Coming down from the Mountain after teaching that great Sermon on the Mount, Jesus now encounters a Roman Centurion. This man functions in the Gospel as the embodiment of all that Jesus just taught. In this centurion, we see that profile of a true disciple, and the very kind of person that Jesus will use to save sinners. He becomes a tremendous example to the church. His defining characteristic is one of incredible faith- an ongoing quality that must control the life of any true discipleship. For faith is the only reality that amazes Jesus and pleases the Father.