Narrative Lectionary Program Year – Healing a Centurion’s Slave and Raising Widow’s Son at Nain
Luke 7:1-17
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Furthering the Power of God’s Story – Narrative Lectionary Commentary
by Rev. Dr. Clint Schnekloth
So much of life depends upon that elusive quality—leadership. When leadership functions creatively, non-anxiously, boldly, transparently, organizations, whether they are cities, countries, companies, or churches, are more likely to thrive.
Toxic leadership on the other hand, even at the head of well-positioned organizations, can wreck everything.
In this pericope we have a centurion, a mid-level soldier responsible for leading a “century” of Roman soldiers (approximately 80). The centurion illustrates some of the qualities of good leadership. He cares for and seeks to take care of his sick servant. He uses his connections in the Jewish community to access someone with the power to heal. He trusts the healer to do his job himself. He’s non-anxious.
He recognizes the limits of his own authority (I myself am a man under authority). He also recognizes the power of authority. Say the word and it will be done.
Preachers can first of all apply this pericope to themselves and use it as a measure against their own function as a leader. How does your pastoral leadership currently compare to the leadership of this centurion? Do you trust the healer? Do you recognize your proper authority? Are you non-anxious? Do you use your connections well? Do you care for those under your command/care?
Then it is wise to lean into this model for a sermon. Help the congregation identify with the centurion. Since Jesus lifts him up as a model of faith, he is such a model. Use him as such.
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Other Resources
Exegetical Links
A Failure of Nerve: Leadership in the Age of the Quick Fix, Edwin Friedman
Faith in New Places, Dirk Lange
Magic, Miracles, and the Gospel, Michael White
Great Quotes
“Leadership can be thought of as a capacity to define oneself to others in a way that clarifies and expands a vision of the future”
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Free Dramatic Reading For This Text (NRSV)
Readers: Narrator, Elders, Friends, Jesus
Narrator: 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,
Elders: 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.
Narrator: And Jesus went with them, but when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him,
Friends: 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.
Narrator: When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, he said,
Jesus: I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.
Narrator: When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health. Soon afterwards he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow; and with her was a large crowd from the town. When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her,
Jesus: Do not weep.
Narrator: Then he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said,
Jesus: Young man, I say to you, rise!
Narrator: The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized all of them; and they glorified God, saying,
Friends: A great prophet has risen among us!
Narrator: …and…
Friends: God has looked favorably on his people!
Narrator: This word about him spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding country.