Several features of the character of this centurion are worthy of all imitation.
Notice:
I. His singular care for his slave. We know something of the hardening effects of slavery in the United States of America. But, as the greatest of Roman historians (Mommsen) tells us, African slavery is a mere drop in the ocean in comparison with the horrors of slavery in the old Roman empire. Even so tender-hearted and amiable a man as Cicero once blushed and offered an abject apology because he so far forgot himself as to feel a twinge of regret at the painful death of a slave. It was in this corrupt and horrible atmosphere that this man cared for his slave; and I know nothing that is more noble, more indicative of the Godlike man, than a proper courtesy and thoughtfulness and a disinterested and unselfish care for those who are our social inferiors.
II. This man, who cared in so divine a way for the health even of his slave, had a regard for religion; and these two things generally go together.
III. Mark the centurion's beautiful humility. He felt that he was unworthy that one so good and great as Christ should come under his roof; and so, as Augustine well said, in his characteristic way, accounting himself unworthy that Christ should enter into his doors, he was counted worthy that Christ should enter into his heart.
IV. This Roman soldier teaches us the great practical crowning lesson of being satisfied with the word of Christ. We need nothing but the word of Christ; for the word of Christ is not like the word of an impotent man, that falls helpless to the ground. It is mighty; the omnipotence of God is in it. The only lifeboat in this wide sea is the word of Christ. The only safe anchorage is the word of Christ. The only enduring thing is the word of Christ.
H. Price Hughes, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xxvii., p. 113.
References: Matthew 8:8. W. F. Hook, Sermons on the Miracles,vol. i., p. 158; J. N. Norton, Golden Truths,p. 82.Matthew 8:8; Matthew 8:9. Expositor,2nd series, vol. vi., p. 161.Matthew 8:9-13. W. Hay Aitken, Mission Sermons,3rd series, p. 182.