WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday October 20, 2019
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HUMBLE
FAITH
(The
faith of a Roman officer)
(Luke
7:1-10)
In Luke 7:1-10, and Matthew 8:5-13,
two authors of GOD’s Good News, Luke and the Apostle Matthew, give their
respective accounts of the story of the “humble faith” of a Roman officer, a
centurion (a ruler over 100 men), who sought help from JESUS for his valuable and
ailing servant. Matthew was an eyewitness to this event, while Luke compiled
his account through very careful investigative work collected from verified
eyewitnesses who were also there that day.
Through man’s faith in CHRIST JESUS, he can
bring about healing to himself, and, to others whom he cares about. He just has
to rely on GOD with “an inward certainty” that will manifest itself through his
words and behavior. The Roman soldier in these biblical accounts was just such
a man.
After JESUS had finished preaching HIS, now
famous, “Sermon on the Mount”, HE and HIS disciples went back to Capernaum, the
place that eventually became HIS ministry headquarters, after HE was rejected
by the people of HIS hometown of Nazareth. There JESUS is met, either by the
Roman centurion (Matthew 8:5), or, by friends of the Roman centurion, who were
respected Jewish leaders in Capernaum (Luke 7:3). However, either way the
officer was calling on the help of JESUS, WHOM he had heard so much about, to
cure his beloved and valued servant from his illness.
This centurion was one of unusual faith and
humble character for a man of his position. First of all, his treatment of his
servants with love and respect was very rare, especially in the Gentile world
of unbelievers. Most Romans looked at their servants as only being “living
tools” that they would do away with once they were no longer fit to be used.
Apparently this centurion held, at least this particular servant, to be a very
valuable asset that he desired very much to, retain, not for usage, but because
he loved him as a friend.
Secondly, we see that this Roman officer
was a Gentile that even the Jewish hierarchy held dear and respected. In fact we
see in this passage that they had a mutual love and respect for each other, so
much so, that the Roman officer had actually built the Jews a synagogue in
which they could worship the GOD of Heaven (v.5). He himself, apparently
had also been converted to Judaism. In addition, he seemed to even respect
their Jewish laws and customs, including the one that forbids Jews from
entering into the home of a Gentile (v.6). HE also esteemed JESUS for WHO HE
was, as the SON of the living GOD, and he had absolute faith in JESUS’ ability
to heal (Vs.7-8).
Notice what he told JESUS in verse 6, “LORD, don’t trouble YOURSELF by coming to my
home, for I am not worthy of such an honor, I am not even worthy to come and
meet YOU. Just say the word from where YOU are, and my servant will be healed”
(NLT).
Here we see that this centurion understood
clearly that JESUS had “spiritual authority over demons and over sickness and
death” (v.8), and when JESUS heard his proclamation, he marveled, and was truly
amazed by this Gentile, who had shown more faith than all of the Jews whom HE
had met in the land of Israel.
Because the Roman centurion had exhibited
such unusual and humble faith, JESUS did indeed heal his servant from where HE
was. He had come to JESUS with “a perfect confidence” that seemed to say, “LORD
JESUS, I know YOU can do this”. And his faith in CHRIST JESUS, and his belief
in JESUS’ authority over all things on earth, brought healing and new life to
his beloved servant.
Faith in JESUS is for everyone who desires
to have it, including all Jews, and all Gentiles. Those Gentiles who believe,
and have faith in CHRIST JESUS, as this passage shows, will be blessed indeed,
also. And like a songwriter once wrote about our LORD and SAVIOR, “And like a
flood, HIS mercy rains, unending love, amazing grace!”
A Sunday school lesson
by,
Larry D. Alexander
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