February 23
When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.” Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?” The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just 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.” – Matthew 8:5-9, NIV
It took humility for the centurion in our text to go to Jesus. Humility is recognizing that you don’t have what it takes. You must confess, “I can’t,” before you can agree, “God can!” If you rush past “I can’t,” you will never fully embrace that your only rescue comes from God. Humility is recognizing that apart from God, you can’t do anything. It is recognizing that God is your source, your help, your hope, and your all. It’s recognizing that you are dependent on God for every single solitary thing – your job, your family, your ministry, your finances – and your breath! Humility is realizing that if something’s going to get done, Jesus is going to have to do it! Humility is not thinking less of yourself as much as it is thinking of yourself less. Remember who was lying sick. It was not the centurion’s wife, son, brother grandfather, best friend, golfing buddy, or fellow church member. It was his servant. The centurion’s connection with his servant was not based on blood or friendship – it was based solely on compassion. They were not equals in any sense of the word – not in age, not in rank, not in station in life, not financially – in absolutely nothing. And still the centurion went out of his way to find the only help that this servant could use. It cost the centurion time, pride, and likely money, to help his servant. Humility is being willing to be inconvenienced to serve, bless, and heal anyone who needs it. Don’t miss this…the dire circumstances of the beloved servant are not what made the centurion humble; they are what revealed his humility! Circumstances are not molds; they are mirrors. They do not make us into something; they reveal what we are really like.
Relating to God, 2010
February 24
When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.” Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?” The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just 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.” – Matthew 8:5-9, NIV
The centurion was not being prideful when he spoke about his authority. He was just recounting to Jesus that he understood His authority. The centurion was under authority, and yet he had authority over others. You see, all authority in the army was ultimately in the hands of the emperor. So when the centurion spoke, he spoke with the authority of the emperor. Just as he spoke with the emperor’s authority, the centurion recognized that Jesus spoke with the ultimate authority. Jesus speaks with God’s authority because He is God! When the centurion spoke, he had the expectation that his orders would be carried out. Whatever Jesus speaks gets done. His orders are carried out to the “T” because everything is under His authority: death, demons, disease, distance, nature. Our two dogs are half-breed bassets. They are great dogs, but not so smart. One is fairly obedient, but the other is not. I think I know why: Buster understands my authority on some level. My voice or a newspaper helps him understand, but he does understand. Bogey, on the other hand, only understands his stomach. My authority means little to him, but his dog food means everything. Here’s something interesting…Buster likes for me to pet him and talk to him and play with him. Bogey…not so much – he only likes to eat and sleep and pays no attention to me or anything else when he is hungry. Think about that…when it comes to God’s authority in our lives, do we respond by hearing and obeying over our own selfish desires? Do you think there is a parallel between loving the one in authority and recognizing His authority? Do you think there is a parallel in loving self and not recognizing His authority?
Relating to God, 2010
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