Sunday, April 26, 2009

THE GREAT COMMANDER

Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-9

Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-9What was it about this Centurion, what did he see in Jesus that no one else in Israel saw, not even His own disciples? How did he obtain such great faith that it amazed Jesus? We know he heard about Jesus, but what was it he heard? Perhaps he listened in the courtyard while his servants spoke of this Jesus, how he healed people and delivered them from demon possession. Perhaps he heard of Levi the tax collector who was completely changed after one encounter with Jesus Christ. Maybe he heard the rumors of how Jesus turned water into wine in Cana. Perhaps he even led his soldiers to make sure the large crowds who gathered to listen to Jesus didn't get out of control and was astonished at the words, wisdom and authority of Jesus. "How is it that this Jesus heals?" he may have asked, he may have even seen himself. He commands was the response. Jesus didn't beg, plead or grovel, he didn't say lengthy prayers, he commanded people to be healed and they were, he commanded demons to come out and they did, and what did the demons say? "You are the Son of God!" Being a commander was something the Centurion totally understood, he had men he commanded and they had no choice but to obey. This Jesus didn't command men, he commanded in a realm that men could not see or understand, but the Centurion did, because whatever Jesus was commanding had no choice but to obey Him. Jesus, was his hope for the healing of his valued servant, but he felt unworthy to have such a great commander come to his home so he asked that Jesus just command the forces He controlled to heal his servant and the Great Commander honored his request.