LUKE 7:1-10-After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.” 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. Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. For I too 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 servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well.”
Today’s scripture is a riveting account filled with emotion, desperation, hope, respect, faith, and marvel. The marvel is seen in the heart of the Roman centurion. We don’t even know his name, but he stands tall as a model of respect for Jesus and faith in the power of His Word. It is these two qualities demanding both our consideration and application.
Let’s be a by-stander entering into the scene. This prominent Roman soldier, a centurion commanded 100 soldiers, had a reputation of being a caring leader. He valued his servant who was very sick, even to the point of death. Desperate but trusting, the centurion heard of Jesus, the healer, and sent a delegation to Him with the request the Great Physician would come and heal his beloved servant. As is always the case with the Lord Jesus, He displays compassion and begins the journey to answer the centurion’s earnest request for his servant. But the Lord never gets there. On the journey, the centurion sends word to Jesus; words that serve us well as the highest expression of respect and faith.
God declares He exalts two things-I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word (Psalm 138:2). And what He exalts, we are to do as well. Like the centurion. Notice his declarations of respect and faith. First, he acknowledges the authority of the Person of the Lord Jesus–For I too am a man set under authority. The highest respect for Jesus is recognizing Him as God and the subsequent authority as God. This is where true faith begins. Jesus is Lord is not a profession of mere words, but if real, a profession of His absolute authority over all things including our lives. The centurion respects Jesus’ Person while simultaneously demonstrating incredible and true faith by trusting His Word-Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed.
The highest expressions of respect and faith we render to the Lord is acknowledging His authoritative Person and relying unwaveringly in the truth of His Word. And is that not the very essence of saving faith in Christ? May the Lord help us live a “Centurion-like” life as followers of the Lord Jesus.
PRAYER: “Father, may I so honor You by glad submission and unwavering trust in Your Word.”
QUOTE: “God declares He has exalted above all things His Name and Word. We are to do likewise.”
Because of Him,
Pastor Jim