Luke 7 - The Faith of the Centurion

“ 1When Jesus had finished saying all this in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. 2There a centurion's servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. 3The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, "This man deserves to have you do this, 5because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue." 6So Jesus went with them.

He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: "Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8For 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."

9When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel." 10Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.”

What an awesome testament of faith! It was not because of WHO the Centurion was, not because of his GOOD DEEDS, not because of his WEALTH or even his SOCIAL STATUS, it was simply HIS FAITH that Jesus answered his prayer! The Centurion didn’t ask Jesus to come to his servant and heal, he BELIEVED in FAITH that if Jesus said it was done, then it would BE DONE. Because of that, Jesus praised the Centurion for his faith, saying that “I have not found such great faith even in Israel”, what an honor! Would Jesus say that of us?

To tell you the truth, I have not always had such faith. Many times I would pray and walk away thinking, “I hope God has heard me” or “I hope God will answer my prayer”, but you see that was not faith like the Centurion had, he KNEW his servant would be healed; not wondered, wished or even hoped, but KNEW.

Forgive me God for my lack of faith, you have always taken care of me and have said that You would NEVER forsake me. Please help me to have faith like the Centurion, and trust in You more. Amen.