Moving on now, Jesus has finished his teaching, and is heading back home to Capernaum. On the way, a delegation meets him, with an unusual request.
Their local centurion (who may not have been a member of the invading army, but an aristocrat who was given command over a certain area, and who lived a Roman sort of life) had a trusted slave. Often Romans had a well educated Greek slave who acted as manager of the household, a bit like a cross between a butler and an estate manager. This person would have complete control over the running of their master's estate, and would be trusted in financial matters, in prudent advice, and even treated as a friend.
To lose someone of this stature would be a disaster, and the centurion would have tried anything. It seems he was a good overlord, interested in the Jewish faith, supportive of their needs - he had paid for a synagogue to be built.
So the Jews are happy to carry his message to Jesus. Interestingly, the man has heard about Jesus, and doesn't just send one message, but two. Once he hears hat Jesus is willing to help, he stops him from actually entering his house (conscious, no doubt, that for a Jew to cross a Gentile threshold would defile him for 24 hours). "Just say the word where you are," he tells Jesus. I understand authority, I don't need your presence.
Jesus was amazed. Taken aback. His jaw dropped. His gob was smacked.
Why? Because he's found what he's looking for, and he found it, not in Israel, but in a Gentile soldier. Later on in the gospel, we will hear Jesus asking rhetorically, "When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith in earth?"
Faith is what Jesus prizes. Faith is the pearl of great price that he honours above all. When he sees it, he rejoices.
Oh - and the servant was healed. Of course.
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