-November 13, 2022-
Good morning, happy Lord’s Day,
“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. 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 8:8-9).
A Roman centurion commanded anywhere from one hundred to several hundred men. They were professional soldiers and served as a bridge between officers and enlisted men. They were well paid and held in high esteem, but they experienced high rates of injury and death during war. Their combination of wealth, power, and prestige made them influential in society.
All references to centurions are found in the NT. Interestingly, the Holy Spirit paints a very favorable picture of them. There are four significant ones we will consider over the next three days: the centurion who came to Jesus to heal his servant, the centurion at the cross, Cornelius the centurion who came to the Lord through Peter, and the centurion who saved Paul after their shipwreck and delivered him safely to Rome.
The centurion in our text today was a man of true faith in the authority and power of the Lord Jesus Christ. His servant was at home, lying paralyzed, and dreadfully tormented. He was in a very serious condition and this man pleaded with Jesus to heal him. Our Savior promised to come and heal him (See Matthew 8:5-7). This centurion showed his love and compassion for his servant.
Before Jesus could take a single step, the centurion acknowledged that he was not worthy to have Jesus come under his roof. He only asked that He speak a word, and was confident his servant would be healed. He had great faith and humility before the Lord. This is the kind of faith we need in beseeching the Lord for ourselves and others.
But he took his faith to another level by comparing his authority over the soldiers and servants under him to the authority of Christ. The Lord was amazed by his great faith. Matthew 8:10 says, “When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” He then told him, “Go your way; as you have believed, so let it be done to you’” (Matthew 8:13). His servant was healed that very hour.
Do we have great faith in the authority and power of God? Do we really believe He will answer our prayers? This unnamed centurion certainly was a great example to all believers everywhere. Let us always come, believe, and trust in Him. He will answer us.
Have a blessed Lord’s Day putting our faith into practice. Stay safe and healthy.
In believing and receiving from Jesus,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 