“But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy for You to come under my roof, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and 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.”” Matthew 8:8-9 NASB2020
The story of the Centurion is a great illustration of faith. The Centurion’s faith was rooted in a few things. First, the Centurion believed that Jesus was a healer. News about Jesus had spread throughout the region. It is not evident if the Centurion heard any of Jesus’ teachings but he knew that Jesus could heal his servant. Second, the Centurion knew that Jesus was a man of authority. The Centurion was a man of authority and knew Jesus also had authority. The news about Jesus was that He spoke with great authority. The Centurion must have also heard this about Jesus. Third, the Centurion must have recognized that Jesus was a holy man. The Centurion felt that he was unworthy for Jesus to come. Also, Jesus was a Jew, and the Centurion was a Roman. However, the Centurion did not say Jesus was not worthy to come to his house, but the Centurion said he was not worthy for Jesus to come.
The Centurion believed because Jesus was a healer and had authority, all Jesus had to do was say the word and the Centurion’s servant would be healed. Jesus was astonished by this Centurion’s faith and even stated he had not seen this kind of faith in Israel. We can surmise from this story that many in Israel still did not recognize who Jesus was and the authority that He had to heal the sick and even forgive sins. Jesus then stated that people from various nations will come and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven and many of the sons of Israel would not and instead be thrown into darkness where there would be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
The Centurion’s story is powerful because it shows the willingness of this Centurion to humble himself before Jesus to ask for his servant’s healing. Also, the Centurion’s faith shows his compassion for his servant because he found Jesus and asked for His help. It is a lesson of faith for all of us. We must believe that Jesus is able and willing to do what we ask according to His power, authority and will. We also must believe that He hears us and will answer us. Finally, it takes humility to admit our own weakness and go to Jesus’ seeking His help in our situations.
Be encouraged by the Centurion’s story and may it spur your faith. The Centurion was able to walk up to Jesus and see Him face to face. The Centurion believed in Jesus because he had seen Jesus for himself and was able to talk to him. Our faith is even greater because we still believe even when we have not seen Jesus with our own natural eyes.
“Jesus *said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you now believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”” John 20:29 NASB2020
Reflections 