centurion – Moment to Moment (Bible blog)

But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. (Matthew 8:8)

This centurion understood authority and power. He lived under it and he wielded it.

With a word from his superior, he would quickly move to obey. With a word from his own mouth, his servants would quickly see that his will would be done.

And so this centurion was saying, “Jesus, I believe you have that kind of power and authority. Just say the word and my servant will be healed.”

Contrast that with the disciples who panicked during the storm, and were totally amazed that with a word Jesus could calm the wind and the waves.

This despite the fact that they had just seen Jesus heal the servant and cast out demons with a word (13 16).

Lord, how often because of my small faith I make you small in my own eyes. But you are not small.

With a word, you heal the sick, cast out demons, and calm storms.

With a word you created all things and will bring all things to an end, creating a new heavens and a new earth. (2 Peter 3:5-13)

So Lord, help me to trust you as the centurion did, no matter the problems I face, no matter the storms.

Thank you that you are truly a great and awesome God.

How a true “5” thinks

Recently at my church, we’ve been talking about how God sees us as “5”s. (In Japan, a perfect grade in a report card is a “5,” similar to an “A” in western culture.)

In other words, God looks at your “report card”, and says, “I accept you. I love you. You are of highest value to me.”

But what makes us a “5”? And how does a “5” think?

The Jewish elders, the Pharisees, and Simon thought this way: “If a person does a lot of good things, he is worthy of God’s love and blessing in their lives.”

The Jewish elders thought this of the centurion (Luke 7:4-5).

The Pharisees and Simon thought this of themselves.” (30, 39, 44-46)

But that’s not the thinking of a true “5.”

How does a true “5” think?

They remember they are broken people. They understand that nothing they do makes them worthy of God’s love or blessing. They realize they have no special “qualifications” that make them worthy to receive anything from God.

So they come with humility before God. And at the same time, they come with confidence that God will accept them.

Not because of who they are or what they’ve done. But because of who God is. And because of the grace they have received, they are filled with gratefulness.

These are the things you see in the centurion, the people who received John’s baptism, and most clearly in the woman who anointed Jesus.

Is that how you think?

Or are you like the Simon and the other Pharisees who felt they “deserved” God’s blessing? Who took Jesus lightly because they didn’t see the depth of their sin and their need for grace?

Or are you like many Christians today who think they have to earn their “5” status with God and get discouraged because they always fall short?

Let us think like true “5”s and come before Jesus with humility. But let us also come with confidence that he will accept us and with deep gratefulness for his love, forgiveness, and grace.