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LUKE - Christ, the Savior of the World
A Bible Study Course on the Gospel of Christ according to Luke

PART 3 - JESUS' MINISTRY IN GALILEE (Luke 4:14 - 9:50)

8. The Healing of the Centurion's Servant (Luke 7:1-10)


LUKE 7:1-10
1 After he had finished speaking in the hearing of the people, he entered into Capernaum. 2A certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick and at the point of death. 3 When he heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and save his servant. 4 When they came to Jesus, they begged him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy for you to do this for him, 5 for he loves our nation, and he built our synagogue for us.” 6 Jesus went with them. When he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying to him, “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I am not worthy for you to come under my roof. 7 Therefore I didn’t even think myself worthy to come to you; but say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I also am a man placed under authority, having under myself soldiers. I tell this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9 When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turned and said to the multitude who followed him, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith, no, not in Israel.” 10 Those who were sent, returning to the house, found that the servant who had been sick was well.

The city of Capernaum was under the authority of King Herod Antipas. The Romans stationed a garrison in that important commercial center, so that the Jews should not rise in rebellion and surprise the authority. The centurion of the detachment quartered there was a wise officer who did not dominate the foreign enemy nation by force and violence, but understood them and loved them. He realized that their religion, which calls on belief in the One God, is the true religion filled with power. He honored this belief, and built a new, wide, spacious synagogue for them, which became more famous and honored in heaven and on earth than the Temple of Jerusalem, for Jesus made it the center of his ministry in which he frequently taught, healed the sick, and drove out demons from the demon-possessed.

When Christ’s enemies had organized themselves to destroy him, and after he had chosen his disciples to preach, a representative of the roman centurion came to him seeking his help. The centurion had already heard about the wonderful works of Jesus. He sent his spies to him, and knew that Jesus was not a rebel who led the multitudes to riot, but that he was overflowing with love, and filled with the power of God. His healing and casting out of demons confirmed to the centurion of noble designs of Jesus.

The cautious Roman commander recognized the voice of God more readily than the blind Pharisees themselves who, through their fanatic clinging to the law, failed to see the truth. The centurion believed in Christ without seeing him. He had his sayings and words translated, and then he examined them carefully and understood the message of the Prince of peace. He knew that his kingdom was not of this world, and was not founded on swords and taxes.

The thoughtfulness of the centurion showed itself in his genuine affection for his sick servant. He did not leave him neglected, but looked after him, and when he was ready to die, his master found no means and help except in Jesus, the greatest Physician. But as a gentile, he was prohibited from receiving the teachers of religion into his house, so he sent messengers and elders of the synagogue to Jesus, to mediate for him on behalf of his sick servant. They went willingly to carry out the centurion’s request, and told Jesus that he was worthy of his help, though he was unclean according to their faith. When Christ did not respond immediately to their demand, they became insistent, and testified repeatedly to the kindness and favor of this respected commander. In fact the love of God responds to every honest human request. Jesus went though he was prohibited from visiting a gentile according to the law. He was determined to enter into the centurion’s house even if the Jews considered it a sin.

However the centurion had a sensitivity that made him feel that it was impossible for Jesus to enter his house. He expressed his great faith in words, saying, “I am not worthy that you should enter my house.” Imagine how the commander of the occupying authority humbled himself and submitted to that extent to the judgments of the Jewish nations, calling himself “not worthy” in the full meaning of that word, in spite of the elders’ testimony of his worthiness, “he is worthy.” This is the mystery of greatness in any great person. He that is worthy considers himself unworthy. Unfortunately, today there are those who are unworthy yet declare themselves worthy. How do you see yourself, man?

Thus the centurion confessed his faith in the power of Jesus, believing that he could command the angels to overcome demons and disease, as the officer commands his soldiers to destroy the enemies and rebels. This foreign commander grasped the truth about Jesus. Not only did he call him “Master”, but officially called him “Lord”, as is stated expressly in the original Greek text. No Jew dared at that time to pronounce this title, for such a testimony implied a confession of Christ’s divinity in his human being.

Jesus accepted the faith of this foreigner immediately, wondering at the work of the Holy Spirit in him. He also marveled because of the unbelief in Nazareth (Mark 6:6). The Son of Man openly declared the beginning of the age of preaching to the Gentiles, when the faith of the Roman commander appeared greater, holier, deeper, and more effectual than the faith of his disciples, followers, and professing multitudes. He healed the servant immediately, for the power of Christ became completely evident through the centurion’s faith, even at a distance.

How does your faith appear? Do you believe only for yourself, or do you also pray for others? When your love and faith come in harmony with your unworthiness near to Jesus, and you submit completely to him, the power of the Son of God appears with greatest power in the salvation of your friends, even if they were distant from you. How do you pray now, with selfishness, or with love for others?

PRAYER: O Lord, I am not worthy that you should come near me, for I am selfish and unclean. Please forgive my iniquities and lack of love for others. Heal me and save me. Heal them and save them. I do believe that your power overcomes my sins together with those of my friends whose names are before you. You are our Lord and Savior. We worship you.

QUESTION 56: Why did Jesus praise the centurion’s faith?

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