Jesus Heals the Centurion's Slave

 

Here is the 19th century painting by the French artist, Alexandre Bidi of Jesus with the Centurion who had a sick-to-death slave at home. It depicts St. Matthew's version. St. Luke tells it differently — that the centurion, in great humility, sent Jewish elders to speak to Jesus on his behalf. Click here to hear an audio reflection on St. Luke's telling of the story. Luke 7:1-10

Before we begin, notice off in the distance on the left there's some folks leaning over a parapet. They seem to know something is going on. And there's a couple of dogs and a horse on the left too. Even the animals are witnesses to this healing from afar. There are two shiny helmet-d soldiers accompanying the humble officer and some apostles listening in. I sure wish these painters had the insight to include some women in these all-male paintings. Women after all are Jesus' most reliable disciples.

After he had ended all his sayings in the hearing of the people he entered Capernaum. 2 Now a centurion had a slave who was dear to him, who was sick and at the point of death. 3 When he heard of Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his slave. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they besought him earnestly, saying, "He is    worthy to have you do this for him, 5 for he loves our nation, and he built us our synagogue." And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying 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 say the word, and let my servant be healed. 8 For I 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 he does it." When Jesus heard this he marveled at him, and turned and said to the multitude that followed him, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith." And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave well.

 

Christ Restoring Health to the Centurion's Servant

Luke 7: 1-10

HERE JESUS IS TEACHING IN CAPERNAUM AGAIN. A non-Jewish military leader, who is sympathetic and generous with the Jewish community, has asked for Jesus to come to cure a favorite servant, who later he will refer to as my boy. As Jesus approached the house the soldier sent word by way of friends, that Jesus should not actually come to the house because of the man's felt unworthiness, but please, to heal from a distance. Jesus complied, celebrating the soldier's faith, though he was a Gentile, and the boy was indeed cured.

We see the city and the boy in his bed. He seems to be enjoying some affluence, as the blanket or quilt is bright red and decorated. So are his pajamas. Only the wealthy had access to colors. The centurion and a another soldier are at the bedside with one of the messenger-friends. Though the gospel account doesn't tell us that Jesus ever wound up in the house, here he is shown at the foot of the servant's bed. An apostle has come along, maybe Peter, James or John, the three apostle-insiders. Though Peter is always more identifiable than any of these men. The boy's bed seems to be out in the yard, while the red curtain and the open door suggest the healing took place in the house. Again there is this trans-place going on in the icon: a wonder that goes beyond a particular geography.

When the Lord set out for the centurion's house

the soldier objected, declaring his unworthiness.

And so I stand with this soldier of humility, crying out:

Speak only the word and healing shall be mine.

Capernaum is a place of convergence,

where roads from distant places come together.

O Jesus, meet me in the place of my inner Capernaum,

where light and shadow conjoin.

This centurion had a servant who was sick and near death,

sending friends, beseeching Jesus to come and heal the boy.

O Christ, come and heal again, now, this slave

to power, possessiveness and pride.

The centurion was the leader of a hundred soldiers

with the imperial might of Caesar behind him.

In sickness he realizes his own powerless need,

as Christ sets out to heal where power fails.

It is the Word of Jesus which has real power,

healing even from a distance.

Speak your Word still, O Christ-God;

heal our world where we are far from your truth.

The Jewish elders told Jesus, This man is worthy of your attention.

But the centurion sent others to tell the Lord, I am unworthy of your visit.

In humility, let us rejoice in everything given:

unmerited gifts.

The centurion's slave was highly valued.

Quickly Jesus shares what's important to us.

Let's never trouble Jesus with trivial things,

but bring to him our secrets, born from deep within.

In Bethlehem's humility, the Lord assumed our form;

and the centurion asked for healing through the intercession of friends.

Glorify Christ whose Word demolishes pride

and raises us up, encouraged by love.

Jesus marveled when the Gentile soldier

trusted in his power to heal.

And I will share this commander's believing:

Jesus, beneath the roof of my soul.

The centurion sent a delegation, asking the Lord,

Heal my servant by your distant word.

And I will be a centurion too,

and Christ will delight in faith such as this!