Luke 7:1-10

content/bible_journal/luke_7:1-10.md

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+title = "Luke 7:1–10"
+date = "2022-11-14"
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+
+### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Lk7.1-10)
+
+Some time after giving the sermon, Jesus returns to Capernaum. When word gets
+around that He is back, He is approached by some Jewish elders with a request
+for healing. What's unusual is that the request isn't for themselves or for
+someone they are close to, but for a Roman centurion's slave. Even more unusual
+is that the request comes from the centurion himself, and he also has a good
+enough relationship with these community leaders to have them ask Jesus for
+help on his behalf. To put this in perspective, imagine a British Empire army
+captain asking for an Indian guru to help his butler.
+
+Jesus agrees to go with them, but on the way, some more of the centurion's
+friends stop Him, saying that the man's house is not worthy to have Jesus under
+its roof. But the centurion also sent word that he knew if Jesus just said so,
+his slave would be healed, because he understands how authority and the chain
+of command work. His faith in Jesus is so great that he knows Jesus can heal
+from a distance, because Jesus has authority over the disease. Jesus is amazed
+at the centurion's faith, and says it is greater than any He has seen in
+Israel. He goes on His way and the slave is healed.
+
+We don't know how or why this centurion came to have such great faith, but his
+example is certainly one we should strive to emulate. Notice also how humble he
+was: he didn't order Jesus to see him, even though he probably had the civil
+authority to do so. He didn't ask Jesus to come into his house because that
+would have made Him ritually unclean (though maybe that's a Pharisaical
+tradition).
+
+* * *
+
+Give us great faith and humility, for we love You with our whole lives.