Jesus Helps Us From Heaven

Hello Friends,

Well… IT’S FAIR WEEK!!!!! The Crawford County Fair has arrived which means… lots and lots and lots of fun! I heard there are going to be bounce houses, tractor and truck pulls, a demolition derby, go-kart racing, and even a barn yard scramble with bunnies, pigs, and goats running around waiting to be caught. And that’s not all! I heard 4-H is hosting some awesome events featuring the children’s hard-work. And that’s not all! I heard that there are going to be lemon shake-ups, cotton candy, ice cream, and tons of fried food! I don’t know about you but I am excited! Are you making plans to go to the Fair? What is your favorite thing about the Fair?

Obviously, the Fair is on my mind. Specifically, I have been thinking about all the people who volunteer their time and help to make the Fair a place of excitement, fun, and great memories. Those individuals put in so much work and time to make sure that you have the time of your life. And it’s their willingness to help that got me thinking about the help Jesus gives us although he is in heaven. In the Book of Isaiah, we read these words from the Lord, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).The Lord, Jesus, is willing to strengthen us when we feel week, to hold us up when we feel tired, and to help us when we can’t do something on our own.

The words of Isaiah reminded me of another story in the Gospel of Matthew that involves a centurion–a Roman soldier–who was seeking help for his friend. And the centurion approached Jesus because he knew that Jesus could help him. Keep in mind that not too many Roman soldiers liked Jesus, so this centurion is doing something that not too many like him would do. Instead of doubting Jesus, the centurion had faith in Jesus. Let’s explore this story together…

Matthew 8:5-6, “When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, asking for help. ‘Lord,’ he said, ‘my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.’” What was the problem in this story? The problem was that the he man’s servant–his friend–was sick. And the man who came to ask Jesus for help was a centurion, a soldier in the Roman army who was in charge of 100 soldiers. So, this Roman soldier comes to ask Jesus for help. That’s interesting because most Romans didn’t believe in the real God, but this one must have because he came to ask Jesus for help.

Matthew 8:7-13, “Jesus said to him, ‘Shall I come and heal him?’

The centurion replied, ‘Lord, I do not deserve to have You come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, “Go,” and he goes; and that one, “Come,” and he comes. I say to my servant, “Do this,” and he does it.’

‘When Jesus heard this, He was amazed and said to those following Him, ‘Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

“Then Jesus said to the centurion, ‘Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.’ And his servant was healed at that moment.”

Jesus said He would go with the man to heal his servant–to help his friend–but did Jesus have to go see the servant to heal him? No. The soldier told Jesus he didn’t have to come with him because he had faith that Jesus can help people from far away. So, Jesus stayed right where he was and healed the servant who was probably miles away.

That’s kind of like us. Jesus is far away right now, up in Heaven, but we know we can still ask him to help us. Have any of you ever called someone on the telephone? When you call someone, you can talk to them even if they’re really far away. And when we pray, we can talk to Jesus even though he’s really far away.

We know that Jesus can help us from where he is, far away in Heaven (or in our heart), because he still sees us and hears us and can help us from there because he’s so powerful. We simply need to have faith like the centurion did. The centurion had so much faith that Jesus said not even the people in Israel had as much faith as him. He could probably move mountains!! Even though the people of Israel were supposed to believe in God, this Roman soldier had more faith than they did. And Jesus said that anyone who had faith would get to go to Heaven, but anyone who doesn’t have faith in God can’t go to Heaven.

No matter where you are, what you are doing, or what you are thinking, Jesus is always available to help you as long as you have faith–you believe–in him. He is even available to help others in your life. Are you going to allow Jesus to help you so that you can one day–hopefully in the way, way, way, future–get to heaven?

So, when you go to the Fair this week, make sure to say thank you to everyone who helps you! Because, believe it or not, they are doing what Jesus is always willing to do for you!

Let’s pray: Jesus, we thank you that even though you’re up in Heaven, you can still hear us and help us. Help us all to have faith in you like the centurion did. Amen.

Your Friend, Holy Spirit!

Lesson Idea: https://ministry-to-children.com/lesson-jesus-helps-us-from-heaven/