"Not even in Israel have I found such faith"

Scripture: Matthew 8:5-11

5 As he entered Caper'na-um, a centurion came forward to him, beseeching him 6 and saying, "Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, in terrible distress." 7 And he said to him, "I will come and heal him." 8 But the centurion answered him, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, `Go,' and he goes, and to another, `Come,' and he comes, and to my slave, `Do this,' and he does it." 10 When Jesus heard him, he marveled, and said to those who followed him, "Truly, I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such faith. 11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and sit at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven

Reflection: What can we learn about faith from a Roman centurion? In the Roman army, a centurion is a commander of a hundred soldiers. He should not only be courageous but must possess outstanding leadership to earn the respect of his men. One word of command and his men obey him, even in the thick of battle where their lives are at risk. He knew that he is a man whose command is obeyed without question. 

The centurion knew by faith that Jesus possesses supreme authority that even supernatural forces obey His command.  Even if he was a man of influence and stature in the Roman empire, he approached Jesus who was a humble Jewish preacher. (Israel was under Roman rule then). He risked the ridicule of his peers as well as the Israelites. But his faith made him submit to Jesus' power. What is more admirable is his humility was all for the benefit of his servant. 

Jesus is pleased with faith that makes us humbly submit to His power. We should realize that without Him we can do nothing. That is why the Lord never fails to reward those who are humble enough to call on Him with faith.