As we look at the story of the centurion, Jesus shows us what true faith is. The Centurion has a trust in Jesus that is complete and an unshakeable faith.
Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly 7 And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 8 But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.
First, he tells Jesus he needs healing for his servant. Already, this man is living a life to please God through his care and love of his servant. He wasn’t asking Jesus to heal him or his family, this was a servant. As Jesus said He came to serve not to be served, so of course the significance of the centurion asking to heal a servant is huge.
Then we notice the humility of the centurion. He tells Jesus he is not worthy to have Him come into his house. The affirmation that the centurion knows Jesus is important is confirmed in verse 9.
9 For I too am a man 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.
The centurion has already demonstrated care for others, even a person of servant status. then he demonstrates humility by telling Jesus he is unworthy to have Jesus in his house. as we see in verse 9, the centurion explains he is a person of authority in the eyes of the romans. We know the centurion has a servant, but now we also know he has authority over soldiers. He explains he tells them to go and do, and they go and do.
The centurion having expressed his faith in Jesus acknowledging Jesus can heal with a spoken word and never even stepping foot into the centurion’s house is what caught the complete attention of Jesus. The Bible tells us He marveled and gave testimony concerning the faith of the centurion.
10 When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. 11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Jesus goes into great detail about the depth of the centurion’s faith. He expresses that He didn’t find anyone in Israel, the land of God’s chosen who had faith like that of the centurion.
13 And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.
And finally, we see Jesus rewards the centurion’s faith with answering the request and healing the servant. The Bible tells us the servant was healed that very moment. Purely out of faith, Jesus performed a miracle.
This story is a true expression of the strength of faith and demonstrates what true faith is. God wants to perform miracles in our lives. He wants to answer your prayers! He wants you, His child, to have a fruitful and joyous life. Your part is to have faith and trust in Him. His promise is conditional. He will answer your prayers and He will perform miracles in YOUR life IF you have faith!
Walk the path of Jesus. Be in the Word and follow the Holy Spirit as He guides you. Trust in Him and have FAITH!!
If you or someone you love has been incarcerated or are currently incarcerated, it is in these times the enemy wants to take you back. He comes to steal, kill and destroy. He wants to steal your joy, kill your hope, and destroy your confidence. His desire is to take you back into the life you had before. He doesn’t want you to realize your calling and the purpose God has for you! You have a unique testimony that will help others find the same path to Christ you were led to.
Don’t lose hope. Do not give in to the enemy. You are valuable. Your loved one, even though he or she might face something that seems like the end, it isn’t. We are all prodigal sons and daughters. In order to be restored, we have to be first reconciled. For us to be reconciled, we must repent. But for us to repent, we have to be brought out of rebellion and into ruin.
If you are in ruin, rejoice! You are no longer in rebellion! God has brought you out of your rebellion so that you might repent and ultimately be reconciled and restored to Him. God wants you near Him. He has called you! Answer the call and be faithful!
