1. In The Footsteps Of The Master: The Life and Times of Jesus Christ
Two Healings
July 5, 2009

2. The Centurion’s Servant
Luke 7:1-6a
1When Jesus had finished saying all this in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. 2There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. 3The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, 5because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” 6So Jesus went with them.

3. The Centurion’s Servant (cont)
Luke 7:6b-8
He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

4. The Centurion’s Servant (cont)
Luke 7:9-10
9When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” 10Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.

5. The Centurion
Here is a centurion, a Roman soldier, a Gentile, who is loved by the Jews
He loved their nation
He built their synagogue
Both comments rather unique
Most Romans, especially soldiers, were hated by the Jews
They were the occupying force in the Jews’ homeland
This man was Rome’s agent in the area
Why would he have helped the Jews?

6. For Discussion Why would he contact Jesus about his son?
Matthew 4:23-25
23Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them. 25Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.

7. The Centurion and Jesus
Why would Jesus go to the home of a Gentile?
He would become defiled
Possibly a corpse present (further defilement)
Why would this officer not feel worthy to have Jesus come to his home?
He understood the issues between Gentiles and Jews

8. The Centurion addresses Jesus as “Lord” (kyrie)
Even if used in the social sense, rather than the spiritual one, it is quite significant
An officer of the occupying force is deferring to a member of the subject nation

9. A Man Under Authority
Why would the centurion make the point about being under authority in verse 8?
“I am also a man under authority”
He understood that commands brought results
The Centurion clearly understood who Jesus was
Why would Jesus “marvel” at this man’s faith?
How did Jesus describe this faith to the crowd?

10. Matthew’s Version Matthew 8:5-13
5When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6“Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering.” 7Jesus said to him, “I will go and heal him.” 8The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

11. Matthew’s Version (cont)
10When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, “I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 11I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

12. Matthew’s Version (cont)
13Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! It will be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that very hour.

13. For Discussion
Matthew’s version has the centurion coming directly to Jesus, without intermediaries
Remember that Matthew presents the Gospel from a Jewish perspective
He is highlighting the contrast between Jesus as a Jew and the Centurion as a Gentile
A Gentile is making a direct request to the King of the Jews
Matthew is

14. For Discussion Matthew adds Jesus’ comments in verses 11-12
What is Jesus saying here?
Many coming from the east and west will join the banquet (Gentiles)
But subjects of the kingdom (Jews) will be thrown out
Being in the Kingdom depends on faith, not on ancestry

15. The Widow’s Son
Luke 7:11-13
11Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. 12As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. 13When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.”

16. The Widow’s Son (cont.) Luke 7:14-17
14Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” 15The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.16They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.” 17This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.

17. Next Week Questions? An Inquiry from John the Baptist