He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.
Luke 7:6-10
Here we see the story of the Roman centurion who was requesting healing for his servant. He was recommended by Jesus’ disciples as a good man who had helped build a synagogue. When he encountered Jesus, he showed faith, humility and wisdom.
Jesus marveled in the fact that this Roman showed more faith than the Jews to whom Jesus had been teaching. I am guessing that this was both a rebuke to the Jews in the town, and an affirmation to a person who did not have a rich faith tradition.
It seems to work that way in the gospels, doesn’t it. That is the paradox of those who were to follow Jesus. People of various states and backgrounds were drawn to Jesus, not by the roots of faith tradition, but through humility and openness.
We need simple trust and humility to gain access to the riches of God’s grace.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for such powerful examples like the Roman centurion, Amen
Reflections of a Counselor 