What can you learn about the centurion?
- Good master who valued his servants and cared for them. He cared enough to ask help from the Jewish Rabbi.
- He had a good reputation and relationship with the Jewish community and leaders. They spoke well of him. As you can notice from their request to Jesus, “this man deserves it, for had loved our nation and built our synagogues.”
How did he know Jesus? What did he believe about Jesus? (V3 – 8)
- He had “heard of” Jesus. (V3)
- He believed that
- Jesus had power and authority to heal people.
- Jesus could heal his servant.
- Jesus’ power was not confined to space or location.
What did he think of himself?
- He recognized that he was not worthy enough to have Jesus come to his home.
- He also recognized that he did not deserve Jesus’ kindness towards his servant.
- Notice, how the Jesus leaders told Jesus that he “deserves” to have you do this (V4). While the Centurion did not consider himself worthy (V7).
- Being a Centurion and man of authority, he could have demanded Jesus to come to his home. But instead, he sent first the Jewish elders and then his friends.
Why was Jesus so amazed?
- Jesus was amazed at the Centurion’s faith. He said to his followers, “I have not found such great faith even in Israel.”
- He healed the servant “remotely” and sent the centurion’s friends back home.
- The most fascinating part of the story is that the servant was nowhere in the picture. (Jesus Heals Paralytic Man | Mark 2:1-12)
Life Applications
Humility is the mark of the follower of Jesus Christ. There is only one qualification to be the disciple of Jesus and that is to recognize that there is nothing in you to be qualified.
The unwavering faith in Jesus amazed Him and still amazes Him. (Also check Diving into the Unknown – Faith that Pleases God)
Isaiah 66:2 – “Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the LORD. “This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit.”
How will you believe and act in accordance with your faith in Jesus Christ today?
