We return to where we broke off the story before Christmas.
St Luke 7: 1 – 10
After Jesus had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. A centurion there had a slave whom he valued highly, and who was ill and close to death. When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave. When they came to Jesus, they appealed to him earnestly, saying, ‘He is worthy of having you do this for him, for he loves our people, and it is he who built our synagogue for us.’ 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; therefore I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed. 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.’ 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.’ When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.
Reflection
The ancient city of Capernaum, nestled along the shores of the Sea of Galilee, once served as a Roman army garrison town. Despite the military presence, some soldiers sought to build friendships with the local community. The Centurion in today’s story was one such philanthropic individual.
We often assume marginalised people are at the bottom of the social or economic ladder. But this Centurion shows us the complexity of Jesus’ ministry to the marginalised, as he, too, was embraced by Jesus’ compassionate attention.
Even though he held a position of power within the mighty Roman Empire, the Jewish community typically viewed him with disdain. The Centurion might have felt this tension, as seen in his humble and perhaps even embarrassed request for help for his sick servant. Yet, his philanthropy earned him the respect of the synagogue elders. This led him to ask Jesus to heal his servant from afar, a remarkable display of faith that amazed Jesus, who rarely encountered such belief even among the more devout.
What about us? Many of us might find ourselves in “middle-ranking” positions, whether in the middle class, middle management, or balancing various responsibilities and obligations. We might carry what we define as shameful experiences or traits of our own. But we can find comfort in this story. Like the Centurion, we, too, are seen with love by Jesus.
This story highlights two essential truths: First, even when we feel undeserving of Jesus’ presence, he takes joy in being with us. Second, deep expressions of faith can come from the most unexpected places.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, thank you for your healing love and for seeing beyond societal labels to the hidden wounds in all of us. May your grace reach even the most unexpected places in our lives. Amen.
Today’s writer
The Revd Daniel Harris, Community Minister, Rochdale Bury & North Manchester Missional Partnership
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