Daily Scripture

Luke 7:1-10

1 After Jesus finished presenting all his words among the people, he entered Capernaum. 2 A centurion had a servant who was very important to him, but the servant was ill and about to die. 3 When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to Jesus to ask him to come and heal his servant. 4 When they came to Jesus, they earnestly pleaded with Jesus. “He deserves to have you do this for him,” they said. 5 “He loves our people and he built our synagogue for us.”

6 Jesus went with them. He had almost reached the house when the centurion sent friends to say to Jesus, “Lord, don’t be bothered. I don’t deserve to have you come under my roof. 7 In fact, I didn’t even consider myself worthy to come to you. Just say the word and my servant will be healed. 8 I’m also a man appointed under authority, with soldiers under me. I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and the servant does it.”

9 When Jesus heard these words, he was impressed with the centurion. He turned to the crowd following him and said, “I tell you, even in Israel I haven’t found faith like this.” 10 When the centurion’s friends returned to his house, they found the servant restored to health.

Reflection Questions

Crucifixions were almost routine in Rome’s occupied territories. Because we only hear much about Jesus' crucifixion today, we might think the Roman soldiers were all personally hostile to Jesus. In fact, like American troops in Afghanistan or Iraq, they were far from home. They did their work, pleasant or unpleasant. But they were sometimes friendly with the Jewish people, and at times even showed amazing faith in Jesus.

• History says many Romans held Israel’s faith in contempt. Yet here was a Roman soldier who financed a synagogue, cared deeply about his servant’s well-being, and showed faith in Jesus’ healing power. In what ways do you tend to “label” people? How are you growing in your ability to see each human being through God’s eyes of love, rather than letting easy group stereotypes determine how you treat people?
• The centurion sensed, more clearly than many people, that space or time did not limit God’s power the way they limit ours. How did he apply his own experience as a military authority to help him realize ways Jesus' power might work? Which of your life and work experiences help you better understand and trust God’s power?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, the centurion impressed you, not so much because he’d financed the local synagogue as because he showed such faith in your healing power. Help me to live like that Roman soldier. Amen.