The Centurions
01
The Centurion seeks Jesus to heal his servant (Luke 7:1-10)
The centurion had heard and received God's Word through his relationship with Jewish elders. The Jewish elders that approached Jesus on the centurion's behalf told Jesus he loved the nation and built a synagogue. He believed in Jesus and His authority to heal. He further understood the the power of God's spoken Word. His believed that the same God who spoke and created all things, could likewise speak the Word and heal his servant. He openly declared his faith in God and received his miracle. To be sure, the centurion would go one to testify of what Jesus had done for him and the power and authority of Jesus's Word.
02
The Centurion at the Cross (Acts 10:23-48)
Luke's gospel records that: "And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” Now the centurion, and those who were with him keeping guard over Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the things that were happening, they were terribly frightened and filled with awe, and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”The centurion had been in charge of overseeing crucifixions before. He had seen the horror of this penalty and the tremendous agony of its victims. Yet, he witnessed that Jesus's response in this ordeal was very different. He heard Jesus ask God to forgive them for they didn't know what they were doing. He heard Jesus commit his mother's care to John, and to tell one of the thieves crucified with him that he would be with Him in paradise. The centurion heard Jesus cry out to the Father that His work (our salvation) was finished. Finally, he heard Jesus commit his Spirit into the hands of the Father. Weeks prior Jesus had asked his disciples But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. Likewise, the Father revealed in the centurion's heart that Jesus was the Son of God. The Words of Christ on the cross, the earth's quaking and darkness that filled that hour all confirmed for the centurion that Jesus was truly the Son of God. Like Peter, the centurion declared out loud what God had revealed in his heart. Thus, Jesus received a Jewish thief at the cross into His kingdom prior to His death, and a Roman centurion immediately after his last Words on the cross.
03
The Centurion receives the Holy Spirit (ACTS 10:23-48)
An angel appeared to the Roman Centurion, Cornelius and told him "Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter." Once Peter arrived at Cornelius' home, Cornelius said, "Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.” Peter said: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all..."
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
Like the centurion whose servant Jesus healed, Cornelius exercised his faith in the Word he received. He prayed to God and gave to the poor. God heard his prayers and directed Peter to go to Cornelius and share more Word to Cornelius and his family. During Peter's sharing of God's Word, Cornelius and his family received the Holy Spirit and were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. This miracle further underscored that the good news of Jesus Christ is for all people and nations.
