An Example of Great Faith

Jesus and the Just Reign of God
Live Justly in the Reign of God
Treat Everyone Equally

Luke 7:1-10

The Message

A Place of Holy Mystery

7 ^1-5 When he finished speaking to the people, he entered Capernaum. A Roman captain there had a servant who was on his deathbed. He prized him highly and didn’t want to lose him. When he heard Jesus was back, he sent leaders from the Jewish community asking him to come and heal his servant. They came to Jesus and urged him to do it, saying, “He deserves this. He loves our people. He even built our meeting place.”

^6-8 Jesus went with them. When he was still quite far from the house, the captain sent friends to tell him, “Master, you don’t have to go to all this trouble. I’m not that good a person, you know. I’d be embarrassed for you to come to my house, even embarrassed to come to you in person. Just give the order and my servant will get well. I’m a man under orders; I also give orders. I tell one soldier, ‘Go,’ and he goes; another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
^9-10 Taken aback, Jesus addressed the accompanying crowd: “I’ve yet to come across this kind of simple trust anywhere in Israel, the very people who are supposed to know about God and how he works.” When the messengers got back home, they found the servant up and well.

For Reflection

What are the characteristics of this Roman that one would call him one of great faith?

• He has declared allegiance to the god of the Roman Empire, the Caesar.
• He has killed or ordered the killing of people for the sake of the Roman Empire.
• He probably worships other Gods.
• He was loyal to those who served him well.
• He was desperate.
• He was humble.
• He believed in the power of Jesus to heal.
• He willingly gave up his self-pride, self-trust, self-worth and dignity.
• He asked for help.
• He gave himself to the compassion and power of Christ. 

Pray
that you will have the the strength of faith demonstrated by this selfless act of a Roman soldier.