A Roman centurion came to Jesus when a beloved servant was painfully tormented. Because the centurion was Roman, he would have had only limited knowledge of God’s Word. And it would have been against his background and training to seek help from an obscure rabbi of an occupied nation.
But the man had a need, and he was impressed by Jesus—by the nature and the character of Jesus’ ministry. So he approached, not expecting special consideration, asking that Jesus, “only speak a word. . . .” (Mt. 8: NKJV) He believed Jesus could help him by healing his servant from a distance.
Jesus marveled at the man’s faith. He saw the centurion as a forerunner of multitudes of Gentiles—of people outside the nation of Israel—who would turn to God: “many will come from east and west,” Jesus said, “and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven . . . Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” (v. 11,13b)
Originally published May 4, 1990.
Picture: Desert landscape, Las Vegas, NV, 2008. Photo by Solveig.
But the man had a need, and he was impressed by Jesus—by the nature and the character of Jesus’ ministry. So he approached, not expecting special consideration, asking that Jesus, “only speak a word. . . .” (Mt. 8: NKJV) He believed Jesus could help him by healing his servant from a distance.
Jesus marveled at the man’s faith. He saw the centurion as a forerunner of multitudes of Gentiles—of people outside the nation of Israel—who would turn to God: “many will come from east and west,” Jesus said, “and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven . . . Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” (v. 11,13b)
Originally published May 4, 1990.
Picture: Desert landscape, Las Vegas, NV, 2008. Photo by Solveig.
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