When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. 2 There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. 3 The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” 6 So Jesus went with them.
He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 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.”
9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” 10 Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well. Luke 7:1-10
This week I have been challenged more than once by a particular student who would really like to be in charge. Sometimes it pushes my buttons. I try to always respond calmly, but after the umpteenth time of listening to arguments erupt over whose turn it is to be leader, my patience wears thin. Today, I found myself saying very firmly in a raised voice, “If you don’t stop arguing about this, then no one will get to be the leader.” At that, things got quiet for a minute. Finally, I thought, they are recognizing my authority!
But then, not even 15 minutes later, when I corrected a student and prompted her to do something the correct way, she responded with, “But that’s not the way I do it!” She didn’t really care that she wasn’t doing it the way I was asking her to. She wanted to do it her own way - it was easier for her and more comfortable, and she liked it that way, even though it wasn’t correct.
This week, I studied the story of the centurion and how Jesus responded to him.
This Roman centurion was a man who understood authority. He lived it in his military position every day. He expected those under his authority to obey his commands, just as he obeyed the commands of those in authority over him.
And when he sent these Jewish leaders to Jesus to ask Jesus to heal his sick servant, he understood that Jesus was the ultimate authority. He didn’t need Jesus to physically show up at his house. The centurion knew that all Jesus had to do was give the command, and it would be done.
And did you catch how Jesus felt about that? He was amazed at this man’s faith, and the centurion’s servant was healed. I don’t think very many people did or said things that amazed Jesus, but this centurion’s statement of faith in Jesus’ authority made an impression.
It makes me stop and think about my own faith. Am I more like my students, arguing and attempting to always do things my way? Or am I submitted fully to the Lord’s ultimate authority over my life? Am I willing to let Him be in control and completely confident that my requests in His hands will be handled in the very best way, according to His will?
My students don’t always understand why I ask them to do the things I ask them to do. They don’t always see the plan I have that will ultimately help them be more successful at school. Sometimes, they trust me and do it the way I ask. Sometimes, they do it the way I ask just because I’m the teacher and they know they could get in trouble if they don’t. Sometimes, they stubbornly refuse to do what I ask.
And yes, I am relating to that struggle tonight. Sometimes I don’t want to do things the way God asks, even though I know I should. I know He is trustworthy. I know His ways are always best. I know that He knows and sees things that I can’t even begin to understand, but I still struggle to lay aside my own agenda and let Him be in charge of my life.
Lord, help me to have faith like the centurion. Help me to trust You and submit to Your authority in my life every day.
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