A centurion's faith

   
       "Now when Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, saying, 'Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.' And Jesus said to him,  "I will come and heal him.' The centurion said,  'Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another,  'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it.' (Matthew 8:5-9)

       It would probably not surprise you to know that since I spent 21 years of my life as a U.S. Army infantry officer, that some of my favorite people in the bible are centurions. There are five that get some ink: The one you just read about in chapter 8 of Matthew; The one in charge of the crucifixion who says: "Truly this was the Son of God!" in Matthew 27:54;  Centurion Cornelius, who was he first Gentile convert to Christianity in Acts chapter 10; Centurion Claudius Lysias who rescues the Apostle Paul from the Jewish mob and Sanhedrin in Acts chapters 21- 23; and finally Centurion Julius who escorts Paul to Rome in Acts 27 & 28.

     However, it might surprise you to know that even though a centurion commanded a century, the actual number of soldiers in a century was not 100, even though we have 100 years in a century. In the Imperial Roman Army, there were 80 or 160 soldiers in a century, depending on which Cohort of the Legion you were assigned. (160 in centuries of the First Cohort, and 80 in Cohorts two though six) During  this time in the history of the Roman Army a centurion was a man who had risen from the ranks and had distinguished himself as a leader and a man of courage and valor.

     Needless to say, my favorite centurion is the one we read about at the top of the page from Matthew chapter 8. He was located in Capernaum and his mission was to control the flow of traffic and exact the taxes from those traveling from Judea, through Galilee to Syria and beyond. He was to keep the peace and to represent the conquering power of Rome and its Emperor. We are not told too much about this centurion, not even his name, but we are told all we need to know. He was a man of faith that understood that Jesus was the Son of God and that he had the power to heal the sick.

    He also understood authority. If he told a soldier or servant to do something, he could be sure that they would do it. If he received orders from his commanding officer, then he would be quick to obey also. He knew that Jesus had the power and authority to heal and He needed only to speak the word and his servant would be healed. Jesus responded to this man of faith and the Scripture says that he "marveled."

       "Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham , Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' Then Jesus said to the centurion,  'Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be  done for you.' And his servant was healed at that same hour." (Matthew 8:10-13)

    The centurion knew who had the power to meet his needs. He knew that Jesus need only speak the words and His command would be carried out. Just as Jesus, together with God and the Holy Spirit spoke and the world came into existence. (Genesis Chapter one) What kind of trouble or situation are you in right now? Do you need  Jesus to come to your rescue? You need to go to Him and ask in faith for Him to meet your need. He said He would do it. Do you believe Him? Do you have the faith like this Roman Centurion?

       Pray:

1. Lord help me to come to you with all my needs and to lay them at your feet. I believe you will answer my prayers and grant my petitions if I come to you with faith and great expectancy to see you act on behalf of your Kingdom and Your children
2. Lord I praise you and lift my eyes to You. You are my source of strength for this day and for every hour of the day.
3. Lord thank you for loving me first, for saving me from death, and planting my feet on solid ground.  I was headed for the outer darkness that Jesus mentioned but you rescued me and adopted me as your precious son or daughter.