Upon His Word.

Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum. 2 And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die. 3 So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, 5 “for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue.”

Here is what we know...a centurion's servant was sick and ready to die.  This particular servant was dear to the centurion.  I looked up the word "dear".  Biblically its usage would have meant precious, held in honor or prized.  When he heard about Jesus, he sent the elders of the Jews to plead to Jesus for Him to come and heal His servant.  This soldier was compassionate.  He did not stand aloof to another's plight...he enlisted help....in this case the best help to be found...Jesus of Nazareth. 

There are three other centurions mentioned in the New Testament and all were spoken of positively. The Centurion at the foot of the cross who testified rightly to who Jesus was. "Truly, this was the Son of God."  The first Gentile to be converted and baptized was a centurion named Cornelius. (Acts 10)  In Acts 27 we learn that a Centurion named Julius assisted Paul on his missionary journey toward Rome.  And then there was the guy we are reading about today.  The irony is that most Romans were hated by the Jews.  This guy must have been a very special man to have been able to secure the help of the Jewish Elders.  In fact, he not only secured their help, he had their respect.  Listen to their words about this man to Jesus:

And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, 5 “for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue.”

Wow...that is quite a resume and in reading the next verses they obviously convinced Jesus.

Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. 7 Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 

Jesus...this great Man that this Centurion had heard so much...that the crowds clamored to see was coming to his house..to heal his servant.  Now this would probably have puffed a lesser man up.  But not this Centurion.  This was a man who held great authority and yet remained humble. In fact, as a Roman soldier this man I am sure was steeped in self-sufficiency and yet humble enough to show great compassion for one who served him.  Humble enough not to feel worthy to go to Jesus himself or to have Jesus come under his roof.  Humble enough to recognize One greater than himself.  Humble enough to have the kind of faith that believed that Jesus could just say the word and his precious servant would be healed.

This guy understood submission...he understood authority. He spoke a command and men obeyed...his word was not questioned.  He recognized that Jesus was also a man under authority and because of that could just say the word and his servant would be healed.  Such a beautiful picture of humility is seen in the character of this man.  I see Jesus...how about you?

When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” 10 And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.

It is said here that Jesus marveled at his faith.  Wow!  That is the kind of faith I want.  Jesus, I don't deserve all that you have given me...I am not worthy to receive any of it, but despite that I am crying out in faith for your help...Jesus...if it is your will, all You need do is say the word and it will be done. Lord, increase my faith...help my unbelief!