A Certain Centurion

"Now when He had ended all His sayings in the audience of the people, He entered into Capernaum. And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die. And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto Him the elders of the Jews, beseeching Him that He would come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they besought Him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom He should do this: for he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. Then Jesus went with them. And when He was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying unto Him, Lord, trouble not Thyself; for I am not worthy that Thou shouldest enter under my roof: wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto Thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned Him about, and said unto the people that followed Him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick." Luke 7:1-10.
The centurion, unlike the Syrophenician woman, made no attempt to approach the Lord as Son of David. His request was channeled through the Jewish elders. As they carried this message to Jesus, they also gave this admirable man a remarkable commendation. "He loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue." True love for God's people transcends human sentiment, is governed by the Word of God, and is exhibited in intensely practical ways. (Matt. 25:35-40; Heb. 6:10; 1 John 3:18; 5:2.)
According to the Jews' estimation, this centurion was proclaimed worthy, but in his own eyes he judged himself unworthy. (Prov. 27:2.) Faith differs from presumption in that faith is marked by humility and confidence in God. Presumption attempts to exalt the one who boasts about himself.
Besides being marked by humility and love for the people of God, the centurion recognized that the Lord Jesus was a Man set under authority. Additionally, he recognized that his own authority over the soldiers, commanding them to obedience, was the result of his place of subjection to a higher authority. It was to the authority he represented that the soldiers ultimately rendered compliance.
By faith the centurion saw that the Lord Jesus in perfect manhood had taken a place of subjection to God. He knew the Lord Jesus need only say a word and his servant would be healed, for with Him was all the power of God and authority even over sickness.
How precious it is to contemplate the Lord Jesus in this setting. Truly He is the everlasting Word, the Mighty God, the Prince of the kings of the earth and Head over all things, yet how blessed to think of Him as a Man set under authority. Is not the place of subjection elevated before us, as we view the One who willingly took that place in lowly grace?
As we consider the Lord Jesus as a Man set under authority, we may well challenge our own hearts as to what measure we have practically demonstrated that we, too, are persons set under authority. Do we "go," "come" and "do" as He bids us?
Christendom boasts of numbers, talent, political influence, grandiose buildings and outward show, only to grieve the Lord's heart and give evidence how far she has fallen. In happy contrast, here was a man who could say of himself, as well as of Jesus, that he was a man set under authority. It was this declaration accompanied with the expressed confidence in the Lord's ability to heal that brought from the Lord's lips those memorable words, "I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel." To appreciate the Lord Jesus as a Man set under authority and to accept that place for ourselves is another testimony of great faith.
Never is the believer exhorted to disobey any subordinate authority, but rather always to obey God, the supreme authority. When one must go contrary to the demands of a subordinate authority, it is only in order to render obedience to the highest authority. Disobedience is never countenanced in Scripture. If there is true subjection to God and Christ, who has been exalted to the preeminent place in Manhood while never relinquishing His Deity, there will be manifest and consistent subjection to all other authority established by God.
The government, employers, assembly, parents and husbands are each invested with authority from God. Our subjection to Him will be readily discerned if we honor and submit to these delegated authorities. For one to claim obedience and subjection to God while manifestly flaunting, taunting, and otherwise despising God's established authority is mockery and rebellion. Compare 2 Peter 2:10 and Jude 8, 9.
Those who occupy positions of authority are to be prayed for, honored and obeyed, not resisted, spoken evil of, or railed against. (Rom. 13:1-7; Eph. 6:1-8; Col. 3:18-25; 1 Tim. 2:1, 2; 1 Peter 2:17,18.) The manner in which they use or abuse that authority is a matter for which they must give account to God.
As God found immeasurable delight in His Son who in obedience fulfilled all His will, so, too, He will find pleasure in us as we bow to His faithful Word and give evidence that we are persons set under authority.
Features of great faith are:
1. Accepting Christ's Word to us and of us.
2. Taking the place of meriting no blessing because of what we are, yet claiming it because of who He is.
3. Loving and humbly serving the people of God.
4. Valuing the place of subjection the Lord Jesus assumed.
5. Following in the same path as the Lord Jesus.
Such may appear to be weakness by the world's standards, but it is, in fact, the fruit of great faith in which God finds delight.