Title: “Encountering Christ: A Centurion’s Servant is Healed” Script: Lk. 7:1-10/Mt. 8:5-13
Type: Series Where: GNBC 2-12-23
Intro: This morning we heard Jim Schlott one of our elders, recounting his encounter with Christ. Everyone who is a Christian has had to have had an encounter with Christ. For the past couple of years, my good friend, Paul Landoukpo, and I garden together in the community garden at the end of Taylor Street. Every year dozens of people grow gardens in that area. Amazing crops. Every year, however, that field has to be tilled and replanted. Otherwise, with a few notable exceptions, nothing but weeds would grow, even those few plants would be choked out by weeds in no time. Our lives are like those fields that naturally, primarily contain weeds. We cannot produce lettuce, cucumbers, potatoes or beets. We produce weeds that choke out good fruit. We can mow the weeds, but that effort alone will never produce acceptable fruit. If we really want that fruit we will have to go deeper. We must plow up the whole field and start again with new plants. (Christian Theology in Plain Language, p. 59.) Friends, only Christ can do that, and it takes faith in His ability to do that! In today’s encounter we will see a man who demonstrated an amazing level of faith in Christ.
Prop: Today we’ll learn 3 important spiritual truths as we examine another of Christ’s encounters.
BG: 1. The encounter we examine today takes place during 2nd preaching tour in the later portion of the Galilean ministry of Jesus.
2. I will be in Luke’s account (7:1-10), but Matthew also records in 8:5-13.
3. The main character in the account will be a Roman soldier, in fact, an officer who places complete and unreserved trust in Christ to meet a pressing need.
Prop: Let’s examine Lk.7 to realize 3 Important Spiritual Truths as Christ encounters a Centurion.
I. A Pernicious Problem Precipitates this Encounter with Christ. vv.1-5
A. A Sick Servant cause this Centurion to Seek Christ.
1. The Centurion was Motivated by Compassion to Seek Christ’s Cure.
a. v.2 – NASB says “slave” – doulos – bond servant- Notice the phrase: “who was highly regarded by him…” The Centurion loved his servant. There was a bond of relationship here between Centurion and slave. In Mt’s account the word used in v. 6 to describe the servant is “pais” a Greek word that uniquely speaks to the youthfulness of this servant. The servant was in some form of permanent relationship with the Centurion. (“The Chosen” intimates is his son by a woman not his wife.) Possibly was. From Mt. account we realize more details, the boy is lying paralyzed and in great pain. Possibly was an accident or fall. Whatever, the prognosis was not good. In fact, he was facing imminent death.
b. I want you to think about the Centurion’s motivation to seek Christ’s cure. He was motivated by love! A hardened, battle scared warrior! The backbone of the Roman Empire. One of the only individuals in society who had the right to flog a Roman citizen without impunity. A trained killer with a hardened conscience. Yet, he loved someone enough to seek Christ! Friends, we see people all around us today scared and hardened by sin and sin’s effects. We miss a very valuable opportunity, however, when we assume they neither cannot, nor do not have the ability to be appealed to on the basis of love or have the capacity to love. Love motivated this man to seek Christ.
2. How Does this Centurion Go About Seeking Christ.
a. The Centurion seeks Christ in humility with no appeal to his power or position. Never once does this man appeal to his rank, power, or authority to compel Christ to heal his servant. He is the master, his nation is occupying and enforcing the laws of Judea. In a demonstration of absolute humility and probably with an adherence to concern for Jewish law, the Centurion neither goes to nor demands that Jesus comes, but humbly asks for the intercession of others.
b. The Jews attempt to appeal to Christ on the centurion’s behalf appealing to his position and deeds. Illust: Sadly, in my lifetime I have seen a lot of people sick, diseased, and even die, but there is something that appears unusually cruel when such an affliction is visited on the young. The Jewish elders don’t lose sight of that point. And, so they go to Jesus to demand that he go and heal this boy, yet it’s not for the sake of the injured boy, rather, it is to appease the Centurion who is “worthy” of Christ’s action because v. 5 “he loves the nation and built our synagogue”. What are they saying to Jesus? Hop to it Jesus! If ever a man needed to be served it is this man. Why? Because he has done so very much for us. In other words, HE’S WORTH IT! (Have you ever thought how duplicitous these Jews were? Denying Jesus’ claims to be Son of God and Messiah, yet now, when a wealthy and powerful Centurion has a problem: “Perform a miracle Jesus!” What absolute hypocrites!
c. This represents two attitudes still prevalent in people today: “Jesus, I am unworthy, but I know you can help me.”, or “Jesus, I am worthy and you had better help me.” See the difference?
