The Healing of a Centurion’s Slave
www.graceandspace.org
Lk 7:1-10
1When [Jesus] had finished all his words to the people, he entered Capernaum. 2A centurion there had a slave who was ill and about to die, and he was valuable to him. 3When he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and save the life of his slave. 4They approached Jesus and strongly urged him to come, saying, “He deserves to have you do this for him, 5for he loves our nation and he built the synagogue for us.” 6And
Jesus went with them, but when he was only a short distance from the
house, the centurion sent friends to tell him, “Lord, do not trouble
yourself, for I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof.
7Therefore, I did not consider myself worthy to come to you; but say the word and let my servant be healed. 8For
I too am a person subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me.
And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come here,’ and he
comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9When
Jesus heard this he was amazed at him and, turning, said to the crowd
following him, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.”
10When the messengers returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.
Reflection:
A centurion there had a slave.
In the Roman Empire, a centurion is a commander of a hundred soldiers
and also a master of slaves in his household. The master has the power
of life and death over his slaves.
In
the Gospel, the centurion is exceptional and makes a great impact even
though his name is not mentioned. He is a master who cares for the life
of his slave. He treats his slave as a family member. Furthermore, he is
a pagan yet he loves the nation of the Jews and has built a synagogue
for them. He is a man of power yet he recognizes Jesus as more powerful
to heal and save his slave. He stoops down to beg the elders for Jesus.
He does not consider himself worthy to request Jesus personally. He
respects the religious culture of the Jews and a law that prohibits Jews
from coming in contact with non-Jews and entering pagan territory. Thus
he sends emissaries to tell Jesus not to enter his pagan house and just
say the word of healing from a distance. He knows the power of a word
of command, basing on his military experience. He alone acknowledges
Jesus’ word as powerful to effect healing even from a distance.
How do you treat your household help?
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