Text:

‘I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith [as this man’s]’ – Luke 7:9 Amplified Bible

Thought:

The well-known Bible text often quoted at weddings says, ‘Now abides faith, hope, love, but the greatest of these is love.’ ¹ I want to reverse the order as we study the miraculous healing of the Centurion’s servant. We will see how love searched out hope and from that sprung faith.

• Love – ‘who was dear to him’

This is a love story that is quite amazing. Roman centurions are not normally noted for love. The dream of Nebuchadnezzar which Daniel interpreted revealed the next 4 world empires – Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Grecian and Roman. ² In the dream, the metal used to describe the Roman Empire was iron and that is how they really were – cold, hard, ruthless and unbending. So for a centurion to care so much about a servant was an anomaly. One could hire and replace servants anytime, anywhere. Slaves were two a penny, often the spoils of war. Yet this servant was dear to the commander in charge of Capernaum. Not only that, he cared about the Jewish nation too and had built a synagogue for them.

It is amazing how bonds can be formed that will transcend barriers of nationality, race, social class and material wealth. The Centurion loved his servant and did not care who knew as he set about trying to help him. He would have tried the doctors first, footing any bills but soon ran out of ideas as his servant inched slowly towards certain death.

• Hope – ‘sick and ready to die’

It was said of Abraham that, ‘contrary to hope, in hope believed.’ ³ He was the father of faith and some of it was about to enter the Centurion’s heart. Staring death in the face, hope springs up galvanising him into action. What was the cause of such hope? ‘When he heard about Jesus.’

Dear Christian, does what you tell others about Jesus give them hope in the midst of their troubles and problems? I wonder what this world has heard about Jesus this Christmastime? Has it given them hope that God can help them too?

What had this Centurion heard about Jesus? The chapters prior to our text reveal some amazing things that took place all around Capernaum which contributed to him having hope. He heard about:

Jesus casting out demons from a man they called Demoniac, he had so many. ⁴ That evening was an especially good time for miracles as people headed for Jesus after work. ⁵ They were so thankful that He didn’t stop work at 5pm but often carried on long into the evening, healing people.

He heard about a miraculous catch of fish. ⁶ Some said it was coincidence but Peter and his fellow fishermen knew the truth. There was the leper who had been healed. ⁷ The paralytic who was forgiven and raised from his sick bed because his friends stopped at nothing to get him to Jesus. ⁸ Then there was Matthew the tax-collector who resigned from his lucrative employment simply because Jesus said, ‘Follow Me.’ ⁹ Capernaum was buzzing with stories of miracles. The more he heard, the more he became convinced that Jesus could heal his servant.

Oh that churches and Christians alike would tell the world about the real Jesus.

• Faith – ‘But say the word and my servant will be healed’

Although the Jewish elders were quick to sing the Centurion’s praises, he quickly took the place of someone who was undeserving. Yet even when he humbled himself it did not hinder faith, only helped it. He is one of only 2 people in the Bible that Jesus declared had great faith. He said, “Jesus you do not need to be here in person to heal my servant. Just give the command like I do and it will happen!” And Jesus did just that! So when those sent returned home to the Centurion, they found his servant well. Hallelujah!

Do you have someone dear to you in great need? Everything has been tried to no avail and they are getting worse.  Have you considered Jesus? He said, ‘The things that are impossible with men are possible with God.’ ¹⁰ If what people around are telling you about Jesus does not inspire and ignite your faith, then pick up a Bible and start reading the Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

The Jesus you will read about is the same today. ¹¹ The faith that brought about miracles then is the same today. God has given everyone that kind of faith to use today. ¹²

It’s up to you to use it!

Make sure you look up the Bible references.

1 – 1 Corinthians 13:13           2 – Daniel 2:36-45       3 – Romans 4:18         4 – Luke 4:31-37

5 – Luke 4:40-41                     6 – Luke 5:1-11           7 – Luke 5:12-16         8 – Luke 5:17-26

9 – Luke 5:27-32                     10 – Luke 18:27          11 – Hebrews 13:8      12 – Romans 12:3