B. Even Today, Personal Problems often Precipitate our Encountering Christ.
1. Personal Problems are often used by our Lord to bring people to Faith.
a. Illust: My father in law used to say: “No one comes to faith in Christ without a crisis.” Now, that may not be 100% accurate, but in my experience, it’s pretty close. However, a crisis alone never guarantees that one will come to a true saving faith. I have seen a lot of people who never see Jesus in a crisis because they are looking at themselves or the size and scope of the problem. Illust: Twenty years ago I was talking to a friend. Her then fiancé had a sister who earlier that week had been murdered in a case of mistaken identity at a restaurant in California. A distraught man, who’s girlfriend had recently broken up with him came into a restaurant where the girlfriend always went to for breakfast. The girl had distinctive long black hair. Without a word came up behind her and shot her in the head. When realized it wasn’t his girlfriend, immediately turned gun on himself. Everything about situation defied logic and sense. I encouraged my friend to turn to Jesus! To this day, no evidence of faith.
b. Look in the Bible, many a man and woman came to faith in Christ through a crisis: the leper we looked at last week, the woman with the issue of blood (Lk. 8), the great catch of fish for the disciples (Lk. 5), this centurion, the healing of the paralytic (Mt. 9), the woman at the well (Jn. 4) , the woman caught in adultery (Jn. 8) even the Apostle Paul! (Acts 9)
2. Saving Faith Comes When We have a proper understanding of ourselves and our spiritual condition.
1.I love the humility of the Centurion.
a. Look at vv. 6&7 - “I am not worthy…I am not worthy…” This Centurion had obviously seen and heard Jesus. He knew that Christ was holy and that he had blood on his hands. He didn’t believe he was worthy to come to Christ or have Christ under his own roof! This is true humility.
b. There is a lesson here for all of us. “God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6) Jesus Christ never rejects a humble and contrite individual, no matter how messed up his or her life is. The same is true today! You can come to Christ.
2. A proper understanding of our Spiritual Condition Before Christ precipitates His work in our lives.
a. What is our condition? Eph. 2:1 “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,”, Rom. 3:23 – “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God..” Rom. 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
b. Illust- Salvation will come when we confess our sins and lost condition before Christ. Friends, revival will take place in our land when we humble ourselves before God. Not sure how many of you have heard, but there are signs of revival right now in the US! This past week Asbury College and Seminary was having chapel service. When service ended students began confessing sin! Praise became spontaneous! Students started coming forward to receive Christ. Some to Christian service. Still taking place now. For over 70 hrs. non-stop prayer and praise and worship! People are coming from all over to see it. Busload of students from IWU. Reports of revival on Ohio Christian University campus as well. If old enough, may remember in February of 1970 revival hit Asbury in similar fashion. Helped foster the Jesus movement of the 1970’s. Friends, God is at work!
C. Applic: What is an application we can take from this portion of the text? Jesus has all authority over sickness and He has all authority over every problem in my life, and I can trust Him fully.
