Abraham and his wife had been promised a son for many years, but it had not happened. They were disappointed and begun to have doubts. The three 'strangers' who showed up at their tent were actually angels from God. Abraham gave them the customary hospitality and even more. For their part, the angels promised that by that time next year, Abraham and Sarah would have a son. Sarah laughed, for they were quite old - but the angels were not amused, for they were not joking. How often we have become discouraged, even to the point of giving up. When someone tries to reassure or encourage us, we laugh, sometimes bitterly. All things are possible with God, but only in God's own time.

The centurion showed great faith in God, even though he was not a Jew. In fact, he was an officer in the hated Roman army, the oppressors of Judea. His faith was powerful: Jesus had authority, and needed only to give the order for something wonderful to happen. Often people outside of our religion show great faith, even greater faith, for God works in the lives of all. Jesus proclaimed that he had come into the world to invite all people to enter God's kingdom. It is not an exclusive club and no one owns God. Let us look for signs of faith in everyone, regardless of who they are.