Faith and the Coming of His Kingdom
Second Day of Advent. Monday, December 1, 2025
The Faith of the Centurion
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. Matthew 8:5-11
Dear friends,
The Roman centurion’s confession of unworthiness, immediately followed by his complete confidence in Christ’s authority, serves as an inspiring example of faith. He didn’t need Jesus to enter his home or perform a miracle; he simply trusted in the power of the Lord’s spoken word. It is this same humility and trust that prepare our hearts to welcome Christ. When we recognize our limits and Christ’s unlimited authority, we open the way for his actual work in our lives.
Jesus celebrates the centurion’s incredible faith, announcing that many from all over the world will come to share in the Kingdom. We are reminded that God’s plan of salvation in Christ is universal, extending beyond any human boundaries or limitations. It is a salvation accessible to all people, regardless of background or location, underscoring the inclusive nature of God's divine plan for humanity.
Going Further
Sing or meditate on the words of “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus.”
Come, thou long-expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art:
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.
Born thy people to deliver,
born a child, and yet a king,
born to reign in us for ever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal Spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all-sufficient merit
raise us to thy glorious throne.
Let the longing of the hymn blend with the centurion’s confidence, trusting that the Lord only needs to speak the word to make our brokenness whole and awaken in us the hope of our salvation.
Watching and waiting,
