Unworthy and Faithful

Luke 7:1-10 is Luke’s account of the healing of a centurion’s slave.  A centurion is a Gentile military leader.  He sends others to present his message to Jesus. He doesn’t even dare to meet Jesus, considering himself unworthy of Jesus’ time and energy.  Yet he shows considerable concern for his slave’s wellbeing, certainly not treating the slave as disposable property. All the centurion asks is for Jesus to speak, just speak and healing will come to his servant. Jesus responds the centurion’s cry to help with compassionate response and with high praise, “even in Israel I haven’t found faith like this.” (verse 9)

In a sense, this passage anticipates Cornelius’ faith in Acts 10.  It also anticipates the situation of 20^th century Christians who believe the faith message and yet have not seen Jesus face to face.  This unnamed centurion may represent many of us who feel ourselves to be unworthy of Jesus’ time and energy.  This sense of unworthiness may be most profoundly felt on Communion Sunday when we are invited to come and receive signs of Jesus’ love for us, bread and the cup.  And we are invited to come not because we deserve to be there, but because we have needs only Jesus can attend to.

What word would you want Jesus to speak on someone’s behalf?  On your behalf?