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by Sandy Shaw
When we move on into Luke Chapter 7, it is as if one stage of ministry is over and another begins. Jesus had been saying things to the crowds and to His disciples - teaching - and He had said everything He wanted to say on that occasion. Teaching is so important and teaching from the Word of God. It would be difficult to over emphasise this essential dimension.
Jesus now enters Capernaum. Much of the ministry of Jesus has been spontaneous. Those in need met Him, or came to Him, or He would be walking along the road. Jesus was not limited nor restricted to certain times and places and settings. He was prepared to minister all the time, no matter the circumstances.
In Capernaum a Roman Centurion's servant is lying sick, and this servant is highly thought of by his master. It was most unusual to care for, or be concerned about a servant or slave who was far below you. The Roman Army Officer would be quite powerful, with position and influence and authority. He would be a man of strong character - a Regimental Sergeant Major of a man - with leadership qualities – and we know that as part of the occupying force, he would be reasonably wealthy, and able to afford as many slaves and servants as he needed. There was a crisis in his home.
This personal servant is about to die. He asks some elders of the Jews to go and find Jesus. He wants Jesus to come and heal his servant.
Consider what he is doing - a military man - with a sick servant - asking Jewish elders to go and get Jesus Christ.
When a crisis arises it is good to turn to Jesus. They found Jesus and pleaded with him to go to the house of a Gentile - the home of an officer of the occupying army in their land. This could be regarded as a quite controversial request. Jesus did not refuse to hear them, nor argue with them or reason with them - nor say “This man better mend his ways and sort out this and that.” And Jesus never suggested that he should leave the army.
The Roman Centurion had shown a love for Israel. He had built a synagogue, thereby showing his love in a tangible way. He had been generous. God always sees generosity and rewards it in some way. He has a degree of faith in Jesus, and he does something about it. His position in life did not prevent him from seeking Jesus publicly and openly.
Jesus agrees to go. When Jesus is nearing his house, he sends friends to say to Jesus, "Don't trouble yourself - don't waste your time coming the whole way - you are a busy man and I don't deserve you to come under my roof. I am not worthy. Just say a word and my servant will be healed." Some people do feel unworthy, but what is really being shown here is this man’s humility.
He was a man of authority and under authority. When I give an order it is to be obeyed immediately. He knew what it was to take commands as well as give commands, and he recognises Jesus Christ is man under authority and with authority.
Authority comes from participating in authority and submitting to authority. He could see that Jesus was in perfect submission to God the Father, and so had perfect authority. He could also see that Jesus could say to this disease, "Quick March" and it would have to go - leave - move out - disappear. He so believed in the power of the Word of God.
The miracle begins when he places himself under the authority of Jesus Christ - who had perfect love - perfect submission - perfect power - perfect authority.
Many today have very little sense of authority, and find it hard to recognise it - and to submit to authority can be even harder.
Jesus marveled. He was surprised, and Jesus admired such faith.
You can imagine what was going through the Roman Centurion’s mind. “This man called Jesus has a potential which I cannot explain - but I recognise it. He is different from every other man I have ever met.” The servant is healed. The word well means WHOLE.
What you do with your problem is far more important than what your problem does to you.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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