“And Jesus said unto the Centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour” Matthew 8:13
Centurions were a symbol of power to the Jewish community in the first century. These powerful Roman soldiers were mighty men of war who served the empire for twenty or more years on average. Most Centurions in authority rose to their positions from within the ranks over a period of many years. After decades of service, Centurions became well-respected members of the equestrian class (similar to knighthood) upon retirement. Because of this ranking structure, Centurions had a great deal of reverence for individuals in authority; they themselves not able to become high officials easily or immediately.
When Jesus arrived in Capernaum, this mighty warrior, a high ranking Centurion came to him asking for help. This was odd, as Centurions traditionally participated in pagan religious oaths to the emperor of Rome thus would likely be a skeptic of “the Christ”. There was great urgency with the Centurions request. We know this because a Centurion of higher social status, such as this man, would rarely utter a direct request to a profound rabbi such as Jesus unless, of course, he was desperate. The Centurion spoke of a servant who was at his home paralyzed and in terrible suffering. Roman soldiers were not permitted to have legal families during their decades of military service. Therefore, this slave was probably the Centurion’s only "family". The slave was likely all he had.
After hearing his earnest request, Jesus said to the centurion, "I will come and heal him." Jesus offered this man what every individual in need of help desires; a house call. Jesus agreed to travel to this mans home where he would no doubt lay hands on the ailing slave and the slave would surely recover. Now, here is the amazing part of the story. The Centurion did something which astounded even Jesus; he turned down the once-in-a-lifetime offer for Jesus to come to his home.
Why?
The Centurion explained to Jesus that he understood the implication of a person in authority. He, himself had great authority and could attest to how people were made to respond to his every wish. The Centurion knew that Jesus, being the son of the God of Abraham, had even greater authority than he. Jesus had authority over all things. The Centurion was convinced that Jesus could command sickness to leave his home from anywhere on earth and that sickness would obey. So, by faith, the Centurion told Jesus, “Just speak the Word”. In other words, he told Jesus, “Work a miracle for me from right where you stand, I know it will be done”.
The bible says that Jesus “marveled” at what the Centurion said. Jesus said, "I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith”. To find a gentile with absolute faith in him was astonishing. In verses 11 and 12 Jesus took the time to point out that many gentiles like this man who at that time would have thought to be lost will be included in the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! It will be done just as you believed it would." And the bible says his servant was healed at that very hour. Isn’t that incredible! While the Centurion stood there, Jesus sent healing to his home miles away. Because of the Centurion’s faith, a miracle arrived at his house.
Would you, standing in front of Jesus, ask him to just send his Word or would you demand that Jesus travel to your home just to “be sure”? Would you believe that his Word is enough and it will not return to him void or would you want to see the miracle before you let Jesus out of your site? How about right now? Do you believe the Word of God is enough in your situation today or are you looking for other answers to address what is wrong in your life? Do you have enough faith to declare the Blood of Jesus over sickness; over insufficiency; over your future and then walk around confident that your miracle is done?
It will take that kind of faith in the power of Jesus Christ to receive what you’ve been praying for all this time. It will take absolute faith in Christ for healing to arrive at your home. It takes unwavering faith for the deliverance that you need. Put all of your faith in Christ right now and Jesus himself will “marvel” in your decision to believe in Him rather than search for a Pagan source for answers. He will “marvel” that you have heard him in your spirit calling you to trust in him from now on. And because of your great faith, he will send peace from right where you are into your home today. Joy will settle in your life in this same hour. Faith comes by hearing; and hearing by the Word of God. So get the Word, find “marvelous” faith in the Word, and then just speak the Word. Order up a miracle to have sent to your house right away.
