Belonging by Faith

Introduction

Text: Matthew 8:5–13 (Roman Centurion)

Hook: Sometimes the greatest faith comes from the people we least expect—and Jesus welcomes them in.

This story is full of contrast and intrigue.

Where are we? We’re immediately after the sermon on the mount, and Jesus has come down from the mountain and people swarmed Him.

Connection to Elijah and Naaman in 2 Kings 5

In both narratives: 1) A governmental person’s servant needed healing; 2) the person himself or his master came to a prophet reputed to be able to heal the servant; 3) Healing took place long distance; 4) the one who learned of the healing had faith; 5) the person or persons near to the prophet was rejected.

The Unexpected Seeker

Matthew 8:5–6 HCSB

When He entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible agony!”

A. The Identity of the Centurion:

A Roman Soldier: He was part of the military machine occupying Israel. He represented political power, pagan religion, and cultural impurity. These are common conclusions about the centurion. It is possible that this centurion was a diaspora Jew. Now, if that’s the case that means That a Roman centurion is also one of God’s chosen people. In Luke’s account, he sends Jewish elders to plead with Jesus for the healing of his servant.

A Man of Authority: As a centurion, he commanded 100 men. He was used to giving orders, not begging for help.

The Paradox: The one who should be enforcing the world's power structure is humbly seeking help from a traveling Jewish rabbi.

B. The Nature of His Concern:

He isn't asking for himself, but for his servant (or "boy," pais in Greek). In a culture where servants were property, this reveals unexpected compassion and value for someone "beneath" him.

His plea is direct and desperate: "My servant is paralyzed and suffering terribly."

Why would a person plead?

Because they’re desperate. because there’s no other way. They also knew of the power of Jesus. They knew he could do the miraculous.

Do we seek to bring others into the presence of Jesus? Do we invite others to experience healing? Is it our desire, truly, that NONE would perish without experiencing the gift of personal salvation through Jesus?

In 8:2, a leper comes and seeks healing from Jesus.

Point of Application: God often works through people we would least expect. He is not impressed by our resumes, our heritage, or our moral credentials.

The kingdom of God is filled with surprising seekers.

The Unexpected Faith

Matthew 8:7–9 HCSB

“I will come and heal him,” He told him. “Lord,” the centurion replied, “I am not worthy to have You come under my roof. But only say the word, and my servant will be cured. For I too am a man under authority, having soldiers under my command. I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.”

A. The Centurion's Profound Humility (v. 8a):

"I do not deserve to have you come under my roof." He understands the Jewish custom of becoming ceremonially unclean by entering a Gentile's home.

More importantly, he shows spiritual humility. He recognizes the gap between his own unworthiness and Jesus's holiness. This is the starting point of true faith.

B. The Centurion's Profound Understanding (v. 8b-9):

"Just say the word..." This is the core of his faith. He believes Jesus's authority over sickness is as absolute as his own authority over his soldiers.

He understands that Jesus operates with a "Word-Authority." He doesn't need rituals, touch, or physical presence. If Jesus commands it, it must happen.

He sees what many religious leaders missed: Jesus is the ultimate authority, the Commander of heaven and earth, the Word through whom all things were created (John 1:1-3).

Point of Application: Genuine faith isn't about forcing God to act in our way; it's about trusting in His authority and His word, even when we can't see the outcome. It's a humble, confident surrender to His "yes" or "no."

Genuine faith is a humble, yet confident surrender to God’s response.

The Unexpected Invitation

Matthew 8:10–12 HCSB

Hearing this, Jesus was amazed and said to those following Him, “I assure you: I have not found anyone in Israel with so great a faith! I tell you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

A. Jesus's Astonishing Reaction (v. 10):

Jesus was "amazed." This is one of the only places in the Gospels where Jesus is described this way. The object of his wonder is not a theologian or a priest, but a Gentile soldier's faith.

The contrast is stark: "I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith." The "insiders" lacked the faith of the "outsider."

B. Jesus's Radical Redefinition of Belonging (v. 11-12):

The Great Reversal: Jesus paints a picture of the Messianic Banquet. The surprise guests are "many" from "the east and the west"—Gentiles from all over the world.

The Shocking Warning: The "subjects of the kingdom" (those who presumed they had a right to be there based on ethnic and religious lineage) will find themselves on the outside.

The New Criteria: Belonging is not about ancestry but about faith. The door is open to all, but only faith in Christ is the ticket in.

Point of Application: The church must be the one place on earth where the world's categories of "insider" and "outsider" are destroyed. We belong not because of our background, but because of our shared faith in Christ.

The Unexpected Outcome

Matthew 8:13 HCSB

Then Jesus told the centurion, “Go. As you have believed, let it be done for you.” And his servant was cured that very moment.

The Power of the Word: Jesus doesn't go to the house. He doesn't touch the servant. He simply speaks the word, just as the centurion believed He would.

The Immediate Result: "His servant was healed at that moment." The centurion's faith was well-placed. Jesus's authority is real and effective.

The Confirmation: The healing validates everything Jesus just said about faith and the kingdom.

This story is a strong demonstration that this new way of belonging is through faith, and is powerful and true.

Do others belong because of your demonstration of faith?

Recap: The centurion teaches us that:

Seeking: God welcomes all seekers, regardless of their past or pedigree.

Believing: True faith is a humble trust in the authority of Jesus's word.

Belonging: The kingdom of God is a surprise party, filled with people from every tribe and tongue who found their place not by birthright, but by faith.

Challenge to the Congregation:

For those feeling like outsiders: Do you think your past, your doubts, or your failures disqualify you? Look at the centurion. Come to Jesus with the humble, confident faith that He has the authority to forgive, heal, and make you whole. In Him, you belong.

For the "insiders" in the church: Are there ways we, like the "subjects of the kingdom," are trusting in our heritage, our doctrine, or our morality instead of a living, humble faith? Do we subtly exclude those God is inviting in? Let us marvel at the faith of unexpected people and widen our circles to reflect the astonishing inclusivity of the Gospel.