Luke 7
1 When Jesus had finished saying all this in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum.
2 There a centurion's servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die.
3 The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant.
4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, "This man deserves to have you do this,
5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue."
6 So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: "Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof.
7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed.
8 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go', and he goes; and that one, 'Come', and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this', and he does it."
9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel."
10 Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.

Jesus, is described as a 'man of sorrows, acquainted with grief' (Isaiah 53). Indeed He endured much suffering in this sinful world, with it's foolishness, hatred and unbelief. When reading this passage I am most 'amazed' that we can 'amaze' God! The last two weeks have covered two interactions in the Gospels amaze and astonish the Son of God. They surprised him with a unique quality of FAITH.
(Read Great Faith I - the Canannite woman)

The Gospels provide us a remarkable view of God in Christ interacting with everyday people like you and I, and our at time acutely felt need. In this case the need was for a loved one.

When we (quite naturally) pray at such times, it's harder to do so when the person is not near. We are naturally more comforted by prayer when the person is there. Is anyone sick or in need - let them call for the Elders to come - the laying on of hands.

Indeed the woman with an issue of blood... sought to touch the hem of the Lord's garment as he went by, and was commended for her faith.

But sometimes circumstances or geography don't allow for being there.
It is a different order of faith that can declare a thing done at a distance...

To the text... Luke 7...
1. [Jesus] entered Capernaum.
We join Jesus entering a city he had used as his home base...

2 There a centurion's servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die.
3 The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant.
4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, "This man deserves to have you do this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue." 6 So Jesus went with them.

The need was extreme - the second Greek word used for 'servant' was one that described a 'son'. There's sense of 'powerlessness', hopelessness, in what appears to be an acute onset of paralysis and acute pain that looked like it would quickly take the young man's life. It's a mounting scene of collapse.

Others faith
Despite the urgency this man's approach to the Lord was both thoughtful and humble. The Gentile Centurian enlisted the help of others. He called the Elders of the Jews. They interceded for him. Knowing when to reach out is key.

It is a powerful thing when others take up our cause. The friends who lowered the paralyzed man down through the roof to Jesus' feet. They exercised faith.

Second thoughts
Well, time goes by. This is not the age of instant communication... the smart phone. It gives time for the Centurion to ponder. He sends a second message to Jesus.

Continue article >>

6 He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: "Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof.
7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you.

For a Jew to enter the home of a Gentile, was to risk his reputation. There was much animosity. This much was obvious and showed the Centurian's understanding. But why call for him in the first place?

But say the word, and my servant will be healed.
8 For I (Matt 8 adds the word ALSO) myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go', and he goes; and that one, 'Come', and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this', and he does it."

9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel."
The Centurion AMAZES, ASTONISHES, MARVELS, Jesus... Why? What did he grasp that was so praiseworthy and important?

This is not so easy to answer! He seems to have caught something of the way things work in a dimension we are all to ignorant of FAITH... that which moves 'mountains'.

I postulate that God has placed all things in order. Lines of authority if you will.

For example Parents have authority over their children. When you tell your children to do something, you have to have faith that they will do it. It will happen. The use of POWER (disciplinary measures) restraint etc... is only a backup, and not a legitimate replacement to the simple faith in authority.

Political Leaders are instituted of God to exercise authority. Police, army all uphold the rule of law... mostly with authority (as opposed to 'power'). The police officer steps in the road and holds out his hand and can stop a 50 Ton truck. He believes it will happen. In the normal course of events it does. There may be fear of consequences (ticket & fine) in the driver not stopping, but there is also respect for authority.

Perhaps the illustration parental authority offers us the best window into what Jesus is describing. To be sure such 'authority' is abused and distorted, for a number of reasons. However what is the consequence of us not believing we have any authority to tell our kids what to do and not do? What we only ever 'suggest' to our children that they so this or stop that?!

The Centurion points out that true and effective authority is exercised by those who submit to authority. Jesus only did what he 'saw' the Father do.

The Christian has a kind of authority in the world...
Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Returing to the text:
10 Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.
(Matthews account in 8:13 has it "Then Jesus said ... "Go! It will be done just as you believed it would." And his servant was healed at that very hour.")

In summery:
We may pray to have some idea of the nature of the Centurian's faith to see God heal and change circumstances more.

We might desire to bring God pleasure (even surprise!) out of our love for him. He has given us free will to amaze and to disappoint him.

There is something about active faith that is not simply mental assent, even biblical orthodox belief and religious practice. But that which looks to Him, and expects deeply needed supernatural change.

Living under his authority is rightly emphasized in accepting Jesus as Lord. In addition we need to ask ourselves if if we live expressive of His authority - exercising faith when and where it truly counts most.

It is sometimes hard understand why we have need of persistence in prayer, when just one word from one with such authority will change things. However we wait upon such words for our lives and for those we love. He is everywhere present, and can raise those afflicted from afar.

October 8/2009