AMAZING FAITH

Illustration from A Young Folks' History of Rome

Lectionary passage: Luke 7:1-10 (NRSV) - After Jesus had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. 2 A centurion there had a slave whom he valued highly, and who was ill and close to death. 3 When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave. 4 When they came to Jesus, they appealed to him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy of having you do this for him, 5 for he loves our people, and it is he who built our synagogue for us." 6 And Jesus went with them, but when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, "Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; 7 therefore I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed. 8 For I also am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my slave, 'Do this,' and the slave does it." 9 When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, he said, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith." 10 When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.

On account of Jesus’ spreading reputation,

in Capernaum a Jewish delegation

came to meet him, as he came into the city,

in the hope they could persuade him to have pity

on a slave who was quite ill and close to dying.

On behalf of the slave’s owner they were trying,

a centurion who was quite well respected,

because when their synagogue had been erected,

he had made it possible with his donation.

So they now asked Jesus out of desperation,

hoping he would understand their intercession.

It is obvious they made a good impression,

for he went with them upon their invitation

to perform for them his healing ministration.

But before Christ reached the house to try and aid him,

the centurion sent others to dissuade him,

saying “Do not come. Our friend thinks he’s unworthy”:

“I declined to come to you, for I’m unworthy.

Only say the word for which I am appealing,

and I know my servant will receive your healing.

For I also am a man used to commanding,

and those under me do what I am demanding.”

Jesus thought the soldier’s words were most amazing;

he responded to what had been said by praising

the centurion’s great faith and then declaring

that in Israel it was beyond comparing.

Those who had been sent returned and to their wonder

found the servant was no longer down and under.

Now the moral of this tale is that believing

is the requisite to miracle receiving.

And no one who needs Christ’s help should be rejected,

for faith can be found where it is least expected.