Christ-Light Connections: Jesus and the Centurion & Jesus and the Canaanite Woman

As you prepare your children for the messages of these two stories, it will be important to emphasize the “object of faith.”

Imagine that your big brother built a zipline. He tells you that if you use his zipline, you will safely make it across the yard. You trust the zipline and jump. But, unfortunately, even thought you trusted the zipline completely, you fell. The zipline was made out of dental floss.

Next time, your big brother made a different zipline. This time he used a steel cable and told you to try again. However, you are extremely doubtful. You do not have much faith in this zipline. But, when you jump, the zipline holds, and you make it across safely!

What mattered was not how strongly you believed in either zipline. What mattered more was what you believed or put your trust in – the object of your faith.

The Christ-Light theme this week is through the gift of faith, believers trust Jesus.

NT2 1A

Jesus and the Centurion — Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10

Context

During this time in Jewish history, Israel was occupied by Rome. Romans were the enemy. The centurion of our story was a commander of 100 soldiers. It is likely that he ruled Capernaum. He would have had the power to order Jesus of Nazareth to help him.

Big Ideas

The Jews’ Point of View (Luke 7:1-5)

Notice how the Jews tried try to convince Jesus to help the centurion. “This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” (Luke 7:4-5) The Greek word they used for “built” emphasized the fact that the centurion used his own financial means. It was as if the Jewish elders were saying, “He is not like the other Romans, who definitely do not deserve you. He is worthy because of the good things he has done.”

Their line of reasoning is relatable. All of us are prone to help kind and good people before we would consider helping an enemy. But, knowing God’s standards of worthiness, the request was laughable.

Conversation Starters:

• In what did these Jewish elders assume they should place their faith?
• What are God’s standards for worthiness?
• Most false religions strive to become worthy before their god. List the ways in which worthiness is obtained in other religions.
• Self-worth is a strange American idol. What kinds of people do American’s value the most?

The Centurion’s Point of View (Matthew 8:8-9, Luke 7:5-8)

It seems that this Roman citizen was not only a convert to Judaism, but he also understood who Jesus was. As the commander of the region, he could have used his power to coerce Jesus into helping him. But, he humbly understood that he was making his request of the Lord, the ruler over everyone! He was even shocked that Jesus, a Jew, would be willing to enter into his Gentile house. He emphasized that he was unworthy and asked only for a crumb of Jesus’ grace.

Conversation Starter:

• In what does the centurion place his faith?

God’s Point of View (Matthew 8:10-13, Luke 7:9-10)

Jesus actually marveled at the faith of the centurion! Many of the Jews believed that they would be saved because they followed the law or because they were the natural descendants of Abraham. They had dental floss faith.

But this Gentile did not look to his own righteousness. He understood that Jesus would help him not because of how good of a person he was. Rather, Jesus would help him because he trusted in Jesus’ power and authority. The true descendants of Abraham were those who trusted in the promise.

From God’s perspective, the centurion was worthy because he had faith and trust in the righteousness of Jesus.

Conversation Starters:

• Are you worthy to approach the Lord? How did you become worthy?
• How does a person who knows they have been made worthy feel or act?

Digging Deeper

Seeds of Faith provides context as well as Law and Gospel points.

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NT2 1B

Jesus and the Canaanite Woman — Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30

Context

Just before this, Jesus taught about what it truly meant to be clean and unclean. The Pharisees thought that if they did a good job of following their modified versions of God’s Law, they would fit into the category of clean. Those who could not, should not receive any special favor from God and would remain unclean and unworthy. Jesus tore their self-righteous theology apart, showing them how they actually stacked up against God’s Law.

This story takes place in Gentile lands. Canaanites were not on the worthy list. In fact, God had commanded that the Israelites destroy these idol worshipers back when they were first entering the promised land.

Big Ideas

Jesus’ Unexpected Response (Matthew 15:21-26, Mark 7:24-27)

It is hard to read this lesson without cringing just a bit. Usually, Jesus is quick to respond to anyone who asks for his help. However, anytime he delays, there is an accompanying teachable moment for his people. The disciples, who had just witnessed Jesus’ disapproval of the Pharisees, stood by to learn more. If Jesus did not approve of the “best” of society, what would he think of this Canaanite?

In this interaction with the woman, Jesus calls her a dog. The Greek word refers to a dearly loved pet, not a wild untamed animal. The teacher is pointing out that she is a Gentile and he is there first for the Jews. This conversation forces her confession of faith.

Conversation Starters:

• How did God use time to teach Abraham?
• Why did Jesus delay when Lazarus was sick?
• Can you think of other Biblical stories where God delays in order to teach a lesson?

The Persistent Faith (Matthew 15:27-28, Mark 7:28-30)

The Canaanite women came to Jesus because she knew who he was. She said nothing about her worthiness in her pleas for help. After all, what could a woman from an idolatrous people offer? Her prayer is based solely on Jesus’ mercy and power.

When she says, “Even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs” (Luke 7:28), she first confesses her unworthiness. “Yes, I am only a dog who does not deserve the honor of eating at the table.” Next, she confesses what she believes about Jesus. She knows he is gracious and willing to give. Just a crumb of his grace had all the power she needed.

Jesus commends her faith and heals her daughter. The disciples witnessed this woman receiving God’s approval because of faith in the goodness and mercy of the Savior.

Conversation Starters:

• How was this woman’s faith different than the Pharisees’?
• Does Jesus respond to prayers from weak faith?