Luke 7:1-10 · The Faith of the Centurion

1 When Jesus had finished saying all this in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. 2 There a centurion's servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. 3 The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, "This man deserves to have you do this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue." 6 So Jesus went with them. 7 He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: "Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."

9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel." 10 Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.

The Power of Faith
Luke 7:1-10
Bulletin Aid
by Dennis Koch
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Gospel Note
In this first of a series of messianic healings reported by Luke, Jesus' healing of the slave of a centurion is an interesting glimpse at Jewish-Gentile relations at that time. But this issue becomes merely an occasion for Luke to underscore the healing power of faith, which in this case means absolute trust in the authority of Jesus, presumably over demonic powers. The confidence of the man that Jesus' healing powers will be e…

CSS Publishing Company, CONTEMPORARY LECTIONARY PRAYERS, by Dennis Koch