Worthy? Unworthy?

It’s interesting to see how people saw themselves and others in this passage, specifically concerning how “worthy” they felt they were of Jesus. 

The Jews looked at the Roman centurion and thought he was worthy of Jesus’ help because of all the good things the centurion had done. 

The centurion, however, didn’t see himself that way. He saw himself as unworthy of having Jesus enter his house. 

Contrast that with Simon at the end of the chapter who thought he was more than worthy of having Jesus as a guest. Actually, he thought Jesus should have felt honored for being allowed in Simon’s house. 

On the other hand, he looked down on the “sinful” woman and considered her unworthy of Jesus’ attention.

But the truth is, we are all “unworthy.” All of us have a debt of sin we can’t repay.

And yet, when we humble ourselves before Jesus, he looks at us as he looked at that woman, and says, “Your sins are forgiven.”

And by his grace, he receives us to himself. 

So with hearts full of thanksgiving, let us always approach his throne with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)