| Seperate Event or Same Event?
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Added:
March-16-04 |
Can
you tell me if I have the correct understanding of Jesus healing of the
Centurions servant in Matthew 8 and Luke 7? Did Jesus talk directly to
the Centurion or only through the elders and friends? I believe Luke
records this event in more detail than Matthew does, do you think I'm
right or is this a separate experience as some believe? Answer:
You are on the right path brother! The two instances, I believe, refer
to the same situation and are not separate experiences. Why the
discrepancies? Really they're aren't any discrepancies. As we compare
Luke 7:1-10, we see that the Centurion had contacted the elders of the
Jews wanting Jesus to come (Luke 7:3) and heal his servant.
Evidently, the Centurion wanted to see Jesus. Note that the Centurion
cared for his servant, was considerate of the Jews, and sought out
Jesus, who was also a Jew. Due to this man's character --even though he
was a Roman soldier- Jesus recognized his love for Israel, not only in
word, but in deed, for he had built a synagogue. Therefore the sincere
beckoning of the Centurion was worthy of Jesus' attention. So Jesus set
out for the Centurion's house with the Jewish elders (Luke 7:6).
Nearing the home of the Centurion, the Centurion sent out friends to
speak on his behalf. Note that a caring individual will always have
friends. These friends spoke as if the Centurion himself were speaking.
Additionally, in a dictatorial society, whatever a leader commands
others to do is counted as his own doing. Even friends will desire to
carry out his wishes. However, it appears that after Jesus' arrival and
having spoken with his friends, the Centurion personally came out to
meet Jesus. This is where Matthew's account begins. Therefore, Matthew,
in his account, gets to the meat of the story (Matthew 8), whereas Luke
gives more detail of the account (Luke 7). The order of events appear
as follows: a. the Centurion first contacted the Jewish elders b. he sent his friends out to meet Jesus c. he himself confronts Jesus.
Matthew's
account records that the Centurion came to Jesus. This he did, but only
after other methods of contact were made. The Centurion's faith was
great because he believed that Jesus' words could heal. This was also a
type or forerunner of the Gentile Church which would eventually accept
and follow Jesus as the true Messiah. His fleshly presence is not with
us today and we completely rely on His Word.