Walk Of Life – Day 13, May 2022 – Thoughts From The Words Of Christ

Faith of the Centurion – Word of Christ heals the servant (Matthew 8: 5-13, Luke 7:1-10)

This is an unusual story of a centurion who comes to a Jewish Rabbi seeking help on behalf of his servant. The centurion was the commander of a centuria i.e. hundred soldiers and was responsible for training legionaries, assigning duties, and maintaining discipline amongst the ranks. Being a man of authority of a ruthless Roman army, he was unusually compassionate and humble in nature.

This story is about three things – why the centurion went to Lord Jesus, the faith he displayed in Christ and how he experienced the power of God through Christ. When you meditate deeply on the two main characters in this story, Lord Jesus and the centurion, you will see few similarities.

Both were Humble
 “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.” Matthew 8:6
Under Roman law a master had the right to kill his slave, and it was expected that he would do so if the slave became ill or injured to the point where he could no longer work. But this centurion was compassionate and cared for his sick servant. Not caring about his status, he went in search of Lord Jesus whom he had heard about.

Jesus sad to him, “I will come and heal him?” Matthew 8:7
Though Lord Jesus had the power of God in him, He was humble to respect the authority of the centurion and was kind to say He will go with him even before the centurion asked him too.  

Both were Pleading for their Servant
The Centurion pleaded for the life of his servant addressing Jesus as Lord. He had put great efforts to travel from his home and search for Lord Jesus in his quest to save the servant from death.

Lord Jesus also like the centurion left heaven his true home with the mission of saving mankind. He now acts as an advocate pleading for our souls to save us from eternal death. “Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” Romans 8:34

 Both were Men of Authority
“For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” Matthew 8:9
The centurion was a man of authority and he fully understood that Lord Jesus had true authority from God to heal and could command things to be done and it would be completed without his presence. 

During his ministry, Lord Jesus mentioned several times that He and the Father are one and it is by His spirit that He performs all miracles. After his resurrection, Lord Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth to me”. Matthew 28: 18.

Both had faith in God’s Power
^“The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed” Matthew 8:9
Even though the centurion did not physically see his servant being healed, he had faith that he will live. “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1. The Jews nor the disciples were able to display such faith irrespective of witnessing so many miracles.

Lord Jesus also displayed faith in his Father, even though the Jews rejected him and plotted to kill him. He trusted God’s plan of salvation for mankind and fulfilled His will by being obedient to death on the cross.

How is your faith today? Like the centurion, is God pleased with you? Do you trust in his unfailing love at all times?
Through this miracle, God is asking us to be kind, compassionate and “Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3. The Sprit of God stands knocking at your heart’s door, daily waiting for you to seek his will. God wants you to respect those whom God has kept in authority above you and expects you to pray for them. If you constantly fail to respond to His call , then as Matthew 8:12 states “But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 

May the good LORD give us heavenly wisdom to follow HIM Faithfully till the end. Amen.