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Good morning church! What a glorious day!!!
Luke, chapter 7 starts with a powerful man who is in need of a powerful God and miracle. He is a Centurion in the Roman army, in charge of 100 soldiers, wealthy enough to have servants, and influential enough to be able to order Jewish leaders. Yet, all this wealth, power and authority can't help his servant for whom he seems to care a great deal. He is at the mercy of Jesus, the One who holds power over sickness, and even life itself. The Centurion has a need, Jesus has the solution.
This Centurion is well respected by the Jewish leaders because he built the Jews a synagogue, which make him "worthy" of such a miracle. The Jews believe this man "deserves" this miracle because of his actions (7:4 NIV). Yet, immediately after, it is recorded that the Centurion sends another group of people to Jesus to say, "I am not worthy (don't deserve) to have you come under my roof." The Centurion is a humble man (7:7). Others speak well of him, but not he of himself. Most of the story so far is about how great this man is - wealthy, good to the Jews, and humble. Yet, it is not any of these that cause Jesus to marvel in amazement (7:9). It is the man's faith! There is only one other place that causes Jesus to marvel in amazement - the lack of faith in His hometown of Nazareth (Mark 6:6)
The Centurion's faith is in the belief that Jesus just has to command a healing and it will be done. Why does the Centurion believe in such power and authority? Because he possesses power and authority also - his word causes things to happen (7:8). How much more the word of Jesus, this mighty man of God! Power to heal is in the word of Christ. Our power to heal is in the word of Christ. It is interesting to note that the "word" of Jesus to bring the healing is never recorded - the emphasis is on the centurion's faith to bring the healing.
What does faith look like? It is believing that Jesus is who He says He is, and He will do what He says He will do - that He has the authority and power to do it! When God gives us a clear word for healing, we need to believe it, till the word is accomplished. Faith releases the healing...how much do we have? Enough to walk in our authority and power over sickness? We are commanded to heal as Jesus did (Mark 16:15-20)
Meditate on Luke 7:1-10
Luke 7:1-10 The Message (MSG)
A Place of Holy Mystery
7 1-5 When he finished speaking to the people, he entered Capernaum. A Roman captain there had a servant who was on his deathbed. He prized him highly and didn’t want to lose him. When he heard Jesus was back, he sent leaders from the Jewish community asking him to come and heal his servant. They came to Jesus and urged him to do it, saying, “He deserves this. He loves our people. He even built our meeting place.”
6-8 Jesus went with them. When he was still quite far from the house, the captain sent friends to tell him, “Master, you don’t have to go to all this trouble. I’m not that good a person, you know. I’d be embarrassed for you to come to my house, even embarrassed to come to you in person. Just give the order and my servant will get well. I’m a man under orders; I also give orders. I tell one soldier, ‘Go,’ and he goes; another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
9-10 Taken aback, Jesus addressed the accompanying crowd: “I’ve yet to come across this kind of simple trust anywhere in Israel, the very people who are supposed to know about God and how he works.” When the messengers got back home, they found the servant up and well.
Matsa Moments - Pastor Mike
The Hebrew word “Matsa” means to: find, meet, discover, encounter. It is used in Deuteronomy 4:29 where the Lord says, "But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Throughout Scripture, there is an invitation from God to find Him; He actually rewards those who diligently seek Him (Heb. 11:6). To see God we must be looking for Him.
This blog is a journal of finding God - discovering who He is; learning more about His character and attributes, as I encounter Him in in His Word and world around me. These posts are theological reflections emerging out of a desire to understand how the Creator interacts with us, His creatures. Hopefully, through these you will see how the Ever-present Holy One also invites you to know Him more.
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