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The High Regard of the Centurion for Jesus

Text: Matthew 8 : 5 - 13

The centurion must have been deeply moved to hear the gracious words that came from the lips of Jesus! If his superior officer wanted to speak to him, he would have sent an orderly to summon his presence! The Roman governor would never come to his house! But here was Jesus offering to come to his home!

“The centurion answered and said, ‘Lord,
I am not worthy that You should come under my roof.’ ”
Matthew 8:8a

The centurion meant every word he said! To others, he was a powerful Roman centurion. His soldiers answered his beck and call. Many feared him because he represented the might of Rome! But compared to Jesus, he was “not worthy”.

Perhaps the centurion knew of the scruples of the Pharisees who would never step into the home of a Gentile. That would render them “unclean”. How should he respond to the kind and gracious offer of Jesus to come to his home to heal his servant boy? His heart told him that he was standing before someone who was indeed “Lord”. The right response was to speak of his total unworthiness to have Jesus come to his house.

ANOTHER REASON OFFERED

The centurion had the highest regard for Jesus, even though He went everywhere on foot. Though Jesus did not wear anything that befitted His lordship, nevertheless the Roman centurion recognized the power and authority that was in Jesus. He had another reason why he felt that Jesus did not need to come to his house.

“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.”
Matthew 8:8b-9

The Roman centurion spoke as one who understood authority. In his daily life, he was used to giving orders to both his men and his servants. Nobody questioned his authority. There was due respect given. He recognized that Jesus was a man who had authority. He did not have to wear a uniform to wield power and authority. Jesus exuded power and authority in His person! There was no mistaking that, as far as the centurion was concerned.

Did Jesus’ authority extend to the matter of healing diseases? Luke’s Gospel noted that his servant boy was “ready to die”. Would Jesus’ authority extend to healing his servant who was at the brink of death? With all his heart, the Roman centurion believed that Jesus had that power and authority!

HIGH COMMENDATION

The centurion probably rose from the ranks in the Roman army. Perhaps he began life as a raw recruit. As he showed valour in battle, he also earned promotion. Slowly but surely, he became a centurion. He must have heard words of commendation from his superior officers as he rose from the ranks. But he had never heard such stirring words of commendation from anyone like this Great Teacher.

“When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said
to those who followed. ‘Assuredly, I say to you,
I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!’ ”
Matthew 8:10

Jesus recognized faith when He saw it. He saw faith in His disciples. He saw faith again in the heart of the leper who prostrated himself and begged for healing grace. But as he evaluated the faith of the centurion, He knew that this man’s faith was truly outstanding. He was to be commended for having “great faith”.

1. “When Jesus heard it, He marvelled”

Matthew used the word “marveled” deliberately. This word may be translated, “wondered”. It may also be rendered “amazed”. This word was used to express great delight and joy. He was happy that He saw the quality of faith in the heart of the centurion.

2. “And said to those who followed”

Of course Jesus spoke to the centurion directly. However what He said to him was meant for all to hear – especially those who followed Him. We have to bear in mind that “those who followed” were more than just The Twelve. At this stage, He had not appointed the Apostles yet.

3. “I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel”

If anyone should have great faith, the most likely person would be one from the nation of Israel. The individual would have every opportunity to cultivate a great faith. He had the Scriptures. He would have the privilege of having a good education that was built around the study of the Torah (The law of Moses). Yet the sad fact was that He never found anyone with great faith in all of Israel.

It was in the centurion that He saw great faith! The faith of this rugged soldier, this Gentile, must be held up as an example for all in Israel! This was no exaggeration! Thus Jesus prefaced his words with this phrase, “Assuredly, I say to you”. This was His way of making an emphatic statement.

The centurion probably did not see himself as one who possessed such great faith. He must have felt that he was merely doing what his heart told him. It was perhaps the same way when he went into battle. He just did what he thought must be done. He had received words of commendation before, but nothing like this! How his heart must have been lifted up with joy as he listened to Jesus commending him for his faith.