and a tool to allow people to see the glory of God.

Perhaps, to understand the mind of God is to always think of being a salve for society and that may mean becoming a slave every so often.