In Matthew 8 v 5 – 13 a Centurion finds Jesus in Capernaum (a town on the north western shore of Galilee where a number of scholars believe Jesus probably came to live) and pleads with Jesus on behalf of his servant. Jesus replies;
“I will come and heal him”
But the Centurion replies;
“Lord I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed!”
The Centurion then continues to explain why he understands this could happen and the passage winds up with an amazed Jesus telling the Centurion;
“Go on home. What you have believed for has happened.’
There are several things about this passage that fascinate me.
- Jesus was approached by a Roman officer – A symbol of Israel’s oppression sought out the symbol of Israel’s liberation for a solution.
- Jesus’ response was inclusive despite the inconvenience it would likely cause – Jewish tradition suggested that a person would be ceremonially unclean for 7 days after entering a gentiles house, not to mention the disapproval of His critics who seem to have always been looking for fault with Him.
- The Centurion’s faith filled reply amazes Jesus and the Centurion is told to go home to find his servant healed.
However one of the most compelling things I find about this passage is the humility Jesus demonstrates. It is a stark contrast to some of the expressions of healing ministries some of us may have come across, no weird spooky music, no impassioned preacher shouting rebukes, no ushers making sure the congregation stay a healthy distance from the minister and most subversive of all no invitation to a healing meeting!
Just Jesus!
Jesus of whom in Hebrews 1 v 1 – 3 Paul the apostle writes;
“God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and everything in it. The Son reflects God’s own glory, and everything about Him represents God exactly. He sustains the universe by the mighty power of His command. After He died to cleanse us from the stain of sin, He sat down in the place of honour at the right hand of the majestic God of heaven.”
Jesus, is just going about His business when the Centurion finds Him. The Centurion not only interrupted Jesus’ peace and quiet but was a fully paid up member of the regime currently oppressing Jesus’ nation. Jesus responds … simply with grace and compassion, not a trace of frustration or bitterness. More than simply the disruption of that moment, Jesus is prepared to bear the continued disruption for the 7 following days of ceremonial uncleanliness.
Just let that sink in for a moment … He who sustains the universe by the mighty power of His command … was about to head to a member of the oppressor of His people’s home to heal his dying servant.
However before he does the Centurion stops Him. Maybe he understood the disruption he was causing, maybe he didn’t, but the pause he presses in the moment highlights an incredible paradox at the heart of the culture of Jesus. He says to Jesus;
“Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed! I know because I am under authority of my superior officers and I have authority over my soldiers.”
He understood the dynamic of authority. Amazingly he seemed to have perceived Jesus has full authority over sickness. The Romans had brutal ways of making sure authority was followed. There was no question that the command of the ranking authority was to be followed without delay. Amazed by his reply Jesus gently assures him;
“Go on home. What you have believed has happened”
And it says that same hour the servant was healed. In this way we find this beautiful paradox between humility and authority.
So no need to wait for a healing meeting to invite our neighbourhoods to, but instead I want to be more like Jesus and respond in humble authority when an opportunity opens to engage my neighbours with Jesus.
Long may our neighbourhoods come alive as we walk in humble authority!