A man had his faith praised by Jesus as a faith so great, pure, and intense as had not been found in Israel. And this man was a soldier, a centurion. And he was not a Jew, but a Roman. A man who used his intelligence to express such faith.

He served Rome and heard about Jesus. He had to keep the peace at a critical time in Israel’s history under Rome’s rule. The soldiers ensured that everyone paid taxes to Caesar and that there were no riots. So this Roman soldier, having to maintain public peace, heard about Jesus, who was gathering crowds (a kind of movement that, perhaps, would even bring him a problem). But he, having heard of Jesus, was intelligent enough to weigh all that he heard and saw.

When, one day, one of his servants fell ill and was close to death, this man went to his friends to ask for the help of the Lord Jesus, who undertook to go to the centurion’s house and heal the servant. But halfway there, the centurion sent a message saying, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof” (Luke 7:6). That is, indeed, the soldier felt guilt for the things he must have done for Rome to maintain order. He felt the weight of guilt. This attitude is rare. Usually, you find people thinking they are entitled. And the centurion already had that in his favour: humility.

“For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” (Luke 7:8,9).

And the servant was healed. That man manifested commendable faith because he understood the power of one’s word in authority. He was a soldier, and he knew the power of an order. He knew that when an authority was real and respected, that word was worth something. And, in this logic of faith, the soldier treated the Word of God with respect. What God says is law. Much more than the authorities of this world, God is the supreme authority. When a person hears the word of the boss or a doctor, they consider it. But, with the Word of God, they want to dispute.

Pay attention: God is Word. And whoever wants Him needs to believe. Whoever believes submits. If it is written, then I will obey.

In ancient times, people made contracts only by word of mouth. They agreed, shook hands, and the deal was done. What they had was the word. And the person did the impossible to keep their word. Sadly, those days are long gone. Today, even with a contract, people do not keep their word. But who is of God, values the word and is of the word. And they know that God is Word.

Reflect on this message through the video above.