Faith as strong as a Rock

Matthew 8:8,⁸ The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 

The Faith of the Centurion

Even though the Centurion had more than a hundred servants under him, he went to Jesus himself to plead for his servant. The servants were ready on his beck and call to do his bidding. We are all aware of the incident when friends of a paralyzed man removed the top of a roof and him lowered before Jesus so that the man could be healed. The Centurion’s faith is noticeable and is also the reason he is mentioned in the Bible, ⁹ 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.” The Centurion was well aware that Jesus is the Son of God and that he himself was a sinner.

The Centurion being aware of his sinner state said to Jesus that he is not worthy to receive Him in his house and a mere word from Jesus is enough to heal the servant. Jesus was amazed on hearing and seeing the faith. ¹⁰ When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. Jesus had healed many people. But this reaction from Jesus was never seen before, this amazement. Hence. Jesus says that no one in Israel has such great faith.

The words that Jesus says later is also important, ¹¹ I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. ¹² But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Revelation 22:11-12, ¹¹ Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy.¹² “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.“

The time is near for all those who are sinking in the pits of worldly desires without repenting from their sins and not believing in Jesus Christ. Think what would be their end????? I am not aiming at change of religion rather a change of heart and mind.

In the end, Jesus says to him, ¹³ Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment. Dear children of God, we too pray and plead before the Lord. But if your prayers are still unanswered, think is it because you lack the faith like that of the Centurion???? Let us also try and be humble and steadfast in faith like him. For this may we all reach out for the Holy Spirit and receive Him.

AMEN.