As a Christian Natural Heath Professional, the study of health and healing is important to me. From the standpoint of a Biblical foundation for healing via natural means, the stories in the Bible give us an opportunity to watch Divinity. atthew and Luke both tell us the story of Jesus' healing of the Centurion's servant when Jesus was in Capernaum.
In Luke 7:2, we find these precious words: A Centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die. A Centurion – a Roman solider – had a servant (slave) who was dear to him. Most often, the master/slave relationship is one of abuse and harshness. This story is particularly sweet because the players rose above their situation and roles. So much of the story is untold but implied in the words, “servant, who was dear to him…” What created this relationship?
What else do we know about this Centurion? The elders of the Jews had a high regard for this Centurion for he “loves our nation and has built us a synagogue.” Again, just a few words that only hint at a beautiful story. Here is a Roman soldier who in some way has become connected not only with Israel but with Israel’s worship. And because he sought out the help of Jesus through the elders of the Jews, we can assume that he had heard of Jesus and had a great deal of faith in Him. It seems that he did not know of the great divide between Jesus and the elders of Israel. This is an interesting dynamic that is full of instruction for the elders of Israel…how different the story might have been had they just taken advantage of the opportunity to discover their own Messiah.
The Centurion acknowledges that he understands the process in the chain of authority…as he is also a man under authority. He understood not only having authority but being under authority. That was part of the reason he went through the elders.
I find it interesting that the elders of the Jews appealed to Jesus on behalf of this “worthy” man. They measured his worthiness based on his relationship with the people and the fact that he had built them a synagogue. Jesus went with the elders – intending to go to the centurion’s home. The centurion, however, sent friends to Jesus saying to Him, “Lord do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. Therefore, I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed.” Wow!
This part of the story is an amazing revealing of the character of the Centurion. The Jewish elders counted him worthy of help because of his “doing”. He, however, did not measure himself in this manner. The beautiful truth here is that his “doing” had come from a place of integrity. He had not turned his “doing” into a business transaction that bought him anything…this is legalism. Something in his spirit responded to the nation of Israel and Israel’s God. Loving the people and building a synagogue was a correct response to the truths that came to him. He did not use his power position as a Centurion to demand the presence of Jesus. He respectfully made his request through the appropriate chain of authority.
For the Centurion, authority was not something to resist or resent. It was something through which you worked to accomplish good. Just as he used his power for good -- building a synagogue and developing positive relationships – so he used authority and respected its process.
“For I ALSO am a man placed under authority…” (Vs. 8). To me, the word “also’ suggests that he understood that Jesus was under authority to the Jewish elders and possibly even the God of Israel. And the “also” suggests a type of equality with Jesus. It’s a respect of positions with responsibility. This man understood speaking a word and having that word obeyed. He did not doubt the power of Jesus because Jesus was under authority and even sickness and death obeyed this authority. He acknowledged this and much more when he entreated the Jewish elders on behalf of his servant. I think he also understood how damaging it can be to any cause when you have someone trying to work around or outside of authority. It would have jeopardized the work of Jesus by creating conflict with the Jewish elders.
When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him and said…”I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel.” (Vs. 9).
Faith – this is what Jesus sees in the Centurion. And it’s not faith in the healing. It’s faith in the position and authority of Jesus – a man also under authority. Faith, then, is the recognition of God as a benevolent Ruler who is willing to supply all our needs – even healing. Faith is submitting to the authority that is over us and never doubting that the word spoken is already fulfilled. Faith is seeing Jesus as a man ALSO under authority…the authority of divine love.
Faith is not what I work up. It’s a response to something absolutely correct…the position and power of Jesus Christ. Faith is not about my worthiness or lack of worthiness. God is worthy. That settles it. Even though the Jewish elders counted the centurion as worthy, he did not measure himself as such. Yet he was willing to trust in the power and position of someone else also under authority.
This story amazes me, and I think it is an incredible visual aid for the truth that faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not yet seen. (Heb. 11:1). Are we trying to buy with our “doing” what God is ready, willing, and able to give? Can I, like the Centurion, rest confidently in the power and position of Jesus Christ…a man also under authority? Wow…this story amazes me.
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