The Word This Week
Luke 7:1…
Luke’s recording of the story of the faith of the centurion bears special notice because Jesus paid it special notice.
More than anything it is a recording of how important our faith is in our relationship with Jesus, and how our faith releases His power.
Here we have this unnamed centurion, who had put out a special appeal to Jesus on behalf of his servant who was sick and near death. This servant was very dear to this centurion, who was evidently a very compassionate man.
His compassion for the Jews had been very notable to the Jews at Capernaum, which in itself is remarkable. Remarkable in that the Jews hated the Romans and all they stood for. Here we read not only did the centurion send Jews to Jesus to appeal to Him on behalf of his beloved sick servant – but in fact, it was elders of the Jews he sent. (It seems the centurion was not only appealing to the authority of Jesus, but he was also appealing to the authority of the Jewish elders.) Again, this is quite remarkable in an age when there was such animosity between the Jews who being dominated by the conquering Romans and the downtrodden Jews.
What would possibly motivate these Jewish to appeal to Jesus on behalf of the centurion?
We know the centurion had heard of Jesus’ power to heal, as this knowledge had spread far and wide in the region of Galilee. Again, remarkably we read here this centurion had actually built the Jews a synagogue. It is no wonder even the Jews appreciated this centurion, and they were therefore very willing to act as a go-between to Jesus on behalf of the centurion’s servant – who was also almost certainly a Jew.
When Jesus heard of this dire need, He responded immediately and headed to the centurion’s home. On His way he was interrupted. This wasn’t the usual interruption you may have read about on occasion in Jesus’ ministry – this was an interruption caused by great faith. The faith of this centurion.
Jesus found this man’s faith more remarkable than any He had seen, even in Israel.
Pastor Bill
Luke’s recording of the story of the faith of the centurion bears special notice because Jesus paid it special notice.
More than anything it is a recording of how important our faith is in our relationship with Jesus, and how our faith releases His power.
Here we have this unnamed centurion, who had put out a special appeal to Jesus on behalf of his servant who was sick and near death. This servant was very dear to this centurion, who was evidently a very compassionate man.
His compassion for the Jews had been very notable to the Jews at Capernaum, which in itself is remarkable. Remarkable in that the Jews hated the Romans and all they stood for. Here we read not only did the centurion send Jews to Jesus to appeal to Him on behalf of his beloved sick servant – but in fact, it was elders of the Jews he sent. (It seems the centurion was not only appealing to the authority of Jesus, but he was also appealing to the authority of the Jewish elders.) Again, this is quite remarkable in an age when there was such animosity between the Jews who being dominated by the conquering Romans and the downtrodden Jews.
What would possibly motivate these Jewish to appeal to Jesus on behalf of the centurion?
We know the centurion had heard of Jesus’ power to heal, as this knowledge had spread far and wide in the region of Galilee. Again, remarkably we read here this centurion had actually built the Jews a synagogue. It is no wonder even the Jews appreciated this centurion, and they were therefore very willing to act as a go-between to Jesus on behalf of the centurion’s servant – who was also almost certainly a Jew.
When Jesus heard of this dire need, He responded immediately and headed to the centurion’s home. On His way he was interrupted. This wasn’t the usual interruption you may have read about on occasion in Jesus’ ministry – this was an interruption caused by great faith. The faith of this centurion.
Jesus found this man’s faith more remarkable than any He had seen, even in Israel.
Pastor Bill