The merciful & humble Centurion Matthew 8:5-13 Sermon Notes from July 1989
ROMANS 12:16 “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.”
EPHESIANS 4:2 “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. “
PHILIPPIANS 2:3 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. “
COLOSSIANS 3:12 “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
1 PETER 5:5-6 “Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”
I want you all today to consider the wonderful gift of humility. Being humble is a spiritual gift from God. God frequently gives the gift of humility to those who He will especially chose to lead His people. Moses, that great man of God is described in the Old Testament as the most humble man who ever lived. And the blessed Virgin mother of Christ, Mary, is chosen by God because she is humble. The great and powerful God chooses the humble to reveal Himself to the world.
Now consider today’s Gospel lesson. A centurion, a Roman army officer, comes to see Jesus. He is a man in authority and rightfully expects his wishes to be obeyed. He is part of the conquering Roman empire. Jesus is one poor conquered Jew, with no human authority, no power, no prestige. The Centurion is used to giving commands, which others must obey. The Centurion is used to ordering his soldiers and servants around to serve him.
Now admire this powerful, commanding and victorious soldier, for in our lesson, he becomes a model of humility. The Centurion who is used to commanding others to do his bidding, goes forth in humility to seek Christ. The soldier who is used to having others come to him to beg for mercy, goes begging mercy from Christ.
The commander who is used to having servants obey his messages, goes forth to carry a message for his servant. The man who is tended to by servants, now goes forth to serve his servant. A soldier who had conquered the Jews, admits he is not worthy to have Jesus the Jew come into his house. My friends think about the centurion’s humility. He shows great compassion for someone who suffers. This soldier becomes an intercessor for his beloved slave. This commander recognizes that he is unworthy to have Jesus the Messiah in his home. This conquering soldier is not loud, boastful, demanding. He comes quietly to Jesus, begging for mercy, not for himself but for his servant. Serving others, the sense of unworthiness, being quiet, realizing that others are greater than yourself, not demanding your own way. I encourage you to look at yourself, and how you approach Christ in your neighbors and family. I encourage you to develop that deep sense of humility, realizing your own sins and faults, being patient with others, not demanding your own way but always being willing to serve.
