After Jesus had finished teaching all this to the people, he entered Capernaum. A centurion there had a servant who was highly regarded, but who was sick and at the point of death. When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave. 7:4 When they came to Jesus, they urged him earnestly,

 

“He is worthy to have you do this for him, because he loves our nation, and even built our synagogue.”

So Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. 7:7 That is why I did not presume to come to you. Instead, say the word, and my servant must be healed. 7:8 For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me. I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

 

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him. He turned and said to the crowd that followed him,

“I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith!”

 

So when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave well.

There are times when it appears that evil is winning, that freedom is at risk, and that the future holds only darkness. This is not one of those times. This is a day we can stand tall, perhaps with a tear in our eyes, and find joy in the knowledge that there are still people willing to give the full measure of honor and duty to protect lives and to reinforce freedom.

Today every American is given the opportunity to remember the greatness of those who have surrendered their life, both while living and even unto death, to defend America and the freedom she represents. Whether you have the day off or not, take a moment to thank God for these men and women. And to those who today are serving just as faithfully as the fallen once did, show them our love and appreciation not only today but every day.

America: Home of the free, because of the brave.