The life of Jesus – 12
Authority and faith.
Luke 7:1-10 Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum. And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die. And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this: For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.
Today we continue to look at what Jesus did. In this story we see a roman centurion that had a servant that was sick. Apparently the people loved him because he builds a synagogue for them. This means that he was a person with great means to bless. He sends elders to ask Jesus to come and heal his servant. When Jesus came near he sent more people to ask Jesus not to come into his house but only speak a word. I wonder why he didn’t want Jesus in his house. For most of us it would be a privilege to host Jesus in our homes. He considered himself not worthy to receive Jesus. I am sure he could have entertained Jesus with splendor and pomp but still he feels unworthy.
The amazing thing in this story is that the centurion actually succeeds in getting acknowledged for his faith. He understood that Jesus was someone under authority. He states it in this way: “ Just say a word and it will happen because that is what I do and it works.” Jesus commends him not for understanding authority but instead for his faith.
It says that right there Jesus turned around. Jesus never actually goes to the centurion’s house. This proves that Jesus has the power and the authority to only speak a word and it can happen. What bothers me is that he never actually met Jesus. He heard about Jesus and had enough faith from just hearing. Faith comes by hearing the bible says. I love that but my question remains: “Wouldn’t it have been better if he had the chance to meet Him personally?” What happens to our faith when we have a personal encounter with Jesus? It moves from hearing only to knowing the one you believe in. We all recommend the centurion for his faith, and that is great but I would rather want a face-to-face encounter with Jesus. When you have a personal encounter faith is based on experience and not on hearsay anymore. Most people are okay with believing only. If he never stopped Jesus from coming to his house Jesus would have gone to him and met with him. Faith should lead us to a personal encounter with Jesus. Don’t settle with your miracle and stop short of meeting Him.
They returned and found the servant whole that were sick. I don’t know what the centurion told this servant. “ Hold on a little while longer for I have send someone to Jesus to see if He would come and heal you.” I wonder what the servant was thinking while he was lying there ready to die. “When He gets here it will all be okay, I heard a lot about this Nazarene. Will he be able to heal me? At least I get to meet him before I die!” Then he felt healing pulse through his body and strength returning in an instant. What was that, he must have thought? “Well I feel totally okay and healed but I would still like to meet this Jesus.” “He is not coming? What do you mean he turned around and went the other way?” Can you understand his disappointment?
When we settle to get a touch from God He will give us one but His heart is to meet us personally. Once you get your miracle don’t settle as if that is all that God can do. This servant was healed while Jesus was on His way. We will never know why the centurion didn’t let Jesus come to his house except that he felt unworthy. We all feel this way so many times but I want to encourage you today. Jesus died for us all when we were unworthy of His love and sacrifice. He makes us worthy. He declares us worthy by His sacrifice and His blood. He made it possible to come to our homes and fellowship with us. There is an old song we use to sing growing up that goes like this.
Without Him I would be nothing
Without Him I surely fail
Without Him I would be drifting
Like a ship without a sail.
Jesus, My Jesus
Do you know Him today
Please don’t turn Him away
Jesus, My Jesus
Without Him how lost I would be.
