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A Centurions Faith - Luke 7
A Centurions Faith - Luke 7
The centurions were said to be the ‘backbone’ of the Roman army. They were in charge of ‘100’ men (more or less) and were the immediate supervisors and administrators of the army’s programs. In Judea that mainly was the occupational army acting as the ‘peace enforcers’ (Roman version of peace).
What we see though, at least in the few that we encounter in the reading of the NT, is a dissatisfaction with Roman worldview and religion. There were gods galore. Power made right (and the Roman army was ‘in power’). Yet, there was more to life. Their association with the Jewish people and the revealed religion of God, some of them converted. While they may have become actual proselytes, more likely they were ‘god-fearers’ like Cornelius (Acts 10:2, 22). These didn’t get circumcised but rather, to a large degree, tried to live by the moral code of the OT.
Hence this centurion was held in high esteem by the Jewish leaders of his community. “He is worthy” – so said the Jewish elders. He loved the Jewish people and paid to have a synagogue built. Yet, HIS estimation of himself was ‘I am not worthy’ of Jesus’ presence in my house.
He was well aware of power and its control, but in Jesus he could see the real power. This power was not a power to forcibly control, but the power of godliness and holiness. With Jesus he saw the power over illness, nature, and even death. He understood what such power meant: Jesus was the Son of God.
That was more insight than many of the Jewish leaders exercised! We still have the testimony of such men as this centurion. What have you done with such testimony? Believed?
Hugh DeLong
