The Life & Work of Christ: Jesus Cares for Outsiders

Thus far in this series, we have walked with Jesus and witnessed the up and down responses to his life. Days prior to this scene of Jesus’ ministry, he dealt with one of his most difficult decisions and that was choosing which 12 of his disciples would be specially appointed to be witnesses to the world concerning his life. It was a decision that brought him to pray all night long in the mountains. Not long afterward Jesus delivered a most popular message to his followers known as the “Sermon on the mount”. It is at the conclusion of that sermon where we see Jesus on today, and he transitioned from preaching a powerful message to demonstrating a character that fit his teaching and purpose. It is in that I’d like for us to observe and learn the caring nature of our Master and Lord. Specifically for today, how he cares for outsiders. When I say outsiders, it means those who aren’t members or not generally accepted by the group(s) one is associated with. In addition, how Jesus responds to the assessment of worthiness and unworthiness of an individual. From this, I want to urge us on how we too should express and demonstrate Christ-like care for people who aren’t a part of “us”, and accept that they too can possess a faith which is honored by GOD.

The Roman Centurion

His Sick Servant

His Good Reputation

After Jesus gives his final sermonic words, he travels back to Capernaum which again was his residential and ministerial headquarters during his Galilean ministry. As with everywhere Jesus traveled, there were many people with many of life’s problems they were facing. In this case, there was a centurion living in Capernaum facing a dire challenge in his life. He was going thru extreme motions because he had a servant (modern employee) who was so sick that he was close to death. And this servant was very near and dear to the centurion. A centurion was an officer of the Roman government/authorities who generally had the responsibility over 100 soldiers. Since he resided in Capernaum which was in Galilee, this centurion most likely served Herod Antipas who was the tetrarch/ruler of Galilee and Samaria. Now there were no Jewish centurion’s (military leaders/police captains) during their day. Nonetheless, he was going through a tough time because one of his servants was extremely sick (Matthew says he was paralyzed).

Application: One thing to take note of here is that regardless of what status a person holds or what group they’re part of, everyone goes through life’s challenges. Just because this man is a Roman military leader doesn’t make him immune to the dark and emotional circumstances that fall in everyone’s lap. Likewise, our police officers, politicians, etc, as corrupt as some may be or that we perceive them to be, they all just like us deal with many dire circumstances. Why? Because they are still a part humanity just like we are. And we must always view them as such.

Now remember we’ve witnessed that Jesus’ ministry had become very popular and the word of mouth media about him had spread throughout Galilee and nearby regions. Especially in Capernaum where Jesus’ ministerial headquarters was. The centurion, like so many others, had heard about him and knowing the deadly status of his servant decided to send a request for him to heal his servant. Now the parallel account to this scene is found in , but Matthew says that it was the centurion that approached Jesus. But Luke records that he sent the Jewish community leaders (elders) to approach Jesus. For those of us who are serious bible students, at first, it seems to be a discrepancy. However, understanding how Matthew and Luke are writing, as well as how the bible is written, we will find there’s no discrepancy. A person who was sent (apostle) with the goal and purpose of the sender, was considered a representative of the sender himself. For example, Moses was the representative of GOD and Aaron of Moses (, ), and Jesus words are the words of the Father (; , ). So Matthew gives us the source of the communication, whereas Luke provides details of the representatives of the source. These Jewish leaders seriously relate the centurion’s request that Jesus come and save his servant’s life. Now again, the centurion was not a Jew. Also Roman centurion’s were generally disliked and not included in matters of Jewish religion/divinity. But just as the centurion’s servant held a special place in his heart, the centurion himself held a special place in the heart of these Jews living in Capernaum. So much that they strive to persuade Jesus to heal the servant based on the centurion’s community merit and reputation with the Jews. That being he deeply cared for their ethnicity/culture, and was financially responsible for procuring and constructing their church building (synagogue).

community merit and reputation with the Jews. That being he deeply cared for their race/culture, and was financially responsible for procuring and constructing their church building (synagogue).

Application: Many of us, if not all of us, have friends, relatives, neighbors, or coworkers who are not members of our community of faith, but experience the weight of trials and grief in their lives. This is a great example of how we can and should approach GOD on their behalf. Contrary to some beliefs, we should pray for them and exercise all of our Christian privileges on their behalf. What’s interesting is that the Jews’ psychology and theology they use is that he had a good reputation toward them, and had supported their cause. And that to them meant that he deserved to receive his request. They said this, not the centurion, so there’s not a self-righteous motive. Rather their intent was to draw as much as they could from his goodwill to motivate Jesus to respond. We sometimes do the same when we say such things as “I know they’re not in the church, but they’re good people”. But there’s honestly no need to talk anybody up! We should understand that when we approach GOD through Christ, we are speaking to a gracious GOD, who sends rain on the just and the unjust! They approach Jesus from a Pharisaic view, thinking that divine action is a barter system based upon the merit of the recipient. Good deeds are good, but it’s not the right approach to request favor from GOD. Nonetheless Jesus goes with them.

