Marvelous Faith

This morning, we have come to Luke 7.  If you have your Bibles, please stand in honor of God’s Holy Word. 

 

I want to share a message with you this morning entitled, “Marvelous Faith.”  Our text is Luke 7:1-10. 

 

Today’s story is found here and also in Matthew 8.  In both instances and in Acts 10, we find God’s Word highlighting the faith of Roman Centurions. In the gospels, it is faith at which Jesus marvels. 

 

 

Exposition

In verse 1, Jesus had finished His Sermon on the Mount, or some would say, “Sermon on the Plain.” Then, He moved onto Capernaum. 

 

It was there that we are introduced indirectly to a Roman Centurion.  A centurion was a member of the Roman Army who had approximately one hundred men in His battalion and under his leadership. 

 

This particular centurion mentioned in verse 2 must have also been somewhat wealthy since he owned a slave.  We also find out that this slave was sick and about to die.  Matthew’s gospel tells us that he was paralyzed. 

 

We also see in verse 2 that this centurion loved his slave dearly.  This slave was highly regarded by his owner, and must have been extremely valuable beyond utility. 

 

In verse 3, the centurion had heard about Jesus healing many people and must have thought He could help in this situation.  Therefore, he wanted to be in contact. 

 

However, because he was a Gentile, he may have been afraid that Jesus wouldn’t respond if he spoke to him directly.  Therefore, He sent some Jewish elders with is request.  These may have been religious leaders, or they may have been simply older Jewish men that the centurion knew well.

 

When these Jewish elders met Jesus, they begged Him to come and save this slave’s life.  Notice their reasoning in verses 4 and 5. 

 

This centurion was a trusted friend in their eyes. From their perspective, he loved Israel and these Jews.  He even helped build their synagogue either physically or financially. 

 

Some commentators call him a “God-fearer.”  While he hadn’t been circumcised and thus converted to Judaism, he did fear the God of Judaism and respected the followers of that God.

 

In verse 6, Jesus started on His way to answer the request of the centurion and heal his slave.  In the mean time, the centurion had another thought. 

 

Realizing more of who Jesus truly was, he recognized that he was not worthy to be in His presence.  Therefore, he sent another delegation of friends to intercept Jesus and ask Him to simply command the healing of this slave.  Notice the message the centurion sent in verses 7 and 8. 

 

In verse 7, he said he wasn’t even worthy to speak with Jesus directly.  He had so much respect and reverence for Jesus’ authority to heal that Jesus could simply speak the words and his slave would be healed.

 

In verse eight, he explained further his understanding of authority.  He was one under authority and one with authority in the Roman Army. 

 

BTW, Do you recognize Jesus’ authority in your life by obeying Him?  If Jesus said it, does that settle the issue for you, and does your life reflect it? 

 

Take this little quiz from Matthew’s Gospel.  See 10:32, 12:36-37, 16:24-25, 18:8-9, 18:15-17, 18:21-22, 19:6, 24:42, 28:19-20. 

 

In verse 9, Jesus responded to this man’s respect and reverence for His authority.  Luke says that Jesus marveled at him. He was amazed at what He just heard.  You might even say this centurion had marvelous faith.

 

But why?  This man was an uncircumcised Gentile.  He was not raised in a believing covenant community.  His parents had not raised him going to the synagogue and reading and studying the Torah. 

 

However, he had faith.  He had marvelous faith. 

 

In verse 10, Jesus then turned to the crowd that included His disciples and most likely included some Jewish religious leaders and said that He had not found faith like this among religious Jews.  His comments served two purposes: to chastise the Jews and to commend the centurion.

 

When the second delegation got back to the centurion’s home, the slave was well.  He had been healed. 

 

 

The Centurion

In this text, we might first look at the centurion.  Notice his character.  He was compassionate with his slave.  He was kind to the Jews.  He was reverent to Jesus.

 

We have already spoken of his marvelous faith. He had faith that Jesus would could heal.  He had faith Jesus would heal.  He even had faith Jesus could heal and would heal from a distance by just speaking a word, and He did. 

 

 

The Savior

We also need to make sure that we focus on the Savior.  Notice that He cares for all.  He cares for the Gentile and his servant, and He cares for the Jew.  He also cares for the wealthy and the poor. 

 

Second, Jesus has authority over all.  We have seen already from Luke, and we will continue to see that He has authority over demons and disease (today), and death (next Sunday). 

 

Third, Jesus loves all.  He loved this centurion.  He loved the Jews that the centurion sent, and He loved the centurion’s servant.  We know that because He healed him, and He wants to heal you too.

 

 

The Sinners

Jesus is inviting you sinners today to come to Him. Come to Him just like the centurion, but come humbly recognizing your sin and Jesus’ holiness.

 

Jesus is inviting you sinners to ask of Him just like the centurion. Ask Him to save you.  Ask Him to heal you.

 

Finally, Jesus is inviting you to believe in Him just like the centurion.  Believe in Him as your Savior.  Believe in Him as the Lord of your life.