To follow Jesus means to have faith in him; faith like the centurion's. Jesus commended the faith of the centurion. It is worth noting that the centurion is a Gentile and Jesus comments that he had not seen such faith in Israel. This faith is independent of ethnicity. While the centurion was a Gentile, he was able to recognize that Jesus is the Messiah promised. His faith took him to trust in Jesus for the healing of his servant.
The centurion’s faith moved him to see Jesus’ authority and power and to humbly submit to it. The fact that he had authority and power allowed him to understand that just like he could command others, Jesus could command the healing by his word. It is a fact that any Jew who would walk into a Gentile home would become unclean and the centurion spares Jesus the trouble of going to his home.
Jesus points out that the faith of the centurion will get him to enjoy the final banquet in the kingdom of heaven with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Unfortunately, many Israelites will suffer a different fate: to be thrown into the outer darkness because they did not recognize him as the Messiah, had no faith.
Father, may I have faith like the centurion. A faith that transcends ethnicity, recognizes Jesus as the Messiah, and willingly submits to his power and authority.
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