A life that points to Christ
The Centurion
From the Roman centurion we learn a humility that knows it does not deserve Jesus, a faith that simply trusts His word, and a concern for those under our care. His life teaches faith that takes Christ at His word, and it points to the Savior whose authority reaches wherever He speaks.
“The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.”Matthew 8:8
“When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.”Matthew 8:10
“And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.”Matthew 8:13
“When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.”Luke 7:9
Their story, honestly
The centurion was a Roman officer whose servant was gravely ill. He sent to Jesus for help, but as Jesus came, he sent word saying he was not worthy to have Jesus enter his house, and that Jesus need only speak the word and his servant would be healed. As a man under authority who could say to soldiers go and come, he understood that Jesus had authority to command healing at a distance. Jesus marveled at him and said He had not found so great faith, no, not in Israel, and the servant was healed in that hour. A Gentile soldier became one of the great examples of faith in all the Gospels.
What their life teaches us
First, the centurion teaches humility; a powerful officer confessed he was not worthy to host Jesus, showing that true faith comes with a lowly view of ourselves before Christ. Second, he teaches faith that rests on Jesus' word alone; he did not need a sign or a visit, only the word of the one he trusted, because he grasped Christ's authority. Third, he teaches love that uses influence for others; he humbled himself to plead not for himself but for a servant. That Jesus marveled at a Gentile's faith teaches that Christ is drawn to trust wherever it is found, and that faith, not pedigree, is what pleases Him.
How their life points to Christ
Jesus marveled at the centurion's faith and said He had not found such great faith in all Israel, a hint that His salvation would reach far beyond one nation to the whole world. The centurion recognized in Jesus an authority over sickness and distance that belongs to God alone, and Christ honored his trust. His confidence that Jesus need only speak the word points to the Lord whose word carries divine power, the same word that calmed storms and raised the dead. The Gentile officer who took Jesus at His word foreshadows the countless nations who would come to trust the Savior of the world.
Questions people ask
Why did Jesus praise the centurion's faith so highly?
Because he trusted Jesus' word completely, believing Jesus could heal from a distance simply by commanding it, without needing to be present. He grasped Christ's authority. Jesus said He had not found such great faith in Israel, showing that trust in His word, not background, is what He honors.
What does the centurion teach about humility?
That true faith is humble. A powerful Roman officer confessed he was not worthy to have Jesus enter his home. His authority over others made him more aware, not less, of Jesus' greater authority. He teaches that coming to Christ rightly means a lowly view of ourselves and a high view of Him.