Scripture:
Luke 7:1-10 (English Standard Version)
Luke 7
Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant 1After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people,(A) he entered Capernaum. 2Now a centurion had a servant[a] who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. 3When the centurion[b] heard about Jesus,(B) he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying,(C) "He is worthy to have you do this for him, 5for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us(D) our synagogue." 6And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, "Lord,(E) do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. 7Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But(F) say the word, and let my servant be healed. 8For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." 9When Jesus heard these things,(G) he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such(H) faith." 10And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well.
Footnotes:
Luke 7:2 Greek bondservant; also verses 3, 8, 10
Luke 7:3 Greek he
Cross references:
Luke 7:1 : For Luke 7:1-10, Matt 8:5-13
Luke 7:3 : Matt 8:5
Luke 7:4 : Acts 10:22
Luke 7:5 : Luke 4:31, 33
Luke 7:6 : Luke 8:49; Mark 5:35; Matt 9:36 (Gk)
Luke 7:7 : Psalm 107:20; Matt 8:16
Luke 7:9 : Mark 6:6
Luke 7:9 : Matt 9:2
Reflection:
In Jesus' time the Jews hated the Romans because they represented everything they stood against -- including foreign domination and pagan beliefs and practices. Why did Jesus not only warmly receive a Roman centurion but praise him as a model of faith and confidence in God? In the Roman world the position of centurion was very important. He was an officer in charge of a hundred soldiers. In a certain sense, he was the backbone of the Roman army, the cement which held the army together. Polybius, an ancient write, describes what a centurion should be: "They must not be so much venturesome seekers after danger as men who can command, steady in action, and reliable; they ought not to be over-anxious to rush into the fight, but when hard pressed, they must be ready to hold their ground, and die at their posts." The centurion who approached Jesus was not only courageous, but faith-filled as well. He risked the ridicule of his cronies by seeking help from an itinerant preacher from Galilee, and well as mockery from the Jews. Nonetheless, he approached Jesus with confidence and humility. He was an extraordinary man because he loved his slave. In the Roman world slaves were treated like animals rather than people. The centurion was also an extraordinary man of faith. He wanted Jesus to heal his beloved slave. Jesus commends him for his faith and immediately grants him his request. Are you willing to suffer ridicule in the practice of your faith? And when you need help, do you approach the Lord Jesus with expectant faith?
Prayer For The Day:
Heavenly Father, you sent us your Son that we might be freed from the tyranny of sin and death. Increase my faith in the power of your saving word and give me freedom to love and serve others with generosity and mercy as you have loved me.
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