Friday, March 20, 2009

Captain's meditation on Luke 7:1-10, What amazes Jesus?

Check out this scripture from Luke:7:1-10 - When Jesus had finished saying all this in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. There a centurion's servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, "This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue." 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. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 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." 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." Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.

The centurion was a man of position and power (at least 100 men under his leadership), was respected by his servants and elders of the jews who pleaded on his behalf, he was caring and generous (caring for his servant and helping to build the synagogue).

What amazes Jesus? What did this Roman centurion have that "amazes" Jesus? The centurion was humble and acknowledged that he wasn't "owed" anything or even "worthy" of Jesus coming into his home. He also had faith enough to understand that at the very word of Jesus he could have his prayers answered (even without Jesus there in physical form).

Do you want to amaze Jesus today? Come before Jesus today with both humility and a bold faith that says "Lord, we know we aren't owed anything, but You can do anything, so just give Your word and we know that Your will is going to be done, and as for us, we are soldiers under your command ready to obey."

Live holy, preach Jesus!

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