Following on from the theme of Sunday’s bible reading we continue to think about reputations. What do we know about the reputation of Roman Centurions? From films such as ‘Gladiator’ we know that they needed to have a reputation of being tuff, because they needed those under them to respect them or fear them – so that their commands were carried out immediately, without question.
Read Luke 7: 1-10 Matthew’s gospel also tell us about this event (8: 5-13)
This Centurion was so sure of the authority he had, that he could behave in ways which would cause other Centurions to lose their authority – he became friends with the Jewish religious leaders. He shows love, compassion and care toward these Jews who he was responsible for controlling. He shows them his kindness through a very public act of building the people of Capernaum a synagogue.
This Centurion send a message to Jesus because of the love, compassion and care for has for one of his servants who has become ill. Jesus immediately responded positively but the Centurion reviews the situation and sends a message to say he is not worthy to receive Jesus into his home, and then makes a startling statement about the faith he has in Jesus (verses 7-8). If Jesus had gone into the Centurion’s home many in the crowd would have muttered against him doing this as it was seen as sinful for a Jew to enter a Gentile’s house - especially when that house was the home of a commander in the reviled Roman Army. Once more we see Jesus showing God’s love, compassion and care without any thought for his own reputation.
The Centurion through his two messages shows that he recognises that Jesus not only has the authority over aspects of life which no earthly authority can reach, but also has the authority to do this without being physically present at the situation – just as the Centurion himself had authority to alter events which he wasn’t physically present at.
Authority is not an aspect of Jesus’ nature which readily springs into our minds although it is implied each time we say ‘for yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory.’ Also, each time we refer to Jesus as our Lord we are saying that we want Jesus to have authority over any and every aspect of our lives, but often as soon we encounter Jesus speaking with authority into our lives, we respond by questioning his wisdom and querying his decisions.
While we want the Lord Jesus to make a difference to every aspect of our lives, we often at the same time struggle to accepted his authority in our lives. This is a battle which Christians have struggled with throughout the ages, but perhaps we feel it even more in our society where independence is so highly valued, and relying on the wisdom and help of others is often viewed in a negative way.
I think most Centurions would not find acceptable that amount of time it takes for us to carry out the instructions of our Commander, Jesus. Perhaps over the coming days we can consider what authority Jesus has in our lives, as we hold onto the image of Jesus being our Commander (a Centurion?) and take note of what our immediate reactions are to the instructions we read in the bible and how often we find reasons for not doing what Jesus asks us to do
Use these lyrics as a prayer:
Father, I place into Your hands the things that I can't do.
Father, I place into Your hands the times that I've been through.
Father, I place into Your hands the way that I should go,
for I know I always can trust You.
Jenny Hewer © 1975 ThankYou Music
Listen on YouTube listen to: ‘Christ Our Hope in Life and Death’
On Friday I will publish a ‘Guest Writer’ article if some sends me one before Thursday evening.
On Saturday between 10am and 12noon the hall will be open to receive gifts for City Mission’s ToyLink. When you arrive if someone is already in the hall please wait in your car until they have exited the hall. - Stephen
On Sunday I will publish a message on the website, and on the church’s facebook page at 10:30am we will have another go at live-streaming songs, prayer and a message. – Stephen