Luke 7:1-10
Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum. And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die. And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this: For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.

Surely this centurion can be an example for us. First of all, he, a ruler of men, a commander of soldiers, cared very much about a servant, someone with no position or status. It seems this centurion valued him as a person and had a heart of love and compassion for somone who had served him. He also demonstrates care for his Jewish neighbors, building a synagogue in town for them to gather together, to worship, and to learn of God. He, as a Roman, was willing to look past national and political boundaries in order to love and care for his neighbors and do good to them.

But perhaps his greatest attribute, the one which causes Jesus to marvel, is his faith. First, he had faith to ask, to realize that he could make a request of Jesus. He honors Jesus as Lord, one in authority. He asks humbly. He asks selflessly. He asks with certainty, knowing that Jesus is able, that He has power in this situation. He views Jesus as someone worthy of trust and complete faith, knowing that His command even from afar was sufficient. And he asked with expectation of a response, not because of his own status or position, but because he understood Jesus’ status and position. So in the end, he receives what he asks for, a realization of his faith.

Here was a Gentile centurion living out Christian characteristics, responding to others in a godly way, loving his neighbors, having compassion, showing kindness, trusting God, living by faith. May we as followers of Christ adopt these things into our lives more fully every day. May we live out our faith by trusting God in those difficult moments, loving those around us, doing good for others, and being humble in our relationships and responsibilities.