The Faith of the Centurion
I included this particular passage of scripture in a blog I wrote years ago called Marvel. It is a good read if you would like to enjoy it after reading this entry.
So today’s subject will focus solely on the account, or rather accounts, involving the encounter between Jesus and the Roman centurion. The encounter is recorded in two separate scriptures: Matthew 8:5-13 and Luke 7:1-9. The two accounts differ in various ways which we will explore. But it should be noted that they agree in many ways as well, not the least of which is the main message of faith and Jesus’ healing power. So let’s dive in here.
The account of a centurion meeting with Jesus is in multiple gospels: Matthew and Luke.
According to Matthew’s gospel this encounter happened in Capernaum and appears to be a direct meeting between the centurion and Jesus. Luke agrees with Matthew on location but writes that the meeting, at least initially, was conducted through emmersaries of the centurion sent to Jesus. This difference has apparently caused some individuals to feel emboldened to question the validity of all scripture. My only response to such a conclusion is maa.
The circumstances surrounding this meeting are in agreement as well. A centurion’s servant lay dying, in desperate need of a miracle. Jesus was in town and the centurion knew He could help. This is where I want to focus. Regardless of the account that you choose to study, you come to the conclusion that this centurion had some real faith in Jesus. In fact, the authors of these accounts quote Jesus as stating that this roman’s faith was greater than any faith found among the jews. Fascinating.
The centurion’s faith was a real, personal faith based in an understanding of who Jesus was and the power that He possessed. The centurion understood where Jesus obtained His power and how such power would be conducted in order to accomplish what was intended. Now contrast this understanding with that of the initial emmasaries sent on behalf of the centurion to implore Jesus to “come” and heal his servant. These men were said to be “elders of the jews” in Capernaum. According to Luke’s account, these elders were sent by the centurion himself.
How did they approach the situation? Their recorded words say it all, “This man [the centurion] deserves to have you [Jesus] do this.” [emphasis added] They actually approached Jesus Christ and told Him that a Roman soldier deserved to have Jesus serve him with the healing of his servant. Why did this centurion deserve this? Well, according to the jewish elders, it was because the centurion had “built our synagogue.” (vs 5). Now before we totally pile on these guys, we should give the elders a little break. After all, they did not know who Jesus was. But that is exactly the point!
The elders of the jewish community in Capernaum had no idea who they were talking to, but the centurion knew exactly Who they were talking to. It is postulated that this initial encounter was within close proximity of the centurion’s home. If this is true, I can imagine the centurion viewing it from his front gate, head in hand, regretting he ever sent the elders in the first place. But as Luke continues his account, we understand that the centurion, himself, did not feel worthy to have Jesus come into his house. That is why he sent the elders in the first place.
Jesus agreed to go with the elders and as He approaches the centurion’s home, the roman rectifies the situation by sending “friends” to meet Jesus. There was a new message. Luke refers to friends of the centurion talking to Jesus in this encounter. However, I find it interesting that the centurion is referred to in the first person throughout this second encounter. For whatever reason I believe Luke is writing so that we understand that the centurion was speaking to Jesus but referred to him as “friends” speaking to Jesus. Whatever the case, the conversation makes it very apparent that the centurion did not believe as the elders did. He did not at all feel worthy to receive Jesus into his home. He deserved nothing! But if Jesus was willing, all he had to do was “say the word” (vs 7) and the servant would be healed. The centurion knew exactly to Whom he was speaking.
Jesus did not go into the house. The servant was healed at that moment and the account ended. I find it interesting that Jesus did not feel compelled to visit this Roman who displayed such faith. Could it have been that He did meet him, as Matthew’s account states? Or if it was indeed always emmarsaries that spoke with Jesus, could it be that Jesus understood that a man with such faith was chosen to meet with Jesus in the future to hear those words desired by all who believe, “well done”?
I don’t have any deep spiritual message in this entry, just an interesting juxtaposition between those who may feel chosen due to their position, heritage or anything else we humans can conjure up to justify our self righteousness, and an outsider who has no position and yet holds a tremendous faith in the One whom he trusts in time of need.