Luke 7:1-10 introduces us to a Roman Centurion. A Centurion was the highest rank held by men who were not part of Rome’s elite political or social classes. They were commanders of a Legion, usually comprised of 80-100 fighting men. Often, they were men who worked their way up through the ranks by acts of courage and bravery.
The Centurion in Luke 7 lived in Capernaum. This Centurion had a dying slave that was highly valued. He sent some Jewish elders to Jesus to request that He come and heal the slave. These elders brought the Centurion’s request to Jesus and added that “He is worthy for You to grant this, because he loves our nation and has built us a synagogue.” [vs 4b-5 HCSB]
Jesus goes with the elders but when He is not far from the Centurion’s home, He is met by a second group who conveys another message. “Lord, don’t trouble Yourself, since I am not worthy to have You come under my roof. That is why I didn’t even consider myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be cured. For I too am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under my command. I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.” [vs 6b-8 HCSB]
I have always noted that the Centurion understood not just what it meant to be a person of authority, but he knew what it was to be person under authority. But I noted something a bit differently this morning. Jesus responded to the Centurion’s declaration with “I tell you, I have not found so great a faith even in Israel!” [vs 9b HCSB]
This morning I considered the distinction between what the Jewish elders thought of the Centurion and what Jesus thought of Him. The elders regarded the Centurion because of what he did … he built them a synagogue. Jesus was not impressed apparently by what the Centurion did, but what the Centurion had … faith.
Our worth is not found in what we do (although there will be rewards for those who serve God according to His plan). Our worth is found in who we are in Him. We are saved in Him through grace by faith. It is that faith combined with our need that Jesus responds to. Praise God!
