A Roman centurion was a commander in the Roman Army; they were known for bravery, courage, and strict discipline. They were the backbone of the Roman Army, men of power, authority and influence. There were several different grades and levels of Centurions, but they all commanded men and were skilled in battle. By necessity, they were hard men who lived in brutal times.
Today we heard the story of a Roman Centurion who humbled himself and approached Jesus on behalf of his servant. This Centurion was not asking Jesus for victory in battle, nor the spoils of war, nor even advancement in rank. He was pleading on behalf of his servant! “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly,” he said. In the text, Matthew is emphasizing the earnest nature of the request. The Roman Centurion approached Jesus, he was pleading, and he was saying.
This Roman Centurion teaches us about humility. In this story, we can learn at least two things about humility.