The Faith of the Centurion

Luke 7:1-10

Last time, we heard Jesus’ teaching about the wise builder who built his house on the rock. No matter how much we believe, if we do not put our faith into action, we may not realize our weaknesses.

When we actually practice our faith, we can see what we lack and prepare for it.
Do we just say, “Everything will be fine” and believe without thinking? Or do we ask, “Is this really true?” and test our faith through actions?
The difference between these two attitudes is as big as the difference between the five wise virgins and the five foolish virgins in Jesus’ parable.

When we try to live according to God’s Word, we can know what is truly important and prepare for it.

As we practice “Love your neighbor”, we eventually come to “Love your enemy.”
Then, we realize our own limitations and understand God’s grace more deeply.
Just like the servant who owed 10,000 talents, we learn to forgive others for smaller offenses.
As time goes by, we understand God’s grace more and our faith and love for Him grow deeper.
Through that faith, we also bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

The relationship between a good tree and good fruit is the same.
Today’s passage gives an example of a person with great faith—the centurion.

In Luke 7:10, Jesus praised the centurion’s faith and was amazed by it.
This story is not only about faith, but also shows the results (fruits) of true faith.

Now, let’s look at what we can learn from the centurion and how we should prepare our faith.

1️⃣ True Faith Respects Others

A believer must have faith that respects and values those in lower positions.

The centurion was a Roman officer who commanded 100 soldiers.
Today, he would be like a general. He had many soldiers under him, yet he deeply cared for his servant.

📖 Luke 7:2
“There was a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, who was sick and about to die.”

The Bible does not just say “a servant”—it says “highly valued.”

📌 In the ESV Bible, the centurion’s servant is described as
“highly valued by him.”
This means the centurion loved and cherished his servant.

This was not normal in that time.

Roman law did not require masters to love or care for their servants.
Many masters treated servants like tools—easily replaced if they got sick or weak.

Even today, many employers do not take responsibility for their workers’ illnesses.

If an employee becomes sick, many companies just replace them.
Few employers would personally care for a dying worker like the centurion did.

Imagine a business owner today who:

Deeply cares for employees
Supports churches
Maintains good relationships with pastors
But is not a Christian

What would you think about this person? 🤔

Jesus did not look at the centurion’s religion—He praised his faith!

📌 Where did the centurion’s faith come from?

Was it from reading the Scriptures?
Was it from following Jewish laws?
No! His faith came from the Holy Spirit.

📌 Acts, written by Luke, is also called “The Acts of the Holy Spirit.”

The centurion’s faith was a work of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus was amazed at his faith because it was Spirit-given faith.

2️⃣ True Faith Loves Even Enemies

The centurion was a Roman officer, yet he had a good relationship with the Jewish people.

Romans and Jews were enemies—Romans ruled over Israel, and the Jews hated them.
But the centurion earned the respect and love of the Jewish elders.

📌 How do we know?

In Luke 7:3-5, the Jewish elders went to Jesus on behalf of the centurion.
The centurion even built a synagogue for the Jews.

This shows that the centurion:

Respected Jewish culture and religion
Helped the people he was supposed to rule over
Loved and served those who considered him an enemy

📌 Jesus said, “A good tree bears good fruit.”

The centurion’s good fruit showed that he was a good tree.
He was a man of true faith.

3️⃣ True Faith is Humble and Considerate

A person with true faith is humble and thinks of others.

Even though the centurion had high status, he:

Did not misuse his power
Respected Jewish customs
Showed great humility before Jesus

📖 Luke 7:6-7

The centurion said, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof.”
Instead, he asked Jesus to “just say the word”, and his servant would be healed.

📌 Why did the centurion say this?

Jewish law forbade Jews from entering Gentile homes.
The centurion was concerned that Jesus might be criticized for coming into his house.

So, he humbly said, “Just speak the word, and my servant will be healed.”

He understood the power of Jesus’ word.
His faith did not require signs or miracles—he trusted in Jesus completely.

📌 Because of this faith, Jesus said in Luke 7:9:
“I have not found such great faith even in Israel!”

4️⃣ What is True Faith?

What kind of faith does Jesus praise?

Is it going to church regularly?
Is it reading the Bible daily?
Yes, these are important, but true faith must bear fruit in life.

Today, many churches focus only on rules and traditions.

Some churches misuse their power instead of serving others.
Some believers act harshly toward outsiders and the weak.
Some mix faith with politics and lose sight of Jesus.

📌 This is the mistake the Pharisees made.

They loved the Scriptures, but they rejected Jesus.
They knew the Law, but they had no love.

Conclusion: The Faith That Jesus Seeks

Jesus is looking for true faith like the centurion’s.

A faith that loves others.
A faith that respects people, regardless of nationality or status.
A faith that humbly trusts in Jesus’ word.

🙏 May we have the true faith that pleases Jesus.
May we be like the centurion—a person of love, humility, and trust in Jesus.

📖 “Faith is nothing without love.” (1 Corinthians 13:2)

I pray that we will all have the faith that brings joy to God.
In Jesus’ name, Amen. 🙏✨

The Faith of the Centurion