6 So Jesus went with them.
He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: "Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed.
Faith coupled with humility amazes our Master. This pagan Roman centurion (a commander of 100 soldiers) was unlike most of that day. The Jewish elders appeared to think highly of him as they pleaded earnestly for his cause (verse 4) saying that he loved the Jewish nation and had built their synagogue (verse 5). This Roman officer had a beloved, highly valued servant who had fallen ill and was about to die. On hearing of Jesus and realizing his own inadequacy, this centurion asked the Jewish elders to approach The Healer and plead his case, asking for His healing touch towards his servant. Our verses for today are what ensued. True humility; is it not a glistening rare jewel amidst the pasty dime store variety of the false humility of our day? How it shines “like stars in the universe” (Philippians 2:15) manifesting the very attitude of Christ Jesus. Scripture often deals with us on humility. We are told: Whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, him will I not endure. Psalms 101:5 (NIV) 12 Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. Prov 18:12 (NIV)
"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." James 4:6 (NIV) 5 Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:5-7 (NIV)
Humility before honor; opposition to the proud in heart but grace to the humble – sounds like a no brainer to me! You see, God battles against the proud but will bestow undeserved favor or grace towards the humble in heart. The call for every believer is to shun pride and submit humbly to God’s authority so that He will lift us up. The Bible Knowledge Commentary states that the “cure for conflict is a humble spirit which is rewarded by God’s unmerited favor”. Paul tells us: 18 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. 2 Cor 10:18 (NIV) May we always seek after the commendation of the Lord! Besides humility, this Roman centurion displayed great faith claiming a word from The Word would heal his servant. How true, how true! A word from Christ can calm a sea (Matthew 8:26); feed five thousand with a prayer (John 6:11); raise the dead (John 11:43-44); and whatever other need we may have! All power, glory and might belong to Him and Him alone! He is able to do “exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or imagine”. The centurion realized this and gave this proclamation of faith to be told to Jesus. God is into doing wondrous things that are too hard for us to do! Do you want to know why? So that we will not be tempted to rely on ourselves and so that there will be no question on Whom the glory rests! Paul tells us: 8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. 9 Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 2 Cor 1:8-10 (NIV)
Was Jesus pleased with this centurion? Luke 7:9-10 tells us: 9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel." 10 Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well. Luke 7:9-10 (NIV) Sounds like a commendation to me!