Context No. 4274 of 4322 · Luke
Context · Reflection
Luke 7:1-8: in context
1After he had finished speaking in the hearing of the people, he entered into Capernaum. 2A certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick and at the point of death. 3When he heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and save his servant. 4When they came to Jesus, they begged him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy for you to do this for him, 5for he loves our nation, and he built our synagogue for us.” 6Jesus went with them. When he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying to him, “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I am not worthy for you to come under my roof. 7Therefore I didn’t 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 under myself soldiers. I tell this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
A centurion's beloved servant is dying, and the centurion sends to Jesus for help. But as Jesus approaches his house, the centurion sends word: Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. Just say the word, and my servant will be healed. As a military man who understands authority, he knows that Jesus need only speak, and it will be done, just as his own commands are obeyed without his being present.
Two things stand out. The centurion's humility: I am not worthy, he says, not presuming on Jesus but approaching him with lowliness, though he was a man of rank. And his remarkable faith in the authority of Jesus' word: just say the word, and my servant will be healed. He believed that Jesus' word alone, without his presence or touch, carried the authority to accomplish what it said. Jesus marveled at such faith.
The faith that honors Christ joins deep humility, I am not worthy, with a high confidence in the authority of Christ's word, just say the word. The centurion did not need signs or Jesus' physical presence; he trusted that what Christ spoke would surely be done. To approach Christ with such humility, and to trust the sheer authority of his word, is the faith that Jesus himself commended.
Do I come to Christ with the centurion's combination of humility, knowing I am not worthy, and confident faith in the authority of his word, trusting that what he speaks will surely be done, without needing signs or props to believe?