II. A Precious Principle is Perceived in this Encounter with Christ. vv.6-8
A. The Centurion Demonstrates a Precious Principle in his Encounter with Christ.
1. The Centurion Clearly Sees and Applies the Principle of Faith and Trust in Christ’ Authority.
a. A centurion was a man under and in authority. His position was roughly equivalent to that of a Captain. In the classical antiquity period he commanded a “century” (100 soldiers -hence the name). During the Imperial era this would be reduced to 80 men. 6 centurions and their accompanying men would have formed a “cohort” in the Roman army. Centurions could serve in both the army or the navy. Their position served as the absolute backbone of the Roman Empire. Safe to say that without them would have been no Empire and Empire could not have run without them.
b. The centurion, by receiving Jesus as the Son of God and giving him due honor, placed himself in the middle of God’s chain of authority. The centurion was the link in the chain between Jesus and the sick servant. The centurion, by placing himself under Jesus’ authority, tapped into that authority and became the channel by which that authority flowed to the servant. Even though the centurion himself had no direct physical role in the healing, he was the human channel by which it occurred. It was by his faith that the servant was healed (Matt. 8:13). If he had not come to Jesus, if he had not recognized Jesus’ authority, if he had not come under that authority, the power of God would not have been released to heal the servant.
2. The Centurion’s faith in Christ is clearly set in contradiction to his previous works.
a. Notice when the Jewish elders go to Jesus, they go appealing on the basis of the centurion’s works: “he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” Now, make no mistake about it. Those are very impressive accomplishments of a Roman centurion. Most Romans despised the Judean outpost and it’s rebellious people. The monotheism of the Jews was offensive to the polytheism of the Romans. Yet, this man was different, he was a “good Roman”, and in the works righteousness mindset of the Jewish elite, he deserved to be served by God!
b. Is there a place for works in the Christian life? Of course there is. James makes this abundantly clear in Ja. 2:14-26 we see the apostle’s eloquent appraisal. Christian faith is demonstrated in our works. However, none of our works earn our salvation, rather it is a natural outgrowth of our salvation.
B. We Must Demonstrate this Same Principle if we are to Encounter Christ.
1. We Must Demonstrate Faith and Trust in Christ’s Authority in Coming to Him for Salvation.
a. At the end of the day, faith in Christ is an all or nothing proposition. Either He is Who He says He is or He is not. Either you go all in or you don’t go at all. Christian: Do we believe unflinchingly that Jesus has authoritative power over all creation, that He has given us access to that power through the Holy Spirit, and that He acts in powerful ways in and through us?
b. Authority – exousia – what’s permissible or allowed, it carries the idea of the capability or the right to do something. If ever a man could get this concept it was a man who had spent his whole life taking and giving orders, of obeying and expecting obedience.
2. We Must Demonstrate Faith and Trust in Christ’s Authority in Living the Christian Life.
a. The centurion believe Jesus was God and gave Him due honor. The centurion was the link in the chain between Jesus and the sick servant. The centurion, recognizing and trusting in Jesus’ authority, was the human link between the Son of God and the healing of the servant. Even though the centurion himself had no direct physical role in the healing, his faith was directly involved in bringing Christ’s authority to the servant’s need. It was by his faith that the servant was healed (Matt. 8:13). If he had not come to Jesus, if he had not recognized Jesus’ authority, if he had not come under that authority, the power of God would not have been released to heal the servant.
b. Now, that may be a little uncomfortable to some of us to consider. That in no way discounts or diminishes the absolute sovereignty of God. However, it does speak to your and my responsibility. Maybe you and I need to talk a little bit more with Jesus about a wayward friend or loved one. Maybe we need to be a little more intentional about sharing our faith with someone troubled and outside of Christ. Maybe we need to put a little more effort into the lives of others.
C. Applic: Friends, when facing problems in your life, respond by fully placing your faith in Jesus Christ. Ultimately, true and saving faith is both recognizing and trusting in Jesus’ authority.
III. A Person’s Faith is Praised in this Encounter with Christ. vv 9-10
A. Christ Praises the Centurion’s Faith.
1. Christ Compares the Centurion’s Faith to what He had seen in all of Israel.
a. Illust: What actually shocked or awed Christ in His ministry? Not much! We see here in v. 9 that Jesus “marveled” (astonished) at the Centurion’s faith. The same word is used in Mk. 6:6 for Jesus’ marveling at the lack of faith of the people in His hometown! These are the only times this verb occurs in the entire New Testament with reference to Jesus. Jesus was rarely surprised by anything, but those two situations caused Him to marvel. It astonished Jesus that, in spite of all the miracles, his townsfolk could see no further than the boy they had grown up with. It equally astonished Him that this centurion, entirely foreign to Israel and the covenant promises of God, could so easily grasp hold of who Jesus was in relation to his Father.
