Humility of Belief

It is interesting that the Jews should speak so highly of someone who occupied their country. Roman centurions had power and were not universally liked. This man was different; he respected the people of Israel and the faith they held. In return, they respected him and wanted his servant to be healed. It is also interesting that the anxiety is over a servant, not a son or daughter, nor a ruler or leader. Servants were of no particular significance, but the centurion has affection and concern for another human being. In asking Jesus to heal this servant he acknowledges his own powerlessness and need of help.

It shouldn’t surprise us when he speaks of his unworthiness to receive Jesus. He doesn’t pull rank over others; a man humble enough to know himself. But it is still surprising that his faith is so strong. The belief that Jesus can heal at a distance goes way beyond the faith of most Jews. Jesus himself is amazed.

This incident certainly points us to the power of Christ’s healing, and it also points to what we can learn about faith from unlikely sources. The Roman centurion was a believer with an unexpected quality of belief. He was also a believer who shows us unexpected qualities of Christian leadership. He acknowledges the authority of Jesus, which comes before his own position and power. He has utter trust in Jesus, which enables him to ask for what he believes to be right. He has complete humility before Jesus, which leaves him without ego or self-importance. He has a cooperative spirit, which works with others so a miracle can be released. The paradox is that true leadership never comes from superiority over others; only from humility of heart before God.

Read again the last paragraph above. Use the qualities evidenced in the Roman Centurion as a yardstick to evaluate where you are spiritually and how you can grow.