The Faith of the Centurion

Who’s Who?

We have talk about needing to ask our Bible critical thinking questions as we read through the text. The number one question we need to ask while reading Luke 7:1-9 is who? We need to know who is asking for help, who is actually sick, who was valued, and who actually does the asking Jesus for help.

It is very important we gather the chain of personal connections before we actually reach Jesus. The first who is a nameless Centurion. The person that is sick is the Centurion’s servant, who is valued by the Centurion. The Centurion heard about Jesus he contacted the Elders of the Jews.

Now this is a strange occurence. The Centurion was not a Jew, but he was a friend of the Jews, who had helped establish the and erect the Jewish Synagogue. Luke gives us this important information while the book of Matthew does not. So when we look at who is pleading, it is not the Centurion, but the elders and leaders of the Jews in the land of Capernaum.

Who is Valued?

Lets pay attention to who has given value to whom. The Centurion gives value to a servant. The servant is not said to be a friend, but is at best a hired hand and at worst a slave to the household, and yet the Centurion cared and valued his servant.

We find out that the Centurion also valued the Jewish people, who he at least helped to subjugate, and was a symbol of the enemy to the Jews. However, the Jewish Elders claim that the Century is WORTHY! in verse 4. Worthy of Jesus to heal his servant because this centurion loves the nation of the Jews. That he loved them enough to build them their synagogue.

When Jesus drew near to the house of the Centurion, the Centurion sent FRIENDS to meet Jesus! He still doesn't go to meet him, but sends his friends to meet the son of God. The centurion shows extreme humility here. He claims that he is unworthy to house Jesus, even after the Jews have claimed him worthy! He will not presume on Jesus’ time, because he recognizes how important Jesus is, so he infringes on his friends instead.

Jesus Marveled

Verse 9 shows us that Jesus Marveled, or was amazed after hearing all these things about and from the Centurion. I don’t know if you know this but Jesus does not marvel often, most of the time he makes others marvel at Him!

Jesus only marveled two times that I could find in the new testament. In Matthew 8, you get the same story as this one where Jesus marvels at the faith and actions of the Centurion, and Matthew 6 where Jesus marvels at the lack of faith in Nazareth. And Yet, Jesus Marveled at the Centurion, this non-Jewish man, whom he never met, Jesus was amazed.

Which of These Are We?

Who in this story do you think I want us as Christians to be like most? Most would say the Centurion. I want you, and myself included, to be like the elders of the Jewish people and like the centurions friends. Because without them, Jesus never would have marveled. He never would have been amazed at the humility and faith of the Centurion had not the elders of Jews and the Centurions friends humbled themselves and sought Jesus for the Centurion. I want us to intercede on behalf of people the same way these people did for the Centurion, so much so that Jesus Marvels and grants their prayer! Why? so that the centurion might come to a saving faith in Jesus himself, and not just in his works. Who are you interceding for today? Who are you coming to Jesus for?