The story of the centurion’s faith is such a powerful story that offers many valuable lessons for Christians.
Have you ever seen someone with a faith that amazed you? Imagine a man whose trust in God amazed even Jesus. Who was this person?
The centurion made an amazing request. He showed deep understanding. And Jesus was so surprised by him. We’ll look at what we can learn from his faith and humility. His story still affects people today.
Let’s dive into the story of the centurion’s faith. We’ll see why his belief is so inspiring. This story is not just about faith; it’s about miracles and a power that holds our lives together.
The Faith of the Centurion Summary
The story of the centurion’s faith, found in the Gospels of Matthew (8:5-13) and Luke (7:1-10), is a powerful testimony to the kind of faith that impresses Jesus Himself.
A Roman centurion, a high-ranking army officer, has a dearly loved servant who’s seriously ill and in terrible pain.
Despite his powerful status, the centurion reaches out to Jesus for help, showing his deep care and concern for his servant, which is pretty remarkable given the social norms of that time.
When he approaches Jesus, he does something unexpected. He believes so firmly in Jesus’ authority that he tells Him there’s no need to come to his house; he believes if Jesus just says the word, his servant will be healed.
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. 9 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.” Matthew 8:8-9 NIV
He explains his understanding of authority through his own experience—just as he commands soldiers, he recognizes Jesus has the authority to command even the elements of health and sickness.
Jesus is amazed by this. He points out that this kind of faith is rare, even more so than anything He’s seen in Israel.
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. Matthew 8:10
He takes this moment to teach those around Him about the nature of God’s kingdom—how it’s open to everyone, from everywhere, who has faith like this centurion.
Jesus tells the centurion to go back home, and at that very moment, his servant is healed, just as he believed would happen.
The Centurion’s Remarkable Request
Let’s look at a key part in the story of the centurion’s strong belief – his unique ask. By this point, we already know the centurion believes in Jesus.
But, it’s his powerful request that shows how much he trusts in Jesus’ divine power. This part looks at why his request is so extraordinary.
“Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.” (Matthew 8:8)
The centurion shows his deep faith by knowing Jesus has the highest authority. Even though he holds power, he admits he’s not worthy of Jesus. His ask shows an incredible trust in Jesus curing his servant just by speaking.
The centurion’s trust in Jesus’ words is clear. He doesn’t ask for any signs or big actions. He just believes in Jesus’s power to heal.
This part of the story shows the centurion’s strong faith in Jesus. It goes beyond what society expects or what is considered normal. He uses a simple yet powerful belief to show his trust in God’s power.
Lessons from the Story of the Centurion
The story of the centurion’s faith offers several important lessons for us as Christians, especially those who may be new to faith.
Universal Access to Jesus
This story emphasizes that faith in Jesus is not restricted by ethnicity, status, or background.
The centurion, a Gentile, demonstrates that anyone can approach Jesus with faith, breaking down the barriers that might typically separate people in society.
Understanding Spiritual Authority:
The centurion’s recognition of Jesus’ supreme authority teaches us about the power of God’s word.
Just as the centurion believed that Jesus could heal with a command, we are reminded of the power and authority of Jesus’ words and promises in our own lives.
Faith and Humility Go Hand in Hand
The centurion, despite his high rank, displayed great humility by admitting he did not feel worthy to have Jesus enter his home.
This act of humility coupled with his faith is a powerful model for us, showing that approaching God with a humble heart is crucial.
The Power of Great Faith
Jesus marveled at the centurion’s faith, highlighting it as greater than any he had found in Israel.
This teaches us that great faith, characterized by complete trust and surrender to God’s will, is something that pleases God and can lead to miraculous outcomes.
Everyone is Welcome in God’s Kingdom
Jesus uses this occasion to teach about the inclusivity of the Kingdom of Heaven.
He mentions that many will come from every direction to sit down with the patriarchs in the kingdom, indicating that it’s open to all who believe, regardless of their heritage or past.
This story encourages believers to trust in Jesus’ authority, approach Him with humility, and maintain a strong, inclusive faith that transcends all earthly boundaries.
It is also a powerful reminder for us about the nature of faith and our understanding of who Jesus is. It encourages us to fully trust in Jesus’ word and His authority over every part of our lives.
Be sure to read more from our Bible story collection:
