Luke 7:1-5 1After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. 2And a certain centurion had a servant who was bad off at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. 3And when he heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come that he might heal his servant. 4And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy that you might do this for him, 5for he loves our nation, and he himself built the synagogue for us.”
Jesus had finished his sermon out on the plain and returned to the village of Capernaum, which was the center of much of his ministry in Galilee. The next story is found also in Matthew 8:5–13 and a similar account in John 4:46–53. A new situation arose as Jesus entered the town. Jesus had performed other miracles in Capernaum (4:23) and was well known by this point. A Roman centurion had heard about Jesus. A centurion was a Roman soldier in charge of one hundred soldiers, a significant responsibility. This centurion had a servant just about to die. The centurion’s compassion towards his servant is evident and reveals something about his character. Other evidence of his character comes out in verses 3-5.
A second element of this man’s character appears in his request for Jesus to help his servant. He trusted the Jewish elders enough to ask them to find Jesus. The Jewish elders trusted him enough to follow through with his request. There was obviously some level of relationship between the community leaders and this soldier.
Third, the centurion had faith that Jesus could do something about the situation and actually physically heal his servant. This request was not ordinary or casual but life transforming.
Fourth, the plea of the Jewish elders shows how they respected this soldier. Not all Romans were bad, just as not all soldiers or police are bad today. Many see their duty as keeping the peace and helping people. This centurion was someone like that. He respected and “loved” the Jews and even went as far as investing in the community by building the synagogue. There is no hint here that he was a believer in God, but that possibility is not ruled out.
From a Jewish perspective, Jesus had every right to reject this soldier’s request because he was a Gentile and part of the occupying force. Most Jews did not like the Romans, and some even openly rebelled and fought against them. It is highly likely that Theophilus, for whom Luke wrote this Gospel, was also a Gentile. This story shows the open invitation of the good news about Jesus Christ. Anyone of any walk of life can come to Jesus in faith and experience spiritual and even physical healing. The gospel is for all who will believe.
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