Luke 7:1 When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum.
Commentary on Luke 7 helps me to understand that the centurion mentioned in these verses was unusual for the time period. For one, he has heard of Jesus and respects his authority as a healer. For another, he cares for his slave enough to ask others to approach Jesus on his behalf in hopes of procuring healing. Apparently, Roman law allows for the killing of sick slaves who are so ill they cannot work. This centurion did not choose that option.
Luke 7:2 There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die.
All of this makes me wonder why we are getting this story at this time. Is it about the miraculous healing that is about to take place? Is it to show us that the centurion stereotypes that abound do not accurately reflect each individual? We can definitely learn a lot from that. We may not have centurions today, but we’ve got stereotypes, and we use them to lump people into easy, faceless categories. Jesus, Help us.
Luke 7:3 The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant.
Precious Savior, Thank You for loving us as individuals and not lumping us into stereotyped categories. Help us to see each other as individuals. Help us not to lump and stereotype and judge. Help us to look at others, all others, and see You shining through. Help us, Jesus. Amen.
Luke 7:4-5 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.”
Have a blessed day.