The Servant of the Roman Centurion

In Matthew 8:5-13, the centurion, a Roman officer over one hundred soldiers, came to Jesus and implored Him concerning one of his servants who was suffering greatly. Jesus agreed to go to the man's house and heal this servant. The centurion said, "Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,' and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,' and he does it."

This man understood the power and authority of spoken commands, and believed that all Jesus had to do was to "speak a word" and the power of the Lord's word would heal the servant. Jesus was impressed, and commented to those who were following Him that He hadn't witnessed this kind of faith among those who should have had faith. "I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!" Jesus then told the centurion, "Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you." The servant was immediately healed.

Jesus was not concerned or in any way intimidated that this man was a Roman soldier. Jesus recognized that this man was selflessly concerned about the well-being of those he was responsible for. The centurion believed without a shred of doubt that the Lord's words are powerful and authoritative. Although this man of such great faith is never named, he still serves as a tremendous example for all who love God's Word and seek the healing words of Jesus.