Readings – 1 Kings 8: 22 – 23, 41- 43; Galatians 1: 1 – 12; Luke 7: 1 – 10 – Year C
“only speak the word and my servant will be healed”
Today we meet one of the most attractive characters from amongst the many who are recorded in the Gospels as they encountered Jesus. This is the Roman centurion who is so supportive of the local Jewish population that he has built their synagogue. He shares their faith, whilst probably remaining an outsider or ‘God-fearer’ because he wasn’t born a Jew. His faith amazed and astonished Jesus in the way that often Jesus amazed and astonished others. The Greek word which is usually used about the way in which Jesus astonished people is used here for the way the centurion’s faith astonished Jesus.
We’re going to think today about what this centurion has to teach us about faith. First, some background.
A centurion, as you may know, was a professional officer in the Roman army, usually commanding a unit of 100 men, hence the name. However, senior centurions might command a cohort (600 men) or take on administrative roles within their legion. This centurion would probably have been in the service of Herod Antipas who was the ruler of Galilee at the time of Jesus. It’s worth noting that while this man is portrayed very positively, any centurion, as one charged with keeping the peace through military repression of Israel, could be regarded at least by some as an enemy of the Jewish people. Remembering this adds piquancy to this story.
Luke has placed this episode fairly early in the Gospel, although Jesus’ ministry is already in full swing. He has appointed the twelve and is already beginning to attract some controversy. His healings and preaching have drawn a significant following. The story comes immediately after a series of parables and sayings – about not judging others; about being aware of one’s own shortcomings before criticising others; about the goodness of the heart being demonstrated by one’s deeds, and about the two builders building on sand and on rock. It’s possible that the centurion exemplifies some of the virtues about which Jesus has just been preaching. Like the builder on rock he hears the words of God and acts on them in his support for the Jewish people (Luke 6:46). In doing this he produces good fruit from the goodness of his heart. (Luke 6: 43 – 45). The healing of his servant is placed immediately before the healing of another young man – the son of the widow of Nain, who is raised from his funeral bier. These are the culminating miracles before the message comes from John the Baptist’s followers wanting to check the identity of Jesus. Because of what we know we, the readers or hearers of the Gospel already have the answer.
“only speak the word and my servant will be healed”
As an army child – and even quite a small one – I was very aware that my world was highly structured. You knew exactly where everyone fitted in the hierarchy and who gave orders to whom. The world of the centurion was similar. He expected obedience from those under his command but accepted that he was also under authority. As with any good officer, those under his command were also in his care. For people in command, words are effective. As the centurion himself says, he only has to say the word and his soldiers or slaves will act. Things happen when he speaks.
In the first chapter of Genesis God speaks, and His words cause the primordial chaos to resolve itself into water and air, light and darkness, and then cause life to emerge. Jesus’ words are also effective; they heal, they forgive, they teach – his stories lodge in the brain and continue to reverberate – they raise the dead and even calm storms.
In this incident it’s almost as if Jesus – much to his surprise – recognises a fellow-being in the centurion. One whose words also make things happen. But it isn’t the command that impresses him, it’s the centurion’s combination of humility and faith. Despite his power as an officer of the occupying force and all that he has done for the Jewish community, he still knows he’s an outsider. It is Jewish faith which has made the centurion’s own faith possible. In the end, however, his faith outstrips that shown by the Jews. He doesn’t expect that Jesus will come to him, or consider himself worthy to receive him in his home. He knows that a word from Jesus is all that is necessary.
In all of this the centurion himself makes no claims for his worthiness for help; he simply recognises that Jesus has the authority to make his servant well, and he trusts absolutely in that authority. It is his confidence in Jesus’ authority which so impresses Jesus. He doesn’t need Jesus to heal His servant in order to bolster his faith. The faith is already there and moreover it does not depend on the outcome of the healing. There’s no bargaining here ‘If you heal my servant then I’ll believe in you’. Having found out about the Jews and their God, he has thrown in his lot with them. He has heard enough about Jesus to be convinced of His authority, and he simply acts on that conviction.
Jesus commends the centurion as an example of extraordinary faith. Let us pray that ours may grow.
Amen