Leadership Thought: Whoever Thought That a Centurion Would Be at Our Table?

Dear Friends,

Heaven is a place for Centurions, too. Last night at our Life Group meeting, we studied the healing of the Centurions’ servant found in Matthew 8:5-13.

A Centurion would probably be at the bottom end of a Jew’s list of most despised people.  This hated Roman, pagan, army officer was a part of the occupying force controlling Israel. He came to Jesus asking him if he would heal his servant. Those who were present would have certainly been shocked at such a request.

Surprisingly, Jesus not only hears the centurion’s request, but he grants his wish and heals the centurion’s servant. And in doing so, he commends the faith of the centurion, saying, “I have not found such great faith in all of Israel. And I say to you that men like you (a centurion) are going to be sitting at the table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But many of the religious people, the Jewish people who have so much, are going to be in outer darkness.”

The message of Jesus is clear. Be careful how you evaluate ‘kingdom people.’

Whoever would have thought that a guy like former Russian leader Nikita Khrushchev, would have been invited to the table. You may recall he was the one who once banged the table of the United Nations with his shoe, saying of America, “We will bury you” Certainly he could never be a part of the Kingdom. Well, guess what? He will be there.

“Nikita Khrushchev memorized the entire New Testament word- for-word. And in his later years, he would sit in Gorky Park reciting it to Russians who recognized him.

Although he was politically defamed and dethroned largely due to his faith, he gave his comments on New Testament teachings to all who would listen. Nikita Khrushchev became a teacher of the Word in his last days.  New Testament Commentary, John Courson, p. 62.

The Kingdom of God is an upside-down kingdom, so we must be careful in evaluating those who we think should be sitting at the table. The kingdom might be more inclusive than we first imagined. There may be people sitting at the table who are philosophically, and theologically very different from us. They might be members of fellowships whose practices differ from ours. They may not look like us, talk like us, think like us, or act like us.  

The centurion was invited to the table because he recognized who he was, an unworthy guest. He said, “Lord, I’m not worthy. Speak the word only.”

It’s Jesus’ table, so don’t be surprised or upset by His guests, only be surprised, that like the centurion, you too were invited.

Yours in faith and friendship,

Tom