Faith of a Centurion

April 14, 2024 Background Scripture: Luke 7: 1 -10 Lesson Passage: Luke 7:1 -10 "Say the word, and my servant will be healed." That was a centurion's request of Jesus. A centurion was a military leader for the Roman Empire. The title, or position, suggests he was a leader over a squadron of one hundred soldiers. A centurion is the focus of our lesson scripture. His reputation, as described in the Lesson Passage, suggests that he was what we today would refer to as a "people person". Although he had a large squadron and was the top security officer in the area, he had won the respect of the local Jewish community for his humanitarian work. It was reported to Jesus that this centurion had built a synagogue for the Jews. Respecting a person's religious beliefs and practices by providing a meeting place for them is a notable act of charity. But we also see his compassion for a servant of his who has fallen ill. Jesus' reputation as a healer had spread such that even Gentiles were aware of it. Upon hearing that a Jewish prophet named Jesus was healing the sick, the centurion sent a delegation of Jewish elders to find Jesus and beg Him to come and heal his servant. When the elders came to Jesus, their respect for the centurion showed in that they begged Jesus to come and heal the servant. They told Jesus that the centurion was worthy of the request because of the kindness he had shown to the local Jewish community. In the words of the elders, the centurion "loves our nation". Jesus agreed to follow them to the centurion's house. As they approached, the centurion sent some friends to ask Jesus not to come under his roof because he did not see himself as worthy of such a visit. Perhaps the Jews taught him that it was not lawful for a Jew to enter a Gentile's house. So, he sent this request to Jesus, "Say the word, and my servant will be healed." He explained his request as a person with authority over others. As a person of authority, he could give orders to others to go or to come, and they would comply because of his position of authority. The centurion expected Jesus' words to be obedient to Him. Jesus did not have to go or to come because His words would do that for Him. Jesus was amazed at the centurion's analysis of His divine power over words. That centurion believed Jesus could do whatever He wanted to do simply by speaking it into existence. I don't know if it was divine revelation or he had been taught this by the Jews, but his statements were theologically sound! God said, "I watch over My word to perform it." God also said, "I will send My word and it will accomplish what I sent it to do. It will not return to Me void." The centurion did not feel worthy of Jesus' presence in his house. He just wanted Jesus to demonstrate the power of healing by speaking the word from a distance. Jesus said He had not seen this type of faith among the Jews—yet they were the recipients of the word of God that declared God's power over His words. Jesus responded to the centurion's faith by healing his servant without entering the house. Today, we have the entire Bible. It is filled with God's words and His promises. We have it because God has sent His word into this world for us. The word of God is not to replace God's presence but rather to draw us nearer to Him. Spiritual growth begins when we understand that God's word is filled with promise and power. We embrace it by heeding it and living according to the precepts and promises of it. If God said it, we embrace it because His word will not return to Him without accomplishing what He sent it to do. Robert C. Hudson 4, 2024