連耶穌也稱讚這個百夫長的信德，他確實非同凡響。不過，我們不可忽視他的另一個優點，用今天流行的術語，就是他能知所定位！
首先，他並沒有貪婪，中飽私囊。雖然作為殖民地官員，卻「愛護我們的民族，又給我們建築了會堂。」（7:5）你可以懷疑他灑手段，運用懷柔政策「維穩」，目的是為了上位，我沒有證據否定。且看他關懷自己下屬的生死，可想而知即使他上位，他總不會掉下與自己出生入死的下屬，這個百夫長總算是個有義氣的人，與上司下屬保持良好的工作關係。上位是自然的事了。
不過，最精彩的是他與耶穌基督的關係。他知道自己在猶太人的心目中是一個外邦人，所以他知所避忌，不會強求耶穌進入自己的家中，亦懂行與耶穌保持一段適當的距離。這一點不是人人都做得到的。今天，很多信徒已失去了敬畏天主的心，因為在他們的心目中，耶穌是朋友多於是主。問題就出現了，我們會強求一些我們不應該追求的事物！雅各伯宗徒說得好：「你們求而不得，是因為你們求的不當。」（雅4:3）為甚麼「求的不當」？因為我們不知定位，即所謂「無大無細」！
可能是社會上的資源缺乏，或者是人性的貪婪的原故，我們可以見到今天在職場之中，人們努力上位；在娛樂圈中，很多藝人搏出位；社會上很多富豪為求上電視或見報的虛榮，不惜一擲百萬金…很少有人好像這個百夫長一樣，謹守自己的崗位：「因為我雖是受派在人權下的，但是在我下也有士兵。」（路7:8）
父啊！求祢不要讓我們恃寵生驕，讓我們恢復那久違了的敬畏之心。亞孟！
Know How To Position Oneself (Luke 7:1-10)
Even Jesus praised the faith of this Centurion. He was really extraordinary. But we should not ignore his other merit. In today's jargon, he knew how to position himself!
First of all, he was not greedy. He did not fatten himself with bribes. Although he was a colonial administrator, he "loves our nation, and he built us our synagogue." (7:5). If you question his integrity, that he was playing some Machiavellian tricks to maintain stability in order to advance in rank, I have no evidence to refute you. But seeing how he cared about his subordinates, I am sure even if he wanted to advance, he would not abandon his comrades. This Centurion knew team building and maintained good relationships with both superiors and subordinates. It would be natural for him to advance.
But his relationship with Jesus was superb. He knew that among the Jews, he was a Gentile. Thus he knew the taboo and would not force Jesus to enter his house. He also knew to keep an appropriate distance from Jesus. Not many people could do this. Today, many Christians have lost a sense of fear towards God because in their mind, Jesus is more a friend than a Lord. This is problematic. We would crave for things we should not desire! James the Apostle says well, "You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly." (James 4:3). Why do we "ask wrongly"? It is because we do not know our proper position. We have no fear of God.
Perhaps due to a lack of social resources, or human greed, in the commercial field, we see many people craving to advance in job. In show business, many artists do outrageous things in order to gain coverage. In the society, many rich people shower millions of dollar in order to appear before TV camera for ten seconds. Very few people station in their positions like this Centurion, "For I am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me." (Luke 7:8)
Father, do not pamper us so that we become arrogant. Restore in us a long forgotten fear of You. Amen.
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