Luke chapter 7

vs 1

Luke's divided up a funny way, with Jesus walking around a bit, then stopping and giving teaching discourses, then moving on. So now that he's finished his sermon on the mount plain, he goes to Capernaum.

vs 2

Imagine that, someone in a city is sick.

vs 3

The servant's boss, a centurion, is doing everything right. He doesn't go and speak to Jesus directly - he knows it would be better if he sent the Jewish leaders to deal with a Jewish prophet.

vs 4

Now he did this advisedly - if the Jews hated him, I'm sure he wouldn't have sent them. But their earnestness shows that they aren't just following his orders because he's the head of the occupying army in the town. They actually think he deserves for his servant to be healed.

vs 5

Even though he's not a Jew, he seems fond of Judaism. This could be their way of describing a God-fearer - a gentile who loves God but doesn't go the whole hog and become a proselyte. It doesn't necessarily need to be so - I mean, he could have built the synagogue there just as a show of good faith to the town and people. Regardless, though, he's obviously a good bloke.

vs 6

Jesus doesn't question them, he goes along with them. But it's not long before a second delegation, this time friends (Jewish friends? That would be novel for a centurion) come and say that the centurion doesn't feel he is worthy of having Jesus under his roof. I'm sure he also knows full well that a Jew going into a gentile's house would make him unclean.

vs 7

So he sent the leaders, not because he thought they'd make a good impression, but because he thought that they would be worthy to meet with a prophet the likes of Jesus. Remember, this guy has never met Jesus - only heard stories.

And so he asks that, rather than coming into his house, Jesus simply use his powerful words to do the trick.

vs 8

And the centurion gives his reason why - because he has faith that Jesus speaks with authority, and therefore also acts with authority. He's never even met him, yet thinks this is true.

vs 9

It takes a bit to amaze Jesus. Pehaps it's the greek heritage of Rome that allows this centurion to think logically about the situation. I dont know. But whatever it is, this man is praised for understanding Jesus better than any Jew. Because it certainly isn't a dumb faith - it is a very reasoned and considered faith.

vs 10

And things worked just as the centurion assumed they would. I mean, the story wouldn't be nearly so great if it ended with the servant not getting healed.