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Commentaries
English
Luke
  
THE HEALING OF THE CENTURION'S SERVANT
(Luke 7:1-10)
1Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum.2And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die.3So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant.4And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving,5"for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue."6Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter into my roof.7Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed.8For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it."9When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"10And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.


The city of Capernaum was under authority of King Herod Antipas. The Romans stationed a garrison in that important commercial center, in order that the Jews should not surprisingly rise in rebellion against authority. The centurion of the detachment quartered there was a wise officer who did not dominate over the foreign enemy nation by force and violence, but understood them and loved them, for he realized that their religion, which calls to belief in the One God, is the right religion that is filled with power. He honored this belief, and built for them a new, wide, spacious synagogue, which became more famous and honored in heavens and on earth than the Temple of Jerusalem, for Jesus made it the center of his ministry in which he frequently taught, healed the sick, and drove out demons from the demon-possessed.
When Christ’s enemies had organized themselves to destroy him, and after he had chosen his disciples to preach, the representative of the pagan commander came to him seeking his help. The centurion had already heard about the wonderful works of Jesus. He sent his spies to him, and knew exactly that Jesus was not a fearful rebel who led the racing multitudes into a riot, but that he was overflowing with love, and filled with the power of God. His healings and casting out demons confirmed to the centurion his noble designs.
The cautious heathen commander recognized the voice of God more than the blind Pharisees themselves who, through their fanatic clinging to the law, became far away from the truth. The centurion believed in Christ without seeing him. He had his sayings and words translated, and then he examined them exactly and understood the message of the Prince of peace. He knew that his kingdom was not of this world, and was not founded on swords and taxes.
The good thought of the centurion appeared in his genuine affection for his sick servant. He did not leave him neglected, but looked after him, and when he was ready to die, his master found no means and help except in Jesus, the greatest Physician. But as a heathen, he was prohibited from receiving the teachers of religion into his house, so he sent messengers and elders of the synagogue to Jesus, to mediate before him for his sick servant. Those went pleasantly to carry out the centurion’s will, and told Jesus that he was worthy of his help, though he was unclean according to their faith. When Christ did not respond immediately to their demand, they insisted on him, and testified repeatedly of the kindness and favor of that respectable commander. In fact the love of God responds to every honest human service. Jesus went, though he was prohibited from visiting a heathen according to the law. He was determined to enter into the centurion’s house even if the Jews considered it a sin.
However the centurion had a sensitivity that made him feel that it was impossible for Jesus to enter his house. He expressed his great faith in words, saying, "I am not worthy that you should enter my house." Imagine how the commander of the occupying authority humbled himself and submitted to that extent to the judgments of the Jewish nations, calling himself "not worthy" in the full meaning of that word, in spite of the elders’ testimony of his worthiness, "he is worthy." This is the mystery of greatness in any great person. He that is worthy considers himself unworthy. Unfortunately, today he who is unworthy declares himself as worthy. How do you see yourself man?
Thus the centurion confessed his faith in the power of Jesus, believing that he could command the angels to overcome demons and disease, as the officer commands his soldiers to destroy the enemies and rebels. This foreign commander realized deeply Jesus and his essence. He did not only call him "Master", but officially called him "Lord", as we stated expressly in the original Greek text. No Jewish dared at that time to pronounce this title, for such a testimony implied a confession of Christ’s divinity in his human being.
Jesus accepted this faith immediately, wondering about the work of the Holy Spirit in this foreign man. He also marveled because of the unbelief in Nazareth (Mark 6:6). The Son of Man openly declared the beginning of the age of preaching the Gentiles, when the faith of the pagan commander appeared greater, holier, deeper, and more effectual than the faith of all his disciples, followers, and professing multitudes. He healed the servant immediately, for the power of Christ became completely evident through the centurion’s faith, even at a distance.
How does your faith appear? Do you only believe for yourself, or do you also pray for others? Where your love and faith come, in harmony with your unworthiness, near to Jesus, and you submit completely to him, the power of the Son of God appears with greatest expression in the salvation of your friends, even if they were distant from you. How does your prayer come out now, with selfishness, or with love for others?

Prayer
O Lord, I am not worthy that you should come near to me, for I am selfish and unclean. Please forgive me my iniquities and little love for others. Heal me and save me. Heal them and save them. I do believe that your power overcomes me together with my friends whose names are before you. You are our Lord and Savior. To you we worship.
Question
Why did Jesus praise the centurion’s faith?