The Centurion

Luke 7:1 Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum.
Luke 7:2 And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.
Luke 7:3 And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant.

What sayings had Jesus finished speaking? The sayings he spoke in Chapter 6, ending with:

Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
Luke 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
Luke 6:47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will show you to whom he is like:
Luke 6:48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
Luke 6:49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.


Hearing the word and doing the word This shows that we believe and have faith in the message and the messenger. Our faith is on the solid rock, not the world's shifting sands. We are to hear Jesus and do what he says.

Luke 6:30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
Luke 6:31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
As Jesus entered into Capernaum, a Centurion asked something of him, not personally but through certain Jewish elders. He wanted Jesus to heal his servant.

A Centurion was a skilled, military commander in charge of from 80 - 100 men.
Being a Roman and not a Jew, he had no legal access to ask Jesus a question, so he sent Jewish elders to speak for him.

Luke 7:4 And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:
Luke 7:5 For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.

The Centurion had a good reputation among the Jews. He loved their nation and had built a synagogue for them. The Bible says that those who love Israel will be blessed and those who hate Israel will be cursed.

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 unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:

This time the Centurion sent friends to speak for him. He humbled himself before Jesus, he said he was unworthy that he should enter his house.

Luke 7:7 Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.
Luke 7:8 For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

The Roman soldier understood authority; just say in a word and my servant will be healed. He recognized the power of Jesus as a healer; "say in a word, and my servant shall be healed."

Luke 7:9 When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

The Centurion had more faith than anyone in Israel. Greater than John the Baptist who sent his disciples to question Jesus.

Mat 11:2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
Mat 11:3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?
Mat 11:4 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and show John again those things which ye do hear and see:
Mat 11:5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.Mat 11:6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

The Centurion had greater faith than the apostles who hid after Jesus was crucified.

Mark 16:14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.

Luke 7:10 And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.

The Centurions faith was answered, because his faith was in Jesus, the solid rock. We say we have faith, but how many of us are fearful? We hear the wicked news reports and we forget just who we trust. Speak faith to the needs you have. If evil schemes are discovered, the light will expose them and faith in God will bring his vengeance.The disciples were discovered hiding and fearful. He could have given up on them and he could have given up on us, but he didn't. He gave them something to do, to show their faith in him.

Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
Mark 16:18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Mark 16:19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
Mark 16:20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

We have work to do as well. The same command is for us. Our flesh wants to complain, so give it no room, take up your cross and follow Jesus.