Advent Monday First week
A centurion was a military leader in the Roman army. His title means "commander of a hundred"; but a centurion may not have been a commander of a literal hundred soldiers. He may have been responsible for more than a hundred! At any rate, he was clearly a Roman commander of great significance.
This centurion was a humble man, a sensitive man deeply concerned for his servant, a man devoted to the needs of others rather to his own, a man who believed in the power of prayer. Ordinarily, a hardened Roman leader wouldn't be so personally affected when a servant became sick. But this centurion clearly loved and cared deeply for this "boy" who was his "servant". He was willing to go out of his way to save his beloved servant's life.
It is a mark of Christ-like character when we, who are in positions of leadership, show loving concern and care for those who are under us. That's how our Master Jesus treats us. Do those who are under you, or who work for you, know that they are loved by you? Do you love them so much that you bring them to Jesus?
In his request of Jesus, the Centurion teaches us much about prayer. First, when we go to Jesus for help, we ought to go confidently, knowing that he hears us. Secondly, our prayer ought to be selfless, on behalf of others and not in our own self-interest. Thirdly, our prayer should be rooted in the conviction that it will be answered.
His faith stands out because it is one that was placed confidently and completely in Jesus' authority as the Son of God. Matthew, under the leading of the Holy Spirit, encourages us to have the same sort of faith as the centurion.
A centurion was a military leader in the Roman army. His title means "commander of a hundred"; but a centurion may not have been a commander of a literal hundred soldiers. He may have been responsible for more than a hundred! At any rate, he was clearly a Roman commander of great significance.
This centurion was a humble man, a sensitive man deeply concerned for his servant, a man devoted to the needs of others rather to his own, a man who believed in the power of prayer. Ordinarily, a hardened Roman leader wouldn't be so personally affected when a servant became sick. But this centurion clearly loved and cared deeply for this "boy" who was his "servant". He was willing to go out of his way to save his beloved servant's life.
It is a mark of Christ-like character when we, who are in positions of leadership, show loving concern and care for those who are under us. That's how our Master Jesus treats us. Do those who are under you, or who work for you, know that they are loved by you? Do you love them so much that you bring them to Jesus?
In his request of Jesus, the Centurion teaches us much about prayer. First, when we go to Jesus for help, we ought to go confidently, knowing that he hears us. Secondly, our prayer ought to be selfless, on behalf of others and not in our own self-interest. Thirdly, our prayer should be rooted in the conviction that it will be answered.
His faith stands out because it is one that was placed confidently and completely in Jesus' authority as the Son of God. Matthew, under the leading of the Holy Spirit, encourages us to have the same sort of faith as the centurion.
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