Big Idea: Who are those who belong to Christ’s kingdom? Should we be able to tell them apart from the world? What we will see over the next several weeks is that those who belong to Christ’s kingdom are the humble, the hurting, the honest, and the humiliated.
The Un-_____________________ ________________________
Luke 7:2 (ESV) — 2 Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him.
The slave is respected or highly regarded by the centurion, but it is hard to be sure of the exact force of ἔντιμος (entimos) (BAGD 269 §2; BAA 543 §2; Plummer 1896: 194; Marshall 1978: 279). If the centurion regarded the servant as an asset or possession, “valuable” is the better translation (1 Pet. 2:4, 6); but if the centurion was the moral, sensitive man that the account suggests, “dear” or “esteemed” may be [a] better [translation] (Luke 14:8; Phil. 2:29).
Matthew 8:5–6 (ESV) — 5 When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, 6 “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.”
The centurion is humble because he is helpless.
“God permits what he hates, to accomplish what he loves.” –Steve Estes
The ______________________ _____________________
Luke 7:6–7 (ESV) — 6 And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. 7 Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed.
Jesus has authority over every single realm in the created order. Jesus can heal! Jesus can save!
Colossians 1:15–17 (ESV) — 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
The centurion comes to Jesus believing that he can heal his servant but not that he will heal his servant. He is at the mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 12:7–10 (ESV) — 7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
The faith that this centurion demonstrates, and is commended by Jesus, is in both his belief in Jesus’ abilities and in his surrender to the Lord’s plan for his life.
Questions to Consider
How it the Lord humbling you? Have you asked him for help? Are you trusting in his good and gracious will for your life?
What does it look like for you to surrender to the Lord of all creation in your hardship?