Warrior Faith: Unlocking Access To The Transforming Power of Jesus Without A Fight

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Returning to his ministry base in Capernaum, Jesus' encounter with the Roman centurion stands out for the lesson we learn when secular meets sacred. 

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Jesus and His fellow citizens lived under Roman civic and political authority, mainly exercised by their well-trained army.  A centurion commanded 100 soldiers and was the backbone of the Roman legions. 

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Yet, what this early warrior teaches us goes far beyond his duties as a good soldier. Matthew's eyewitness account gives us a peek into Jesus’ transforming, all-inclusive love.

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When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.”  Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”  The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”  When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”  Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment. (Matt 8:5–13).

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This miracle, as with others, revealed Jesus as the coming Messiah and openly declared that the transforming power of God’s kingdom was open to everyone, including people without religious pedigree.  

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Like the centurion, gaining access to the transforming power of Jesus begins when you

Realize That Jesus Loves You

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No matter who you are, Jesus finds you worth the full measure of His love.  A Jew entering the home of a gentile, such as a centurion, was taboo in Jesus' day.  Yet, Jesus is willing to come to the man's home in violation of social convention to extend compassion and healing.  

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In the same way, Jesus makes himself available to you right now at this very moment.  And, he does so knowing every detail of your life.  In His love, Jesus chooses to remain open to a relationship with you regardless of ethnicity, social status, gender, moral history, or worldview.

Recognize Jesus’ Authority

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Recognizing Jesus' authority begins when we choose to place ourselves and life situations under His loving rule. The centurion took the route of humility, referring to Jesus as "Lord." 

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He lowered himself from leader to servant, opening the door for the transforming work of Jesus. Jesus was amazed and elevated the centurion as an example for all of Israel, including His disciples.

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Notice how Jesus contrasts the centurion's faith with those who felt entitled to kingdom benefits but rejected His authority.   

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To their shock, Jesus said people with religious pedigree yet without submission to his authority would find themselves "thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

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As in Jesus’ day, we can find ourselves living out our faith traditions in a way that rejects Jesus' authority over outsourced worldviews, thoughts, attitudes, and actions.

Bring Your Needs To Jesus

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The centurion was a man of authority and privilege, but he knew that neither Rome nor his position would heal his servant.  Rather than allow pride and rank to guide, this warrior gets honest about his limits, brings the need to Jesus, and finds the all-sufficient Jesus ready to act powerfully.  

Trust Jesus To Respond

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When we realize that Jesus loves us, recognize His authority, and bring our needs to Him, we can trust the Lord to grant us access to His transforming power.  

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What step of warrior faith is God calling you to take today?

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Prayer: Father, I’m glad that your love for me transcends ethnicity, social status, gender, moral history, or worldview.  Help me have the faith that believes in you for big and small needs on my journey toward authentic trust in you to change me from the inside out. 

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Unlocking Access To The Transforming Power of Jesus Without A Fight

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1. Realize That Jesus Loves You

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“I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 8:11

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2. Recognize Jesus’ Authority

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“The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” Matthew 8:8-9

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3. Bring Your Needs to Jesus

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“When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help.  “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.”  Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?” Matthew 8:6-7

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4. Trust Jesus to Respond

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“Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment.” Matthew 8:13

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