A CENTURION RECOGNIZES WORTHINESS

LUKE 7

Pastor Rick Jackson

Just when I begin to think most people understand “Better than I deserve” I have had several people in the last few weeks tell me how they thought I deserved to have things go good for me. By implication of course, they too, deserve good things to happen to them. I smiled and gave them my card with the hope they would read and understand that they are really doing better than they deserve as we all are.

Here in Luke we find a centurion who seemed to have learned that truth without the benefit of one of my cards to explain it to him. Like some of us, others thought he was worthy, but he himself recognized worthiness.

I. HIS PUBLIC PERSONA [v. 1-5]

1. A Man of Compassion [v. 1-2]

2. A Man of Influence [v. 3]

3. A Man of Reputation [v. 4-5] they said, “He’s entitled to this…”

II. HIS PERSONAL THOUGHTS [v. 6-7]

At first glance it appears that the centurion himself did not come and speak to Jesus BUT a careful reading and comparison of Matthew 8 and Luke 7 reveal that he did come to Jesus after sending the Jewish leaders and his friends. Why did Matthew in his account not mention the two groups? It simply wasn’t necessary for his purpose in writing. Matthew wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to show Jesus as King of the Jews and it was sufficient for this purpose that Matthew gave us a Roman centurion recognizing the authority of the King. Luke writes to show Jesus as the perfect man and thus a more detailed comparison is in order. The accounts complement not contradict each other.

1. He was a Man of Humility [v. 6a]

Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

2. He was a Man of Contemplation [v. 6b]

3. He was a Man of Understanding [v. 7] (same basic word as v. 5)

III. HIS POWERFUL TRUTHS [v. 6-10]

If he, the centurion, was not worthy, then why is he bothering Jesus? Why is he asking Jesus anything? What right did he have to approach Jesus? The answer is simple. It deals more with the truth of Who Jesus is rather than dealing with who we are.

He saw that:

1. Jesus had the Power/Authority [v. 6] “Lord” means “Supreme in authority”

2. Jesus had the Compassion [v.7]

3. Jesus is Worthy of Recognition [v. 8-10]

Be that recognition exhibited by faith, trust, prayer, praise, petitions, worship or a combination of all those and more!