The Untold Story of the Roman Army Officer

Many of us know the story of the Centurion who shocked Jesus by his faith (If not, please take a moment and read Luke 7:1-10). Jesus was so pleased by his faith, that he said, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith" (Luke 7:9).

This Roman army officer not only showed faith in daring to make his request to Jesus, but he also showed great humility in his approach. As Jesus neared his home, the officer sent friends to stop Jesus, saying "Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof" (Luke 7:6). The Centurion recognized that it was against Jewish custom for Jesus to enter his home. Nevertheless, He respected the authority that Jesus operates under and the authority that He has, and said, "But say the word, and let my servant be healed." (Luke 7:7)

Obviously, Jesus was greatly pleased with the Centurion. We know this because of Jesus' words and healing after this exchange. This Centurion teaches us the importance of humility and the power of faith. BUT, I think there is another lesson that we can sometimes miss when reading this story. This lesson is LOVE.

My Bible concordance tells me that a Roman officer has charge over 100 men. I don't know if the servant who was sick was an army man or a house servant, but regardless, I am pretty sure that this individual was easily replaceable. Even still, this Centurion is somehow burdened enough by the sickness of this one servant to venture across social and custom boundaries, in order to make the servant well. I don't know about you, but that sounds like LOVE to me. It sounds like LOVE motivated the centurion to the humility needed to approach Jesus and the faith required to move Jesus.

The Centurion's urgency reminds me of the urgency we see in the Parable of the Lost Sheep, when Jesus says, "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn't he leave the ninety in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous who do not need to repent." (Luke 15:4-7)

I believe that God wants us to have the urgency of the Centurion and the shepherd in the parable, that if a brother or sister is sick or lost, not just physically but spiritually, we might be propelled by genuine LOVE to do all that we can to bring them back into the life-giving presence of the Most High. When David fought off lions and bears to rescue his sheep, he should have been afraid, but LOVE drove out all fear. When the Centurion made this request to Jesus, he should have been afraid of the social implications, but once again, LOVE drove out all fear.

When God leads you to scary and uncomfortable places so that you can be a blessing to those around, don't just ask God to take away the fear, pray that He gives you a heart of genuine LOVE. That way, your LOVE for your Father and your LOVE for the people He has called you to serve will drive out all fear and will move you into action.

"And now these three remain; faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love." - 1 Corinthians 13:13

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear,.."- 1 John 4:18

Peace and Love, 

David