Centurion at Capernaum
Introduction: This event is recorded in Matthew and in Luke, with some variation in the perspective of presentation between the two accounts. Though Jesus was seeking the “lost sheep of Israel,” this Gentile centurion demonstrated his belief that Jesus was the LORD. The centurion had very good relations with the Jews, and he had a very sick servant that he loved, so he made a request to Jesus for healing of the servant. The significant comment from Jesus was that he had not seen such faith even in Israel, and Jesus then healed the servant with just a word.
NOTE: Scripture passages are from the American King James Bible.
A — Jesus Entered Capernaum
Luke 7 “1 Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum. 2 And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick, and ready to die. 3 And when he heard of Jesus, he sent to him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they sought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this: 5 For he loves our nation, and he has built us a synagogue.”
Comments: The Roman centurion heard that Jesus was in Capernaum and sent the elders of the Jews to ask of Jesus for his servant who seemed close to death. The elders were those who would have some respect and authority in the Jewish community, and the centurion had the military authority of the Roman government for that city. There was apparently a mutual respect between them as the Jews spoke well of the centurion to Jesus, even saying that he loved their nation and had been instrumental in the building of their synagogue. They cited those facts as an indication that the centurion was “worthy” to have Jesus go to him to heal his servant.
B — Jesus Was Willing to Go to the House to Heal the Servant
Matthew 8 “7 And Jesus said to him, I will come and heal him. 8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that you should come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.”
Luke 7 “6 Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying to him, Lord, trouble not yourself: for I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof: 7 Why neither thought I myself worthy to come to you: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.”
Comments: Jesus said he would go to the house and heal the servant, but the humility of the centurion was such that he did not consider himself worthy to have the Lord enter into his house. The account in Luke gives the extra statement from the centurion that he had sent others because he was not even worthy to go directly to the Lord. The centurion was requesting that Jesus simply speak the word of healing from a distance, because he believed Jesus had the power to heal his servant in that manner.
C — The Centurion Understood the Authority of Jesus
Matthew 8 “9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goes; and to another, Come, and he comes; and to my servant, Do this, and he does it. 10 When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to them that followed, Truly I say to you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.”
Comments: The centurion expressed his faith in Jesus in terms that related to his own personal experience in life. He was under the authority of others of higher rank than himself, but he also had authority over his soldiers and his servants. They were obedient to his authority such that he only needed to speak a word to them, and they would respond immediately. The centurion believed that the authority of Jesus was at the highest level, and he could command that things be done even in the realm outside of human understanding. Jesus told those following him to take note that such strong faith was not even evident among those of Israel.
D — Many Outside Israel Will Enter the Kingdom of Heaven
Matthew 8 “11 And I say to you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Comments: Jesus made the point that the children of Israel would not have entrance into the kingdom of God simply by tradition and bloodline, but he directed their attention to the example of faith in God shown by the Gentile centurion. He gave a stern warning that by faith many from all points of the compass would come into the kingdom while not being Jews; and many who thought they were children of the kingdom because they were Jews, would be left outside due to their lack of abiding faith in the grace and mercy of the LORD.
E — Faith That Receives Healing from a Distance
Matthew 8 “13 And Jesus said to the centurion, Go your way; and as you have believed, so be it done to you. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.”
Luke 7 “10 And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.”
Comments: Because the centurion believed Jesus had the power over even a fatal sickness, and did not make his request based on any worthiness in himself, the Lord chose to immediately grant the request to heal the servant. The elders found the servant healed when they returned to the house. The centurion had been there all along so he would have been able to tell them at what time the healing took place, verifying that it was at the selfsame hour that the word was spoken by Jesus. The Lord recognizes those who come to him in humility with no dependence on their own worthiness.
Reflections in Prayer
I thank you, Lord, that this account shows that it is not necessary to see you in the flesh to make a request to you. Because you are the true and living God, you are present everywhere and at all times. The requests by prayer offered in faith will be answered according to your will. I thank you, LORD, for this historical example of a centurion who made a request for the need of another person even though he understood he could not make his request based on his own worthiness before you. May I have a similar faith because you have changed my heart, not because I have any merit before you by following religious practice or tradition. Guide me in prayer for others that your mercy would flow out by your will. I thank you, Lord, that you have opened the way for me to joyfully await the coming of your kingdom because you have given me the sure hope of entering into it by your grace and mercy. Amen and amen.
Published 20 April 2014