Likewise, God expects love to flow from His church in generous and caring actions. He gave generously of his resources to build a synagogue for them in Capernaum. His love for the Jews was more than just talk it was combined with action. In addition, he loved the Jews, which was quite unusual since the Romans did not normally even like the Jews. The centurion's attitude shows that he was a man who loved those under his authority. The messengers, in appealing to Christ to come and heal the servant, highly praise the centurion ( Luke 7:4-5). When we are asked to pray for people who are suffering from illness or injury, are we as diligent and earnest as these messengers were? When we ask others to pray for us, are we as faithful as the centurion was? They set an excellent example for members of God's church today. They were committed and faithful in carrying out their responsibility. They present the centurion's request enthusiastically and promptly, as the Greek text indicates. The centurion does not ask in a general or indirect way that would be unclear the messengers are to be detailed and clear. To convey the centurion's faithful attitude, the messengers have to present the centurion's request carefully and accurately to Jesus to heal his servant. He desires a blessing, and to secure it, he knows he has to demonstrate earnest commitment. The centurion's approach to Christ is not casual but committed and respectful.
The messengers are to seek Him earnestly and formally on his behalf. What responsibility do the messengers have? Luke 7:3-4.Ĭomment: The centurion gives the messengers the responsibility to go to Jesus, not to sorcerers or pagan gods-He is the One the centurion seeks for help. Jesus acts at the proper time to save us from suffering and danger: "For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly" ( Romans 5:6).Ĥ. "Ready to die" ( Luke 7:2) reveals how grave the danger was for him. With this paralysis came horrible pain, and with the pain came misery. His paralysis could have been the result of any number of life-threatening diseases. How serious is the servant's condition? Matthew 8:6 Luke 7:2.Ĭomment: The servant is "lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented" and "sick and ready to die." Three words describe the servant's sickness: paralyzed, in pain, and danger. A good employee has a good relationship with his employer and vice-versa.ģ.
He must have been diligent and faithful to his master since he received his master's esteem and concern. Apparently, the servant was cherished by the centurion because he had endeared himself to his master through noble service. The centurion's character reveals that he not only thought of his servant as valuable, but also that he was concerned for his well-being as a key member of his household. What is the relationship between the centurion and his servant? Luke 7:2.Ĭomment: The centurion's servant "was dear to him." His affection for his young servant suggests that he thought of him with respect and as important. Humility is necessary for happiness in life ( Psalm 69:32).Ģ.
He does this by showing that a centurion was able to persuade the Jewish elders to help in pleading to Jesus for his servant. On the other hand, Luke, a Greek, had fellow Gentiles in mind, so excluding the warning to Israel, he instead encourages the proud Gentiles to ask for the help they needed for their problems. They were in serious need of humility ( Romans 12:16). Matthew, a Jew, seems to have Israel in mind as he records Christ's somber warning to the nation not to neglect personal responsibility and to put their faith and hope in God instead of civil and religious institutions of man. Why do Matthew's and Luke's accounts differ?Ĭomment: Although Matthew and Luke generally agree in their accounts of this incident, some differences occur. This miracle reveals that faith is sometimes found where we least expect it.ġ. Several centurions recognized Christ's special purpose and honored Him ( Mark 15:39 Acts 10:1 22:25-26 27:1, 43 28:16).
The servant's master was a centurion, a Roman soldier in charge of one hundred soldiers of the Roman garrison in Capernaum. The context indicates that this servant was not a little boy but a young man still in his teens. Matthew, however, uses pias, meaning a child or young person ( Matthew 8:6). Luke uses the Greek word doulos, meaning bond slave, someone born into slavery ( Luke 7:2). Both accounts indicate that the afflicted servant who needed Jesus Christ's help was young. Only Matthew and Luke record the miracle of the healing of a centurion's servant ( Matthew 8:5-13 Luke 7:1-10).
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