Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Matthew 8:8-9 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. 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."
THEY GOT IT: THE CENTURIONS
The Greek historian Polybius (203-120 BC) reports that Roman centurions weren't chosen because of their bold acts in battle, but because of their thoughtfulness, dependability and resolve. These career soldiers were the real backbone of the Roman army.
The passages above don't tell us much about this centurion's wisdom in battle, but when it came to Jesus, he got it. That is, he understood the power of Jesus. To him it seemed quite obvious. This Jesus had power over the creation like a centurion had power over his hundred men. If he said the word, it was done.
Jesus was impressed by this man's faith in Him. In fact, Jesus remarked that He hadn't seen faith like this in all of Israel. At the risk of sounding redundant, I'll say it again: the centurion believed that if Jesus said it, it was as good as done.
And this centurion wasn't the only one who got it. When our Savior cried out and breathed His last on the cross, there was another thoughtful, dependable centurion stationed below. He had been looking on and weighing it all. His conclusion was this, "Surely this man was the Son of God!" (Mark 15:39).
These two dependable men give us a couple of pillars of truth to live by: If Jesus says it's done, it is. If Jesus says it, it's true.
"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26). --Jesus
