Stroll through Scripture for February 9, 2025

Based on Luke 7:1–17

The comedy troupe Monty Python had a famous skit in which some English townspeople were gathered, and one says “I didn’t expect a kind of Spanish Inquisition in response to a woman’s non-stop questioning. Suddenly, a group of men dressed in Spanish Catholic robes would storm into the house and proclaim, “Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!”

Our Gospel reading is kind of like this week. There’s a Roman Centurion who has a beloved slave is “close to death” we are told. There is plenty of debate about the nature of their relationship. Regardless, this person, although a slave, was close to the Centurion and the Centurion was concerned for his health. We are told the Centurion cared about the people he over saw. Take that in for a moment. This is no usual Centurion. The Jewish elders, when they find Jesus, tell him that the Centurion is worthy of a miracle, that he loves the people he oversees and that he built the synagogue in town. That’s amazing. No one expects that kind of relationship between someone who represents an empire who occupies land and a people. No one expects this unusual love of the person who symbolizes oppression with the people who are oppressed. No one expects the oppressed to speak highly of this person. No one expected the Centurion to have such faith in Jesus — apparently including Jesus. In verse 9 we are told that Jesus was “amazed at him.” The result: the slave is healed in well.