# Day 240

# The Faith of a Centurion

Luke 7:1–10

In Capernaum lived an officer of the Roman army. He was called a centurion because he led 100 men. As a Roman, he was a foreigner in Israel. The Jews called foreigners and non-Jews “Gentiles.” So this centurion was a Gentile. He had a favorite servant who was nearly dying. The centurion sent for Jesus: “Ask him to come and heal my slave,” he said.

“This centurion deserves your help,” they told Jesus. “He loves our people and paid for the building of our synagogue.”

Not far from the man’s house, friends of the centurion met Jesus. “The centurion sent this message,” they said. “ ‘Lord, don’t trouble yourself. I don’t deserve to have you in my house. If you simply speak the words, my servant will be healed. I’m like you, Lord; someone else tells me what to do. Then I give orders to my soldiers and servants.’ ”

Jesus was amazed that the centurion said this. He spoke to the crowd: “I haven’t found this kind of faith in all of Israel.”

When the centurion’s friends returned, the servant was healed.

Questions: The Jewish leader said the man deserved Jesus’ help. What did the centurion say? What did Jesus say about this man’s faith?