Two posts ago, I talked about some examples of boldness and humility that can be seen in the book of Daniel (see post, Two Character Traits). While reading in the Gospels recently, I came across another impactful example of humility. It is found in the story of the centurion who implored Yeshua to heal his servant. Here is Matthew’s account of the incident:
Matthew 8:5-10 – “And when Yeshua entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, imploring Him, 6 and saying, ‘Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, fearfully tormented.’ 7 Yeshua said to him, ‘I will come and heal him.’ 8 But the centurion said, ‘Lord, I am not worthy for You to come under my roof, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, “Go!” and he goes, and to another, “Come!” and he comes, and to my slave, “Do this!” and he does it.’ 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.‘”
Let’s give some context to this story. A centurion was a Roman military officer who commanded a centuria, which consisted of about 100 men (Encyclopedia Brittanica). When speaking with Yeshua, the centurion referenced the Roman authority structure to which he was well-accustomed, demonstrating his trust in Yeshua’s authority to heal his servant. This is certainly a remarkable example of faith. Yeshua granted the centurion’s request, and the servant was healed that very moment (Matt 8:13).
There is something else that stands out to me here. In verse 8, this Roman centurion — a commander of 100 men — told Yeshua, “I am not worthy for You to come under my roof.” Is this not a neat example of the kind of humility we should have toward God? Regardless of our earthly position, we are all unworthy for the Creator of the Universe to step foot into our homes. Praise Yahweh, that He is gracious toward us.
The Gospel of Luke provides a more detailed account of this story which brings in some interesting nuggets.
Luke 7:1-10 – “When He had completed all His discourse in the hearing of the people, He went to Capernaum. And a centurion’s slave, who was highly regarded by him, was sick and about to die. 3 When he heard about Yeshua, he sent some Jewish elders asking Him to come and save the life of his slave. 4 When they came to Yeshua, they earnestly implored Him, saying, ‘He is worthy for You to grant this to him; 5 for he loves our nation and it was he who built us our synagogue.’ 6 Now Yeshua started on His way with them; and when He was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to Him, ‘Lord, do not trouble Yourself further, for I am not worthy for You to come under my roof; 7 for this reason I did not even consider myself worthy to come to You, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I also am a man placed under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, “Go!” and he goes, and to another, “Come!” and he comes, and to my slave, “Do this!” and he does it.’ 9 Now when Yeshua heard this, He marveled at him, and turned and said to the crowd that was following Him, ‘I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith.’ 10 When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.”
In Luke’s account, we are told that it was not, in fact, the centurion himself who went to Yeshua. Rather, the centurion sent friends and Jewish elders to implore Yeshua on his behalf. Apparently, this centurion had a kind heart toward the Jews, as can be seen from the elders’ statement in verse 5. Why didn’t the centurion go to Yeshua himself? Verse 7 tells us. Not only did the centurion consider himself unworthy to have Yeshua in his home — he did not even consider himself worthy to meet with Yeshua face to face! This centurion knew something about who Yeshua was.
All throughout the Gospels, Yeshua emphasizes the importance of humility. The Sermon on the Mount opens with, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 5:3). In Matthew 18:3-4, Yeshua says, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” May we have the kind of humility and faith in God that this Roman centurion had.
(Bible passages NASB 1995; Hebrew transl. and emphasis added.)
Exhortation Station 