11/30/11 THE FAITH OF THE CENTURION
11/30/11 THE FAITH OF THE CENTURION
Luke 7:1-10 Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Key Verse: 7:7b Kevin Jesmer NIU UBF
“…But say the word, and my servant will be healed.”
Dear Lord heavenly Father, thank you for the gospel of Jesus and helping us to follow Jesus. There are so many spiritual forces keeping me from sharing the Gospel and teaching others to obey the word of God. But Lord, help me to keep my focus and keep coming to you and helping others to come to you. Lord, I pray that your help to bring clarity to all the trouble going on. May your will be done and may we all grow more mature and strong though it all. Thank you for my kids. I pray that may continue to develop their music talents and use them for the glory of Jesus. Please grant me one word of God through this passage. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen!
1. This man deserves to have you do this (1-5).
Verses 1-5 read, “When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. 2 There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. 3 The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.”
A centurion heard Jesus was in his vicinity. He had a servant who was very sick and whom he valued highly. His value was based on their relationship, not his performance. When he was dying, the centurion did his best to save him. Since he was a Gentile, out of respect for Jesus, the centurion sent Jewish elders to seek his help. He valued Jesus as well. And the elders valued the centurion who built them a synagogue. He did it not as a political move, but out of respect for the Jews and God.
This was a good man. He cared about the low man on the totem pole. They say that you can really tell a person by the way he treats his waiter. Do we think that people are dispensable? Do we care if someone is suffering in their and struggling to survive in this world? I need to care about the least around me. I must care about peoples’ lives and take care of them practically and also bring them to Jesus.
Jesus loved and cared for me when I was a dispensable person. Really, what difference would it have made if I lived or died? In fact, because of the damage that I was doing because of my sins, it probably would have been better if I was taken from this planet. But Jesus felt that I was very valuable, valuable enough to come to this earth and suffer and die on the cross. Even if I was the last person on the earth, Jesus would come down from heaven and suffer and die on the cross for my sins. That is how valuable one sinner is to Jesus. I need to hold onto this grace and also have the same value system towards my neighbor.
2. Say the word (6-10).
Verses 6-10, “So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” 10 Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.”
The centurion knew he was not worthy to have Jesus in his home. He believed Jesus only had to say the word and his servant would be healed. He understood Jesus had authority and his word would be obeyed. He believed Jesus’ authority over all creation. He believed Jesus’ authority in the spiritual realm. Jesus’ word is given and healing comes. We too can amaze Jesus with such great faith.
I need to hold onto to the power of Jesus. Lord, just say the word and I will be healed of despair and fatalism. Jesus say the word and my Bible students will reject the world and follow Jesus. Just say the word and this nation will become a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. Just say the word and all my kids will love Jesus with a burning passion. Just say the world and disciples of Jesus will be raised up among us! Just say the word and my relationship with Jesus will be new and vibrant. Just say the word and I will finish two books with reports by Monday night.
Prayer: Lord, say the word and we will be healed.
One Word: Say the word
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