February 12th
PEOPLE JESUS MET
Profile: This is the only instance that the gospels record Jesus “marvelling” at someone’s faith; a faith greater than any other he had met even in Israel. Not a rabbi or a disciple but an unnamed Roman soldier based in Capernaum. Luke’s account shows us that the interaction between Jesus and this centurion was carried out through a delegation of Jewish elders (Luke 7:1-10). These elders considered this centurion to be a worthy man for he had built them a synagogue. His own opinion of himself was that he was not worthy either to have Jesus come into his house or even to meet Jesus face to face. Unusually, he had great concern for a servant who was very sick. This was the first miracle of Jesus when he healed someone from a distance, the other was in response to the faith of the Gentile Syrophoenician woman (Matt 15:21-28). The centurion is able to command his subordinates, so he had faith Jesus could just "give the command" for the healing of his servant.
PEOPLE JESUS MET
THE CENTURION – Faith-full
THE CENTURION – Faith-full
When Jesus heard that, he marvelled; "I tell you truly," he said to his followers, "I have never met faith like this anywhere in Israel.”
Matthew 8:10, James Moffatt New Testament
Matthew 8:10, James Moffatt New Testament
Profile: This is the only instance that the gospels record Jesus “marvelling” at someone’s faith; a faith greater than any other he had met even in Israel. Not a rabbi or a disciple but an unnamed Roman soldier based in Capernaum. Luke’s account shows us that the interaction between Jesus and this centurion was carried out through a delegation of Jewish elders (Luke 7:1-10). These elders considered this centurion to be a worthy man for he had built them a synagogue. His own opinion of himself was that he was not worthy either to have Jesus come into his house or even to meet Jesus face to face. Unusually, he had great concern for a servant who was very sick. This was the first miracle of Jesus when he healed someone from a distance, the other was in response to the faith of the Gentile Syrophoenician woman (Matt 15:21-28). The centurion is able to command his subordinates, so he had faith Jesus could just "give the command" for the healing of his servant.
Lessons:
- Do you have faith in the authority of Jesus in your life?
- Do you expect God to work only in specified ways? Don’t limit God by your mind-set and lack of faith. Who don’t you expect to see at the table in the kingdom that Jesus wants there? (Matt 8:10-12)
- Have you ever been that advocate who prays to God for healing on someone’s behalf?
- The centurion sent word through a delegation. We send word through prayer.
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Jesus - the Word of authority.
Jesus - the Word of authority.