THE CENTURION'S COMMENDABLE FAITH

WEDNESDAY, 13TH JULY, 2022.

THE CENTURION'S COMMENDABLE FAITH 

MEMORISE: "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!" (Luke 7:9)

SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 7:1-10.

"Now when He concluded all His sayings in the  hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum. And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear  to him, was sick and ready to die. So when he  heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to  Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his  servant. And when they came to Jesus, they  begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for  whom He should do this was deserving, “for  he loves our nation, and has built us a  synagogue.” 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. Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to  come to You. But say the word, and my servant  will be healed. 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.” 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. 

EXPOSITION

A centurion is the Roman Army commander in charge of 100 soldiers, with quite a lot of autority, being directly in contact with the soldiers. The office was normally the highest an ordinary soldier could rise to. He had many duties besides maintaining discipline within the ranks. The centurion in today's Scripture reading was a gentile, but possessed some godly virtues that caught Jesus' attention (Lk. 10:25-37). Hence, Jesus was amazed at his rare faith. Here are some of the spectacular things about him:

1.  HE CARED: 'And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him' (v. 2). Can you imagine a mere servant being dear to this highly placed man? How many masters would be that concerned about their servants?

2.  HE RECOGNISED AND ACKNOWLEDGED: This man heard about Jesus and acknowledged Him as Lord that has power and authority to heal the sick (v. 3).

3.  HE WAS DESERVING because of his challenging testimony (v. 4): He deserved the healing he requested for, by popular opinion.

4.  HE LOVED: 'for he love our nation' (5a). The centurion loves the people and it is known to the people that he loved them and their nation.

5.  HE GAVE TO GOD AND HIS PEOPLE (v. 5b). He built a worship place for the people to show his interest in them and their religion: 'and has built us a synagogue' (v. 5b).

6.  HE WAS HUMBLE: 'For I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof. Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You' (vv. 6b,7a).

7.  HE HAD GREAT FAITH. His faith in the Word of God was unprecedented: 'I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel' (v. 9b).

These being a mirror, and you stand before it, what do you see about yourself? Think, and make amends where necessary.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Lord, help me to continue to see myself in the mirror of Your Word, and grant me the grace to make the necessary amends.

2. Lord, give me holiness, care, concern, faith, love, humility, and reverence for You.

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR – Proverbs 1-3.

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