b. Illust: I want you to think about those two situations and how different they were. Why so? Because of the focus of the individuals involved! The townspeople of Nazareth saw only Jesus’ earthly father, knowing that Jesus was the “son” of Joseph, the humble carpenter; whereas the centurion saw only Jesus’ Heavenly Father! The people of Nazareth limited Jesus to who his earthly father was! The centurion saw that Jesus was unlimited because of Who His heavenly Father was! The two stories are all about how different people understood Jesus and how they received him. There is no difference today! Who is Jesus? Mere man? Good teacher? Rabbi? Moral philosopher? One of many possible options? No faith and no hope! Who is Jesus? Son of Man and Son of God! Second Person of the Trinity! Messiah! Coming King! Creator of and Lord over the entire universe! Savior! Result: Faith in the true Person and Nature of Christ! Salvation! `
2. Why was the Centurion’s Faith Praised by Jesus?
a. “Jesus said that he had not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. The centurion’s faith was not great because he believed that Jesus could heal by long distance. The centurion’s faith was great because, as a Gentile raised completely outside the knowledge of God, he had, in a way even the disciples had not yet seen, penetrated into the secret of Jesus’ authority. He had seen that Jesus himself was the Son of God, and because he stood directly under his Father’s authority, he had power even over sickness. The centurion understood exactly where Jesus’ authority came from and how it operated. And he did all this without being raised in the Scriptures or in the knowledge of God. But he did possess one thing, and that one thing was enough: an understanding of authority which was so acute it led him to the one with authority over all.” (David Campbell blog, 10-15-2015)
a. Jesus was never amazed by the faith of a rabbi, Pharisee, Sadducee, lawyer or scribe. He had scores of encounters with those people. Not a one understood Him, His power, or His authority like this pagan Roman Centurion.
B. The Servant is Healed.
1. The Centurion’s Humble Request is Honored by Christ. Mt. 8:13 – Read – Jesus honors the centurion’s faith and his request and he heals the servant. Notice Matthew’s insight: “And the servant was healed that hour.” Make no mistake of the connection. Didn’t just naturally improve. The paralysis was cured in that moment! That doesn’t take place “on it’s own”. Illust – I have seen stroke victims recover mobility, I have seen individuals with spinal cord injuries recover some capabilities, with years of PT, hard work. No friend, this is a miracle, and it takes place because of the faith of a pagan.
2. Friend, are you here today needing to encounter Christ?
a. From the story we’ve examine we see an injured or sick servant boy with no hope, we see a concerned and spiritually insightful centurion, and we see a demanding and works oriented legalists. Which one are you today? 1. Do you have a great need only Jesus can meet? Turn to Christ! 2. Do you have a friend or loved one in great need? Call out to Christ! 3. Do you see someone “God owes it to help” and you demand that He does? You need to examine your heart, be contrite, and realize you bring nothing to the table of grace. You see, one man was cured. One man was commended. One group was condemned. Which are you? Which am I?
b. Illust – Having started off dirt poor, with an abusive, alcoholic father who moved the family 16x in 1st 15 yrs of life, most people would say Carlos Ray Norris had little chance at success. However, against all odds Chuck Norris became: 6x world karate champion, starred in 23 films and wrote/produced/starred in, “Walker, Texas Ranger.” But success couldn’t rescue the Norris family the night they faced a life-threatening crisis. Wife, Gena went into pre-term labor with twins. “I had earned millions of dollars over my lifetime,” he writes. “I’d been a friend to several presidents, yet all the money in my bank account couldn’t help me now…. There was only one person to whom I could turn.” It was God. With his mother’s encouragement, Norris rededicated life to Jesus Christ, has been passionately outspoken for Him ever since. (Baptist Press, 9-21-2004)
C. Applic: Friends, the healing of the Centurion’s servant causes us to realize that true faith is recognizing and trusting in the authority of Jesus. Such faith makes Christ marvel and ushers us into His Kingdom.
