First Steps – September 13, 2021

Luke 7:1-10

After Jesus had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. 2A centurion there had a slave whom he valued highly, and who was ill and close to death. 3When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave. 4When they came to Jesus, they appealed to him earnestly, saying, ‘He is worthy of having you do this for him, 5for he loves our people, and it is he who built our synagogue for us.’ 6And Jesus went with them, but when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, ‘Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; 7therefore I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed. 8For I also am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, “Go”, and he goes, and to another, “Come”, and he comes, and to my slave, “Do this”, and the slave does it.’ 9When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, he said, ‘I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.’ 10When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.

This passage has always intrigued me because Luke chose the Greek word thaumazo which is translated “marveled” or “amazed,” to describe Jesus’ response to the centurion’s faith. The only other time this word is used to describe Jesus’ response to someone else’s faith is in Mark 6 when he marvels at the lack of faith in the people of Nazareth, those who knew him best.

The fact that one would act without hesitation or justification in relation to Jesus is noteworthy. How often do we rationalize or look for ways to not act? There are so many imperatives-commands in the New Testament that we consider to be optional. Forgiveness, Love, Kindness, Patience are just a few that we are commanded to do because we are a follower of Christ. No justification, no rationalization…just obedience. We are to just do it.

What would your week be like if you woke up this morning and prayed, “Lord, I know you have commanded me to love (you could substitute to forgive, to be kind, to be patient, or any of the other imperatives in the New Testament) so I’m going to do it.” Sure, there might be the occasion where we fall short, but I would imagine that if we started where the centurion started we would be quick to seek forgiveness as soon as we were convicted.

I long to be like the centurion. How about you?

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