unworthy yet worthy

When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.”

Luke 7:6

Jesus saw in the humble admission of a Roman centurion great faith — a faith in Him that not even His closest followers yet had. The centurion submitted  himself to the absolute authority of Jesus. He saw the relationship between Lordship and Jesus’ healing power. And for that reason he was hesitant to have Jesus, a Jewish rabbi he respected, enter his gentile home. The centurion submitted to the authority of the Law and of the Lord.

Instead, in faith, the centurion bowing in submission to all that He knew God taught and Christ displayed, choose to believe that Jesus had so much authority as God that He could just command for the sick servant to be healthy —- like a centurion commanding his troops. And that is exactly the way Jesus wanted this man to believe.

Jesus honored the centurion’s faith. His servant was made completely well. The authority of Jesus was displayed indisputably. And a man who thought Himself unworthy of grace was gifted grace beyond measure.