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The Evangelist Luke gives a most vivid report of the healing of a heathen centurion’s servant. The healing itself is not the main thing, but that through this act Jesus was proved once again to be God’s Son.

Our attention is drawn to the heathen centurion. We are first told that the centurion’s servant was dear to him. This was rather unusual in those days and, therefore, it has been given considerable importance. Among other things in the report Luke also clearly says that the heathen centurion had a good relationship with the Jews. There are really two noteworthy points and reveal that this man did not lead a superficial life. This was because of his great faith and Jesus said: “I have not found such great faith in Israel.”

We say and know that faith is a divine gift. This is certainly true, but we should never forget that God looks at the heart. If it has been gifted to us, so that we are able to say, I believe!, then our relations with our fellowmen will be based on this faith. Our own position will not come in the way of our working for the lowly. Enmity due to human motives is not an insurmountable wall for those who believe in God and Christ. This Roman officer, inspite of all the odds, got along well with the Jews, (although the enmity between the Romans and Jews was deep rooted).

As we read in our text, the Jewish elders who were sent to plead with the Lord on behalf of the centurion spoke well of him. “When they came to Jesus, they besought Him earnestly saying that he was worthy for Whom he should do this: for he loveth our nation and he hath built us a synagogue.” This shows that love was practised and not given merely lip service.

All those who want to can find in the centurion’s behaviour an example against which they can measure themselves. The following words apply to all of us: “Faith without works-is dead.” (James 3:17).

It is both amazing and heartening to note the way this man based the fulfilment of his request on faith: “I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers who obey me. But you are the Lord! Only say a word and my servant shall be healed.” His faith was evident and his trust was not betrayed. “And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick!”

“Many who appear to be on the outside are not,” says St. Augustine, because unlike many Christians they recognized deeper truths and get their priorities right. Jesus said, “Many shall come from the East and West and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, but the children of the kingdom shall be cast into outer darkness: There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matt. 8:11-12). The Apostle Paul admonishes us, “Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith! Prove your own selves! Know ye not your own selves how that Jesus Christ is in you except ye be reprobates.” (2 Cor. 13:5).