7 When Jesus had finished saying all this to the
people who were listening, 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.”
1. This
incident happened right after Jesus had finished his Sermon on the Mount. This was in the early period of His
ministry. So, he enters Capernaum. At the same time there was a centurion who
had a servant whom the centurion valued highly was sick and about to die.
2. The
centurion heard about Jesus, and he sent some elders of the Jews to Him to ask
him to heal his servant. Today I want
you to draw your attention to what made this man so special and a candidate for
a miracle that day.
The Centurion
1. First, he highly valued those who worked for
and with him. He saw the person not the
position, or what they could do for him.
This was rare for Romans. They
valued might as right, slaves were property not people and slaves or servants had
nor rights, in that world. The master
had absolute power and could kill or mistreat a slave with no
consequences. Do you value those who you interact with? As a Christian it is our obligation, duty,
and responsibility. Every person is made
in the image of God and needs to be treated as such. Do you look as the vulnerable or less
fortunate this way? Talk about Mother
Theresa
2. He
was a person of action when he came to do something for those around Him. When his servant was sick, he did something
about it. James gives us the same
exhortation when it comes to others. We
must never sit idly by when someone needs our help we should spring into action
and do what we can. People are not an
inconvenience, time wasters, problems, or beyond our help as a Christian it is
our responsibility and privilege to help.
Remember when we do it to the least of these, we are doing it to Jesus.
3. He
had a good working relationship and reputation with those in that area. He got along with people in the
community. He was a man of influence and
knew how to navigate the world he lived in.
These are qualities we should strive for. Be a Daniel, stand for what is right, live
blameless and beyond slander. Be a
Joseph and work for the betterment of others.
Be an Esther and be raised up for a time like this. Be a person of Issachar and understand the
times in which you live. Live so well
that the local gossip will vouch for you.
When he asked the local elders of the community to talk to Jesus, they
were more than willing to do so.
4. He
loved the Jews and their nation. He
understood the special place the Jews had, and he loved them as a people and
nation. There is a blessing found in Gen
where God blesses those who bless his people and curses those who curse His
people. That condition still exists
today. We have ample proof around the
world to this reality. Israel has never
lost a war or conflict since 1948. Even
though he represented the Roman empire he did not have the view of that
world. He loved people and as a Roman
this was a rare quality.
5. His
love for Judah, the Jewish people took a practical expression. At his own expense he built their
synagogue. Love is not love until it is
shown. Words and intentions are hollow
until followed with action. You don’t
tell people you love them, until you show them.
You must walk the walk. James
says faith without works is dead. Don’t
tell people you love God, you show them.
Remember you are judged and rewarded by others and God by what you do
and not by what you say. I came across a
great post this week on social media. Actions
prove who you are, and words prove who you pretend to be.
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.”
1. Jesus then goes with them and enroute to the
house he is met by more of the centurions’ friends. This guy was well like and respected. This guy is incredible. He is rare among that world and ours. He tells Jesus to not trouble himself.
2. He
tells Jesus through these friends that he does not deserve to have Jesus under
his roof or that he is worthy to come to Jesus.
He knew that Jesus was special, different, and godly. He knew as a gentile, Roman and non covenant
person he was petitioning for God’s grace, mercy, and help. He understood that if you want to be great
you humble yourself. If you want to be first,
you need to learn to be last. Somehow,
he understood grace. He understood he
was not privy to the promises or blessings of not being a covenant person.
3. He
also understood about the way the spiritual realm operated. He says just say the word and my servant will
be healed. He said I am a man under
authority. He is told to go, and he goes
and as a centurion he tells someone to go or stay they do it. When he tells someone to do someone or not,
they are to do it. He was saying Jesus,
I know you have the authority, power, might and dominion in the spiritual
realm. You have authority because you
are of God, and you have power, authority, and dominion over sickness. Just say the word and it will happen. He was exercising his faith, trust, and
belief in the person of Jesus Christ. It
was his declaration of faith.
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.
1. Jesus
was amazed. This centurion who had all
these other admirable qualities amazed the Savior, the God of the universe in human. He turns to the crowd and makes a statement
that makes this man stand out among all in history. Jesus had never found such great faith even
in Israel.
2. His
faith was greater than the apostles, the high priest, the pharisees, elders,
scribes, and any person in covenant with God.
He was a gentile and Roman and yet his faith and understanding of faith
was greater than anyone in Israel.
3. The
results were that even before the men who had been sent had return to the house
the servant was made well. Did you know
that the centurion and the woman from Tyre who both being gentiles were called
by Jesus’ people of great faith? They
understood who they were and their position but still asked. Remember you have not because you don’t
ask. Heb 11:6. Says that when believe
God exists, he will reward us when we diligently seek Him.
Lessons from this account.
1. Love people.
See them as works of God. Love is action not word. Work with people and remember you are God’s
representative in your world.
2. Be
a person of action. Let your actions speak for your character, integrity,
and nature. Words are hollow without
action.
3. Love
for God always translate for standing for and with God’s covenant people.
4. Be
humble, respectful, and aware of how the spiritual realm operates. We need to operate in the same type of faith
that this man did. When we do miracles
can and will happen.
5. Faith
does not always need the human touch Jesus healed over time, space, matter, and
motion. Distance for healing is also
possible.
6. One
final thing. Many scholars say this man
was Cornelius of Gentile Pentecost fame.
Luke records this story and then names him later in the Book of
Acts. Cornelius is a centurion and has
the same testimony. We don’t know but it
seems like a powerful coincidence.
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