The Daily Nugget- Faith Of The Centurion

Hi All

The story of the faith of the centurion is a well-known miracle in the New Testament found in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. A Roman military officer in Capernaum asks Jesus to heal his dying servant, showing such deep humility and trust that Jesus is amazed,this is the only time such a reaction from Jesus is recorded in the gospels. It is astonishing to think that Jesus who is the “founder and perfecter of our faith”(Hebrews 12:2) marvelled at the faith of a man. This man was not a rabbi or a disciple NO he was a Roman centurion,but he knew that even though the servant was far away,Jesus could heal him because He had power over everything, even distance. As believers our desire should be to have the same level of faith shown by the centurion.

Be Blessed And Encouraged

Faith Of The Centurion

Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him,6. saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.”7. And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”8. The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.9. 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.”10. When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!11. 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.12. But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”13. 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 that same hour.

(Matthew 8:5-13)

There are several aspects of the centurion’s faith that can be seen in the above passage, firstly he showed humility as he did not feel worthy of having The Lord come to his house saying "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof"(verse 8), secondly as a commander of soldiers he understood authority and believed Jesus held ultimate authority over sickness stating”But just say the word, and my servant will be healed"(verse 8). This was remarkable considering that the centurion was a gentile believer, which would be a great encouragement to early believers that salvation was available to all who would believe, this why Jesus responded as He did saying “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you”(verse 13).

The faith of the centurion is a great example for all Christians to follow as he displays humility, submissiveness,and selfless compassion as he did not ask anything for himself but for his servant.