Scripture:
[3] When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. [4] And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, [5] for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.” [6] And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. [7] Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. [8] For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” [9] When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” [10] And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well.
Observation:
The centurion was a caring man – at least for this servant whom he could have justifyably killed for being terminally ill.
The centurion had faith. When the centurion “heard about Jesus” – he heard what Jesus was saying and doing and he believed in Him. He knew Jesus could heal. And, he believed that Jesus didn’t even need to come to his house in order to heal the servant.
The centurion was respected even by those he was sent to oppress. The elders vouched for him.
The centurion was humble – he commanded at least 100 men and yet said he is not worthy to have Jesus come under his roof.
Even though we was in charge of at least 100 warriors send to oppress the jews, the centurion submitted to Jesus’ authority.
The centurion did not need to be broken and on his knees to come to Jesus as many in scripture are. He had faith and he came.
Application:
I think some of us get so wrapped up in this world and what or who we control, that we loose sight of the power and majesty of the King of kings. The One we owe our salvation to. We need to be broken until we look to Him for guidance. We need to be broken to pray to Him and speak with Him. Not this centurion. In charge of at least a hundred warriors with a mission to oppress the very individual, our Lord in human form, and yet he has faith and looks to Him
That we should be that humble – in charge of a hundred warriors but knowing the the Lord is above him.
That we should be so faithful – “hearing of Jesus” and knowing that he can heal the sick without even seeing them.
Jesus said the centurion had more faith than the people in Israel. Let us all have the faith of the centurion and turn to Jesus for our needs. He knows everything about us but we still need to show Him the faith He deserves.
Prayer:
Lord when I’m getting too proud of myself and forget that all I have and all I am comes from you, help me with humility. Remind me that you are Lord of all. Remind me you created the universe and tuned it so well to baffle scientists for thousands of years. When I’m feeling overconfident, like I can handle a problem by myself, give me faith to come to you first. In Jesus name I pray. Amen