LUKE 7:1-7 – After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. 2 Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. 3 When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, 5 for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.” 6 And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. 7 Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed.
THEME OF THE DAY. HIS WORD IS ALWAYS ENOUGH. I sometimes wonder if we might make faith in Christ something it isn’t. For instance, take time and read Luke 7:36-50 about the woman who washed Jesus’ feet with her tears. Luke does not give us her name, no recorded words came out of her mouth and yet Jesus looks at her and says, “Your sins are forgiven. Your faith has saved you; go in peace” (Luke 7:48-50). He recognized she had saving faith. Please don’t misunderstand me. We are called to profess Jesus as Lord and those people genuinely converted will do so (Romans 10:8-13). Yet, we need to be careful not to define faith by what we profess alone. There are people who will say, “Lord, Lord” and not enter the Kingdom of heaven (Matthew 7:21). Jesus recognizes faith for what it truly is; a heart attitude of submission to Him in total reliance and trust upon who He is, His ability to do what He says which means His Word is our everything. His Word is always enough. Let’s ponder three things about His Word.
First, Christ’s Word is sufficient to comfort our aching hearts when sorrow and grief come into our lives. Soon before Jesus went to the cross, He said these words to His hurting disciples, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also” (John 14:1-3). How compassionate for the Savior to speak words of comfort during a heightened time of His disciples lacking comfort. And He will do the same for us.
Next, Christ’s Word is sufficient to relieve us of the many fears seeking to paralyze our hearts. Fear is real. Fear is power. And the only hope of deliverance is the One who is perfect love who will cast out fear by His powerful word. Again we find the disciple in a tough spot. Fear was gripping them. Here is the scene . . . “When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. But he said to them, ‘It is I; do not be afraid.’ Then they were glad to take Him into the boat” (John 6:16-21). From paralyzing fear to liberating gladness all because of seven words from Jesus – “It is I; do not be afraid.”
Finally, Christ’s Word is sufficient when facing our last and greatest enemy – death. There is an obvious uncertainty about death. We have never experienced it before. Unknown things and experiences can cause deep anxiety and fear. And when death looms on the horizon either of a loved one or ourselves, hear these words of Jesus, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die” (John 11:25-26). He has conquered our last and greatest enemy!
Christians are people of THE BOOK. And it is God’s Book containing God’s Word which will always prove sufficient no matter what we encounter in this life and entering into the next.
PRAYER: “Father, help me to prove my faith in Your Word by obeying and relying on Your Word.”
QUOTE: “Our Lord equates faith in Him with total reliance and abandonment to His Word.”