His Humility

His Trust

Now Jesus fully understood the ethnic, nation, or culture relations of their day, and it was no different than the race (which was created by Americans) relations that have and to some degree still exist between some in America and other countries today. Nevertheless in this scene, Jesus goes with them toward the centurion’s house. How compassionate! But just when he was near the house, the extent of the lawn, right outside the gate, or whatever distance he could be seen. The centurion sent some of his friends this time with a deeper message for Jesus: “No need to come any further, because I am not worthy”. Now two words have been used for worthy. The first, the Jewish leaders use to express that the centurion deserves to receive his request because of his meritorious acts toward the Jews. But the centurion says he’s unworthy (different Greek word), meaning he’s not fit because Jesus’ status and reputation is so high, majestic, and authoritative that it’s far beyond the adequacy he holds, and thus he is completely undeserving for someone so great to enter his home. He expresses humility and recognized that Jesus is greater than any human authority, and he himself doesn’t meet the standard to bring such an awesome person in his home. And by his understanding of authority to command others, he concluded that Jesus could speak a word and his servant would be healed. This is an express claim that Jesus is the annointed one from GOD!

Application: How easy it is for us to consider ourselves deserving of a positive response to what we ask of GOD! Especially when others have only seen the surface level of good we’ve done toward them, and deem us as worthy. But when we are sincerely introspective, and consider our thoughts of others, secret conversations, and closet activity, if we are honest we would arrive at the same conclusion as this centurion: “I don’t measure up to the blessings from GOD!” This is especially difficult to assess when we are constantly measured and rewarded by humanity based on the worth they estimate about us. This merit system is natural and has its place, but when we truly consider the status of our GOD, we must admit that the sum of my life’s activity is completely undeserving for such majesty, purity, righteousness to visit my crib! When we denounce all barters and merits, the only path to receiving from GOD is through mercy and faith. Mercy because I’m unworthy! Faith because I realize the powerful influence of GOD over everything! Specifically that he has the power to speak, and whatever he speaks will be done according to his desire and intent.

Jesus’ Response

His Amazement

His Affirmation

After Jesus received this message from the centurion’s friends, he became shocked at the centurion. To be amazed at something can be positive or negative. There are only two records of Jesus getting amazed or shocked about something: One was negative, which was in response to his hometown of Nazareth rejecting him in (similar to how Paul was shocked at the Galatians for their quick departure from the grace of Christ); This one is a positive response, as if he’s saying “Wow, I can’t believe this!” It was so shocking to Jesus that it moved him to speak to the entire crowd that was following him. Jesus had run into many people of Israel who demonstrated faith and trust in him, in GOD, but nobody of Israel had demonstrated this great amount of faith! Remember, Jews or people of Israel are following him, so this is an extreme statement directed toward them. Many would have found it offensive, because he just compared the faith of a gentile (non-Jew) to theirs and claimed that this gentile’s faith is greater. In accordance with such great faith, Jesus affirms that the servant’s life and health had been fully restored.

Application: Jesus knows our ethnicities. He knows who’s not a part of our groups and associations. But Jesus doesn’t have any favoritism toward us because of those things or how many good things we’ve done in the presence of other people. What Jesus respects the most is Faith!! How would Jesus respond to our faith?!? That is determined by the amount of faith we possess and demonstrate in our lives. Would he say “Oh you of little faith”? Or would he say “Wow!! I’ve reviewed many a people in your family, Christian gathering, community and city, and country, but none compares to yours!” What if, after the amount of trust we’ve placed in our merit, exclusive church status, plush buildings with amenities and cash resources, ethnic experiences, that Jesus says he’s found greater faith in people outside of all of that! Would that be offensive? This is not to move us to compete, rather to desire and reach after a higher trust and reliance on him. Just because you didn’t grow up attending services, and doing all the religious rituals, and giving the most money, Jesus still cares about you! And when you have heard about who Jesus is, you can have a great faith in him.

How can you and I demonstrate such great faith? Observe again, sincerely recognizing how underserving we are and that none of our behaviors balance out with all the divine blessings. Then, fully recognize the status of Christ and his authority, and that nothing is beyond his command! When recognized, sincerely live life trusting that whatever he commands will be done!!