Gò0dNews for Men
Be A Man of Faith
I
by Chad Hess
n Matthew’s Gospel, beginning in Chapter 8
How much simpler would it be to be like the
Verse 5, we are told the story of the Roman
Centurion and pray his prayer? Lord, this is what I
Centurion and his servant. The Roman officer
am facing: illness, marital difficulties, problems at
approaches Jesus begging Him and telling Him
work or with the kids, issues with an elderly parent
that his servant is ill and lying paralyzed at the
(fill in your own blank). I am not worthy, but only
Centurion’s home. Jesus responds, “I will come and
say the word and my soul will be healed. To believe
heal him.” The Centurion replies with words that are repeated every day by Christians around the world: “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my servant will be healed.” This is known as the Centurion’s prayer and is a wonderful example of simple faith. The Centurion was a man of power and authority in the Roman government, commanding 100 soldiers. He understood well the power of command, and he recognized the power and authority of Jesus. He had faith that Jesus could heal the servant simply by saying the word. In Verse
this, truly believe this, would change everything.
13, Jesus rewards the man’s faith by saying, “Go, let
Keeping in mind that God’s will be done, not
it be done for you as you have believed.”
the fulfillment of all our wishes and desires, is a
As a man, father, brother, or friend, do you have faith in Jesus’ power and authority? Do you trust that
powerful thing. Knowing, really knowing, that Jesus has the
all you have to do is ask for His will to be done, and
authority in heaven and on earth to do His will
then have faith that it will be done? In our roles as
(that is what faith is, by the way) is a wondrous and
men in today’s society, we are inundated with trails
liberating thing for all believers. When the trials
and difficulties. Our faith can be put to the test on
and difficulties come, and they will, be like the
a daily basis. As men, we too are given power and
Centurion—be a man of faith.
to the authority of Jesus. How often do we make decisions without submitting them to Jesus’ will?
12 // June 2022
About The Author
authority, but like the Centurion, we must submit Chad Hess is a husband, father and Army Veteran. He is a parishioner at Saint Andrews Anglican Church in Rome, where he is involved in lay ministries.
