Luke 7:1 When Yeshua had finished speaking to the people, he went back to K’far-Nachum. 2 A Roman army officer there had a servant he regarded highly, who was sick to the point of death. 3 Hearing about Yeshua, the officer sent some Jewish elders to him with the request that he come and heal his servant. 4 They came to Yeshua and pleaded earnestly with him, “He really deserves to have you do this, 5 for he loves our people — in fact, he built the synagogue for us!” 6 So Yeshua went with them. He had not gone far from the house, when the officer sent friends who said to him, “Sir, don’t trouble yourself. I’m not worthy to have you come under my roof — 7 this is why I didn’t presume to approach you myself. Instead, just give a command and let my servant recover. 8 For I too am a man set under authority. I have soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.” 9 Yeshua was astonished at him when he heard this; and he turned and said to the crowd following him, “I tell you, not even in Isra’el have I found such trust!” 10 When the messengers got back to the officer’s house, they found the servant in good health.
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"After Jesus had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum."(Luke 7:1)
What happens when the sermon ends? In Jesus' ministry, often once the words have been spoken, he leaves his place of speaking and reenters the streets in his ongoing public ministry. Today's gospel reading records one such public encounter. Representatives of a centurion seek out Jesus on the Capernaum streets. We might recall King Solomon dedicating the temple, declaring it to be a place of sanctuary, especially to the foreigner. In today's reading, an outsider, a centurion, has heard of the amazing deeds of Jesus. With no one else to turn to for help, this outsider turns to Jesus, requesting only a word from Jesus. "Simply say the Word..." are his confident expectation of healing and wholeness in the words from Jesus.
The rhythm of the gospel encounter continues: speak the words, engage others in the public square, and when asked, share the Good Word simply, confident that wholeness can and will be among the results of God's good favor.
Lord Jesus, simply say the word and we will be whole. We testify to your greatness with an accent of wonder in our voice. Empower us to go out into the public arena and fill us with courage to simply share the truth and power of your Word. Amen.
Chris Quello
Retired
Master of Divinity, 1966
Luke 7:1 After Jesus had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum.
2 A centurion there had a slave whom he valued highly, and who was ill and close to death.
3 When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave.
4 When they came to Jesus, they appealed to him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy of having you do this for him,
5 for he loves our people, and it is he who built our synagogue for us."
6 And Jesus went with them, but when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, "Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof;
7 therefore I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed.
8 For I also am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, "Go,' and he goes, and to another, "Come,' and he comes, and to my slave, "Do this,' and the slave does it."
9 When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, he said, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith."
10 When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.[New Revised Standard Version]
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