Centurion

This is based on my favorite passage in the Bible and I felt compelled to share it with you tonight. 

Dear Heavenly Father,  there are some troubled souls reading these words tonight Lord.  Some are facing life-changing decisions, some are in emotional crisis, some have financial needs and many have health concerns.  And all of them can use the faith of the centurion to come to you, your cross, and leave these burdens at your feet for you to attend to.  My prayer tonight Father is that you grant all of us who would beseech you, stronger faith, unbound faith.  Faith of the Centurion.  I thank you Father for hearing my prayers and for sending your angels to administer to all that ask.  In Jesus' name, Lord, Amen.

THE CENTURION

©Robert C Burnham

You were in the employ of Pilate

And you served a Roman horde

You killed many men in battle

And defeated rebel dischord

Your reputation built on muscle

Your brain followed your brawn

In the face of bitter conflict

Your sword was the first drawn

Your assignment was Jerusalem

To keep all the Jews at bay

Your men honored and feared you

And would do whatever you say

You could tell one man 'go there'

And he'd be off on a trot

Summoning another to 'come here'

Would fetch you what you sought

You heard the stories of a man

You thought very much like you

A leader assuredly among all men

Someone whose word was true

Although this man of lowly birth

Walked and spoke of peace

You saw a greatness within his stride

That even Caesar could not repeat

You heard the stories of his miracles

And how he supposedly raised the dead

While all the rest of Rome scoffed

You chose to believe instead

And so upon one fateful day

When your precious servant became ill

You told this man 'You can make him well

If it just be your will'

Upon your faith, Lord Jesus smiled

Though you were Roman He did not turn

He commended you in front of all

A lesson I still learn

"To all Jerusalem I make known

This man's faith is greater than thee

He is not known as one of us

But in me he doth believe

Come, Roman, I will heal your slave

Let us go and make him well"

You replied with tears in your eyes

"My home is not worthy of you pray tell

But Teacher you just say the word

And my servant, he shall heal!"

And with this unbridled show of faith

You bowed before God and kneeled.