Luke 7:6b-10 FNV
The greatest light may enter into the darkest places. We may find the choicest flowers blooming where we least expected them. Here was a Gentile, a Roman, a soldier — a soldier clothed with absolute power — and yet a tender master, a considerate citizen, a lover of God! The best of pearls have been found in the darkest caves of ocean. Let no man think that because of his position in society he cannot excel in virtue. It is not the place which is to blame, but the man.
When you hear Christians making abject confessions, it is not that they are worse than others, but that they see themselves in clearer light than others; and this centurion's unworthiness was not because he had been more vicious than other men — on the contrary, he had evidently been much more virtuous than the common run of mankind — but because he saw what others did not see, and felt what others had not felt. Deep as was this man's contrition, overwhelming as was his sense of utter worthlessness, he did not doubt for a moment either the power or the willingness of Christ.
His faith was extraordinary. It ought not to be extraordinary. We ought all of us to believe as well in Christ as this soldier did. In his heart he enthroned the Lord Jesus as a Captain over all the forces of the world, as the generalissimo of heaven and earth; as, in fact, the Caesar, the imperial Governor of all the forces of the universe. Here is one point to which I recall you; this man's faith did not for a moment interfere with his thorough personal humiliation. Because Christ was so great, he felt himself to be unworthy either to meet Him or entertain Him.
We speak to distressed minds deeply conscious of their unworthiness. You feel that you cannot repent, but cannot Jesus make thee repent by His Spirit? He whose every act is wonderful, can surely do what He will within this little world of thy soul, since in the great world outside He rules as He pleases. Believe in His power, and ask Him to prove it. He has but to say in a word, and this matter of present distress shall be taken away.
When He saith, "Do" it shall be done, and His name shall be praised. O for more faith and more self-abasement.
(Excerpt from Charles Spurgeon's "The centurion's faith and humility")
They were not far from the house then the head soldier sent some messengers to say to him, "Honored One, I don't want you to bring trouble on yourself by coming into my house. That's why I didn't hink it wise to come to you myself. If you will only speak a word, my servant will be healed. I too am a man under orders and have many soldiers under me. I say to this one 'go' and he goes, and to another 'come' and he comes. My servants do what I say."
Creator Sets Free (Jesus) was amazed at this answer. He turned to the large crowd that was tiwh him and said, " I have never seen such great faith, not even among the tribes of Wrestles With Creator (Israel)."
When the elders returned to the head soldier, they found the servant well.
Luke 7:6-10 FNV