The Faith of The Centurion
Luke 7 Amplified Bible
2 Now a [Roman] [a]centurion’s slave, who was highly regarded by him, was sick and on the verge of death. 3 When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to Him, asking Him to come and save the life of his slave. 4 When they reached Jesus, they pleaded with Him earnestly [to come], saying, “He is worthy for You to do this for him, 5 because he loves our nation and he built us our synagogue [at his own expense].” 6 And Jesus went with them. But when He was near the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself further, for I am not worthy for You to come under my roof. 7 Therefore I did not even consider myself worthy to come to You. But just speak a word, and my slave will be healed. 8 For I also am a man subject to authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9 Now when Jesus heard this, He was amazed at him, and turned and said to the crowd that was following Him, “I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith [as this man’s].” 10 When the messengers who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.
A centurion was a professional military officer in the ancient Roman army who commanded a unit of roughly 80 to 100 soldiers known as a century (centuria). They held a level of authority roughly equivalent to a modern Captain or Major. The above scripture depicts a “dialogue” that Jesus finds profound. The centurion’s words held such depth because he had a revelation of Jesus’s authority and who the source of His authority is.
Roman officers responded to the power of the Emperor or provincial governors. Thereby, they were granted the ability to give orders to their soldiers. They knew their soldiers would be obedient and that the instruction which they spoke would be carried out.
Similarly, all authority (all power of absolute rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus by God (Matthew 28:18). He has rule in the spirit realm and is recognized by demons and angels alike as King. Therefore, just as when a Centurion gives an instruction and it is so, when Jesus speaks a declaration in the spirit realm, it will also be. What great faith did the centurion have to fully trust that in order for his slave to be healed, all Jesus had to do was declare it.
How often do we find ourselves in a cycle of worry, fear, doubt, failing to see who our Father is?
As followers of Christ, we must also have this same faith. We have to trust in the authority of He who rules in heaven and earth, knowing that if He has spoken a word, it is already done.