Luke 7:1-10
1 After Jesus had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. 2 A centurion there had a slave whom he valued highly, and who was ill and close to death. 3 When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave. 4 When they came to Jesus, they appealed to him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy of having you do this for him, 5 for he loves our people, and it is he who built our synagogue for us." 6 And Jesus went with them, but when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, "Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; 7 therefore I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed. 8 For I also am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, "Go,' and he goes, and to another, "Come,' and he comes, and to my slave, "Do this,' and the slave does it." 9 When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, he said, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith." 10 When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.
Reflection
It's important to note that the centurion was a Gentile. The centurion cared for his slave and valued the slave highly. Since the centurion was a Gentile, he sent some Jewish elders to talk to Jesus. The centurion not only cared about his slave but he cared about Jesus. You begin to form a view that this centurion was really a good man that appealed to the people. It seems the Jewish elders thought highly of the centurion and that this centurion cared about people and his relationships with the people that God had given him. And on top of all this, the centurion had faith in Jesus. He had faith that Jesus could heal with a word.
The faith and love of the centurion stands as an example of how we should live in relationship with God and with one another. First off, we can have faith in God. We can turn to God in prayer and make our requests known to him. We can stop the worry and by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let our requests be made known to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4).
Secondly we can turn to God and turn to one another in love. We can begin to treat each other out of a love that is patient and kind, a love that is not envious, boastful, arrogant or rude, a love that does not insist upon it's own way, a love that is not irritable or resentful, a love that does not rejoice in wrongdoing but rejoices in truth. We can treat each other with a love that bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things and a love that endures all things (1 Corinthians 13).
Finally we can treat one another with respect and honor. A respect that cares for the other person. A respect that doesn't seek to be served but rather to serve. Jesus showed this respect to us in that he came not to be served, but to serve and give his life a ransom for many (Mark 10).
Yes, the centurion treated people in these ways. Good qualities that I fall short of in many ways. But as I go through life I seek the qualities of the centurion and the will of God. Qualities that are not instant, at least for me, by any stretch. Qualities that one could live life with. Qualities that gain the attention of Jesus. Qualities that emulate the faith to have in Jesus my Savior.
Prayer
Lord, teach me the way that you would have me be. Build in me the faith and the qualities of character that you wish for me to have with you and with those you give to me... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
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