Uncommon Faith

Matthew 8:5-7 ESV
“When He (Jesus) had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him,  “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” And He said to him, “I will come and heal him.”  But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have You come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.”

Now a Gentile and a Roman officer would never make the hall of fame in Christianity, but this one received notoriety from Jesus. This Gentile and Roman officer actually astounded Jesus and He said, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith.”

Jesus had met the Jewish leaders, there was no great faith there. He had walked a short time with the disciples, there was no great faith there. But , this Roman Centurion, a Gentile came to Jesus, out of character, but he had a desperate need for a servant he obviously loved dearly.

What can we learn from this short encounter? One, there was a desperate need and the Centurion knew who could take care of the need without seeking a second opinion.

Two, the centurion went himself to the master even if it was out of character, against all that he fought for, the Roman cause and he ASKED!

Three, he had the faith that Jesus did not have to physically touch the servant but only speak healing and it would be done.

Four, he walked away from Jesus and believed that the servant was healed.

Prayer:
Lord, every day of my life, the need is present. I have the choice to ask or not to ask. I can believe without any waver or I can doubt, it’s just that simple. Help me to trust You with EVERYTHING!