Jesus is Essential
Luke 7:6–8: Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man placed under authority, having 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.”
There is a sublime side to the centurion’s spiritual posture—he saw and understood the implications of Jesus’ power—he recognized that Jesus is the Son of God. This is amazing. Jesus was a Jewish Galilean peasant, and the centurion was a Gentile, a man of wealth and some local eminence.
Yet, the Roman officer not only regarded himself as undeserving of having Jesus come under his roof, but even unworthy of meeting Jesus in the street. What humility! The centurion apparently realized that one who has power over life and death, who can heal with a word, must be divine. And if Christ was divine, then he, a Gentile sinner, was unworthy to meet him. 1
Walking with Jesus
What words did Jesus speak to you recently from His word, that healed your heart? (Read Psalm 121 if you would like encouragement.)
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:13
A person with authority is a person who knows how to live under authority.
Praying
Lord, thank You for using Your authority to love me and forgive me.
1. Hughes, R. K. (1998). Luke: that you may know the truth. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
