Luke 7:1-10
Faith of a Centurion
1 When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. 2 There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. 3 The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” 6 So Jesus went with them.
He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 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.”
9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” 10 Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.
The story and teaching of the Roman Centurion shows us the example of humble faith...The centurion has authority over many soldiers...He knows about authority and how others can help others...As we read the story, we can see that the centurion is a kind, caring gentleman...He tells Jesus that he is unworthy of being in His Presence...He speaks with a humbleness that even if Jesus does not enter his home, he knows and believes with certainty that Jesus can heal his servant just by sayin His Word...This demonstrates the centurion's humbleness and faith...So even though the centurion knows much about authority being a Roman Centurion,(he knows) that Jesus has more power and authority through God, His Father...The soldier recognizes positions of authority and though he probably has not met Jesus and sees Him as a Humble Man Himself, He must have heard about His Teachings, Miracles, and being the Son of God...
This Roman Soldier knows that Jesus only needs to say the word, His Word that his servant would be healed, and he would be...With just a few words to Jesus, he teaches us about having a simple and strong, mature faith...
The centurion loved the nation of Israel and helped the people build a synagogue...We can learn from the meeting with the centurion and Jesus, that he too has this compassion for others, just like the One he is asking to help him...Love and compassion transcends all things...God is LOVE...So love transcends race, social status, culture, and our own differences -if we have and keep the faith...
Let us seek Jesus as the centurion did and ask Him to help us with our needs...Let us have the faith of the centurion...Let us keep our faith simple and that we do not have to ask for a miracle, a sign, and proof...Trust in the LORD, as the centurion did...The centurion understood that his faith in Jesus could help his servant, if he had the faith...
Let us humbly show humility and compassion for others, regardless of the person's race, ethnicity, lifestyle differences, and let Jesus be the Judge of others...Let us care for those around us and show our love for God and neighbor...