From On Christian Citizenship, by Curt Smith
The story of the Roman centurion (commander of 100 soldiers) is both encouraging and disquieting at the same time. As we read the narrative found in Matthew 8:5-13, it is unmistakable that this officer of the occupying pagan army is a faith-filled man who receives, perhaps, Christ’s highest compliment aside from John the Baptist. But the contrast our Lord draws with those who are “supposed” to be spiritually discerning and faith-filled and those in whom he actually finds true faith is a caution for all of us.
This short story centers on the soldier who approaches Christ seeking healing for his servant. The officer’s concern for his servant is certainly laudable, and coming to Christ shows that he knows where to go for help. But then, after Christ asks where the servant is so He can go to Him, the centurion says he is unworthy for Christ to be in his home. He encourages Christ merely to command that he be healed, believing that is sufficient to bring about healing. Hear Christ’s response, beginning at Matthew 8:10:
Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who were following, “Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel.
“I say to you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven;
“but the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Again, a significant government official from the occupying power is not only commended by Christ for his faith, but he is lifted above the entire nation of Israel as an exemplar of spiritual devotion and maturity. God, of course, could use any number of figures from that time—or any number of occupations, for that matter—to create this teachable moment in Christ’s ministry. But the Bible captures forever that it was a government employee, a soldier no less, and one serving the pagan government of Caesar.
