Tues.’s Devo - The Centurion’s Faith

Read Luke 7:1-10 Jesus did thousands of miracles, but the writers of the New Testament were led to tell the story of only a few. Matthew and Luke, both tell this story. It is a picture of what faith should look like and how powerful God is. Let’s look first at the centurion. A centurion is a Roman soldier who has been entrusted with 100 men. This soldier had a pastor’s heart and loved his men. One of his servants was dying and he wanted him healed at any cost. He apparently feared God because he had built a synagogue and was a known patriot. He sent the Jewish elders, since they would know how to approach Jesus to ask Jesus to come to his house and heal his servant. Jesus agreed to come, but on his way he was met by friends of the centurion with news from him. He had changed his mind about Jesus coming to see him because he was not worthy for Jesus to come under his roof. Then he gave them a lesson on authority and how it works. The commander says a command and it is obeyed. Since Jesus is the commander of the spiritual world, all he has to do is command and it will happen. Jesus was amazed at his understanding and faith. Matthew tells us that Jesus told him to go his way because his servant was healed - and he was. What a picture of how prayer works. Jesus and the centurion never met face to face. They communicated through messengers. Jesus never had to physically lay a hand on the man. His declaration and the centurion’s declaration healed the man. When we agree with what God’s word says we will have what we say. Lord, help us to agree with you over what you want to do today.