How Jesus treated ‘outsiders.’

In this story we will discover who the ‘insiders’ really are. Christ had marveled before at the lack of faith of the ‘insiders’ and here (Luke 7:2-10) marveled at the faith of an outsider – a believing Roman centurion.

I suppose you have heard of the seven wonders of the world. At the last count there were 280! There are however seven wonders in this story. Seven things we can marvel at. Firstly, there is the courage of this ‘gentile dog’ who would send for a Jew. This is a marvelous faith that would seek to break through a Jewish system that hated the Romans. The fact that this centurion was a believer was another wonder. But then he asked for and expected no sign from Jesus. The people of the day wanted one, and when they got the ultimate one, the raising of Lazarus, they still didn’t believe. Fourthly, we could notice the condition of the servant, he was a dying man. The Centurion was willing to ask for what seemed impossible. Are we afraid to ask for something big or impossible or have we only faith for the little things?

The next wonder is the centurion could say to Jesus, “only say the word a house call is not necessary.” The sixth thing we notice is the Centurion’s humility. The Jewish leaders said he was worthy, that he deserved a blessing because he built them a church, but the Centurion said, “I am not worthy for you to even come under my roof.”

The last thing I appreciate about this story is the army officers’ compassion for his servant. He had been transformed by God to have a real burden for a servant he loved. Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.” The day is coming when He will come and heal all his servants who are dear to him.

The centurion had evidently heard about Christ; perhaps the healing of the ruler’s child had satisfied him that Jesus is the Messiah. He had attended at the synagogue. I cannot doubt that a man who had built a synagogue would be sure to go to it; and there he had learned of the Coming One, foretold by prophets and expected by all the patriarchs. This Anointed One was to work wonders among mankind, and especially wonders of healing. Thus, he had gathered that Jesus was the Christ, and he believed in him as having power to heal his sick servant.

The greatest light may enter into the darkest places. We may find the choicest flowers blooming where we least expected them. Here was a Gentile, a Roman, a soldier — a soldier clothed with absolute power — and yet a tender master, a considerate citizen, a lover of God!

Suddenly we see who the real ‘insider’ is, and later we will notice how the would be ‘insiders’ ended up becoming the ‘outsiders.’ Asking Jesus to heal his servant signifies that the Centurion understood who had the ultimate authority. He accepted that his own authority had limitations. Our Lord is the lover of humility, and the author of faith, God grant us to be steeped in both for Jesus’ sake.