THE CENTURION: A MAN WHOSE FAITH MOVED GOD'S HEART
Speaking to the centurion, Jesus said, "Not in Israel, have I found so much strong faith." A faith that in His day the Messiah could not find in His own people was found in a stranger, a gentile. Where did this man get such great faith that amazed Jesus? Was it because He had read the Torah more than anyone else? Was it because He prayed more than others? Where did this man get this Great Faith?
Who is this man who moved the heart of God? A man whose rock-like-faith amazed Jesus! Luke 7:1-10
GENUINE LOVE
LOVE ALL: Look at his love towards his slave. This centurion is a man in authority but also under authority. He had under him 100 soldiers. With such a high ranking position, he knows the pain of the lowest and he cares. He highly regarded and cared for the lowly! They were very important to him. Think about this next time when you pass by the homeless downtown.
SELFLESS LOVE: He sent in for Jesus not for himself but for his slave. This does not mean he did not have his own problems but he had true love that lays down its own life so that others can live. He could have had problems of his own and his own family but he chose to put others first (Philippians 2:3)
LOVE TOWARDS GOD'S PEOPLE: "...for he loves our nation and it was he who built our synagogue." Love for Israel, love for the Jewish and Messiah's nation, love towards God's children and the love for God's house (the zeal for you house will consume me. (John 2:17)"
Genuine love does not love only me and my own, my family and friends but genuine love loves all and cares for all. The Bible says, " but faith working through love." Gal 5:6
WHEREVER YOU FINDS SUCH GREAT LOVE, THERE WILL BE SUCH GREAT FAITH! YOU WANT THIS KIND OF FAITH, THEN KNOW IT IS TO HAVE GENUINE LOVE.
HUMILITY
The centurion sent for Jesus. This is an officer with people under him. He lays down pride and asks for help. He had only heard about Jesus, His miracles and wonders but he was not afraid to ask for help. He was not afraid to asks help from those who were lower than him. He asked help from Jewish elders to bring Jesus. He laid down His title because He understood Jesus is above all, " for I am not worthy for You to come under my roof; for this reason I did not even consider myself worthy to come to You ..." People saw him deserving "He is worthy for You to grant this to him" but he saw himself undeserving.
UNDERSTANDING THE POWER OF GOD
As Jesus was on His way, the centurion was even more enlightened. He realized that God is so powerful that He does not even need to come to his house " but just say the word, and my servant will be healed " He understood the power of God!
Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled at him, and turned and said to the crowd that was following Him, “I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith.” When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.
The Lord spoke to me and said, "It is to have unconditional faith! To simply trust that I will do what I have told you!" As simple as that my friend. Great faith does not require you to fast first or to read many chapters from the Bible before you believe; Great faith does not require you to pray before you own it but it is TO BELIEVE EVEN THE LITTLE OF HIS WORD YOU HAVE HEARD andTo take the Lord by His Word. The Lord spoke and said, "I want all my children to become owners of such a great faith!"