Gospel

Faith of the Centurion

by Roland Crim
02/06/18
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When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.” Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?” 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. 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.” When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment. Matthew 8:5-10 and 13 NIV

Notice here that the centurion says he is not worthy to have Jesus come under His roof. This is far more humble than the Jews who spoke of the centurion to Jesus in Luke 7:4b-5 “This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” These Jews were equating the man’s worthiness to His actions, and not his beliefs. One is not saved through their works, but through their belief in Christ, and in obedience to Him.

Jesus had not seen so much faith in all Israel compared to the faith of this centurion. Actions are important to our Christian life, yet, they shall never buy us our salvation. Faith in Christ, shows our belief in Him as our Savior, and more.

Action may speak louder than words, but faith is what keeps us aligned to our Lord and being obedient to Him. Out of this will flow actions which are right in the eyes of the Lord.