Sermon Series Encounters with Christ: The Centurion’s Cry

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hood On January 2, 2021, the first Sabbath in the New Year, Southeast Senior Pastor Stan Hood delivered an inspiring and encouraging message, “The Centurion’s Cry.” This sermon launched the new month-long series, “Encounters with Christ.” The sermons in this series will “follow Jesus around the Sea of Galilee where he showed so much tenderness and compassion for every day, ordinary people” and will shine a light on their stories.

The Centurion’s Cry, based on Matthew 8:5-10, tells the story of the Roman centurion at Capernaum who seeks life-saving help for his beloved servant who is gravely ill. The cry of this centurion demonstrates how “a non-believer taught church people how to believe.”

Pastor Hood began with a brief history lesson on the city of Capernaum and centurions (captains of 100 men). There were special centurions the bible describes as men who spoke truth and were held in high regard. A striking example is the centurion who stood at the foot of the cross of Jesus, and as Jesus’ life slipped away the centurion exclaimed, “Truly this man was the Son of God! (Mark 15:39). Julius is the centurion who was on the boat with Paul that became shipwrecked. When the men on the boat threatened to throw Paul overboard, the centurion protected Paul, even though they were supposed to be enemies.

The centurion at Capernaum is also described as a leader held in high regard. This man tried every remedy available to heal his servant, but he ran out of options. Pastor Hood stated that now, “he has to go from the natural to the supernatural to reverse the death sentence.” When the centurion hears that Jesus is in Capernaum, he sends representatives to plead his case. Jesus immediately answers, “I will come and heal him.” But the centurion hears this and answers, “Lord I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.”

This act of complete faith is the Centurion’s Cry.

It is reminiscent in many ways of the woman with the issue of blood. She was considered unclean and knew she was not worthy to be in the presence of Christ, but she also knew that if she could just touch the hem of his garment, she would be healed.

He knows God’s word has power. The centurion was also fully aware of the societal/religious mores and rules of the region and believed himself to be unworthy. He believed in Jesus, but did not believe in himself. Scripture states that, “When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.”

--Cecily Bryant

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