The Centurion's Great Faith

(Matthew 8:5-10, 23-26; 28:18; Luke 8:22-25)

 

 

"Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, saying, 'Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.' And Jesus said to him, 'I will come and heal him.'  The centurion answered and said,  'Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, Go, and he goes; and to another, Come, and he comes; and to my servant, Do this, and he does it'. When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed (which included His disciples),  'Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel'."  Uh Oh.  (Matthew 8:5-10)

 

Why was Jesus so impressed by what the centurion said? Was it because he had a good understanding of authority?  I would think that a person who understands and is willing to submit to authority as     opposed to one who is prone to rebellion would be set to do well under the hand of the Lord, yet is this the point Jesus is making? Where would be the analogy between the centurion's understanding of regimental authority and the deliverance of his servant from torment?

 

"All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth" Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18)

 

The fact that the centurion understands authority is good. He clearly knows that Jesus was not only able but willing to heal his servant. The fact that he UNDERSTOOD that Jesus need not come to his home but that He only speak a word and his servant would be healed puts his UNDERSTANDING right up there with Peter's UNDERSTANDING that Jesus is "the Christ, the Son of the living God". It is one thing to know who Jesus is; it's another thing altogether to know for sure that what Jesus says will pierce the natural surroundings/findings with the His supernatural truth!

 

"Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, 'Lord, save us. We are perishing!' But He said to them, 'Why are you fearful, O you of LITTLE faith? '(Uh Oh) Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm." (Matthew 8:23-26)

 

"Now it happened, on a certain day, that He got into a boat with His disciples. AND HE SAID TO THEM (only speak a word and it shall be), 'Let us cross over to the other side of the lake'. And they launched out. But as they sailed, He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, 'Master, Master, we are perishing!' Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased and there was a calm. But He said to them, Where is your FAITH? (I wish the centurion was in this boat! Just kidding.)  And they were afraid and marveled, saying to one another, 'who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water and they obey Him!' "

 

Jesus had spoken something to them and He expected them to hold on to it. Quite a contrast. The centurion knew and therefore acted and received. The disciples didn't hear and were afraid and marveled even saying, "Who can this be?" We know the disciples went on and grew in Christ Jesus. Where do we find ourselves in this comparison?

The Wisdom That Is From Above

 James 3:13-18

 

"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your heart do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."

 

We should understand that God attempts to inspire us in the components of wisdom by the Holy Spirit. It is in the soul where we make our decision to receive it. You have heard it said, "a chain is only as strong as it's weakest link". If the soul is weak, either because we have not yet heard or having heard, are unwilling to do (wayside ground), the blessing of His grace will produce little, if any, fruit. It falls to the ground as a torrent of water does little to help parched ground- it rushes past before it may be taken in. Satan's wisdom too often finds a place for rumination in the soul. At that point, the carnality of man is enticed, drawn away from the peace of His wisdom.

 

 

The answer lies in the soul's willingness to be a peacemaker. God's inspiration by the Holy Spirit awakens, alerts, reminds and warns us. (Without this empowerment it is impossible to overcome. Satan strikes at the weakest part of our souls.) He strengthens us to make peace (or produce peace in a place of temptation), displaying the fruit of righteousness! Be wise and understand this battle. As He inspires you in this, there will be less ground for Satan to sow his seed! What a blessing to recognize Satan's assault AS he comes to steal rather than after he has stolen. Christ is being formed in you!