| This is such an important issue. Many people allow | | | | mend his ways and sort out this and that." And |
| their problems to reek havoc in their lives. If we | | | | Jesus never suggested that he should leave the |
| faced up to our problems and dealt with those | | | | army. |
| difficulties which face and confront us, sometimes | | | | The Roman Centurion had shown a love for |
| on a daily basis, life could be so much less | | | | Israel. He had built a synagogue, thereby showing |
| cumbersome and we could get on with what | | | | his love in a tangible way. He had been generous. |
| really matters. Of course, that will involve further | | | | God always sees generosity and rewards it in |
| problems. | | | | some way. He has a degree of faith in Jesus, and |
| Turn with me to Luke Chapter 7, in the New | | | | he does something about it. His position in life did |
| Testament section of the Bible. It is as if one | | | | not prevent him from seeking Jesus publicly and |
| stage of ministry is over and another begins. | | | | openly. |
| Jesus had been saying things to the crowds and | | | | Jesus agrees to go. When Jesus is nearing his |
| to His disciples - teaching - and He had said | | | | house, he sends friends to say to Jesus, "Don't |
| everything He wanted to say on that occasion. | | | | trouble yourself - don't waste your time coming |
| Teaching is so important and teaching from the | | | | the whole way - you are a busy man and I don't |
| Word of God. It would be difficult to over | | | | deserve you to come under my roof. I am not |
| emphasise this essential dimension. | | | | worthy. Just say a word and my servant will be |
| Jesus now enters Capernaum. Much of the | | | | healed." Some people do feel unworthy, but what |
| ministry of Jesus has been spontaneous. Those in | | | | is really being shown here is this man's humility. |
| need met Him, or came to Him, or He would be | | | | He was a man of authority and under authority. |
| walking along the road. Jesus was not limited, nor | | | | When I give an order it is to be obeyed |
| restricted, to certain times and places and | | | | immediately. He knew what it was to take |
| settings. He was prepared to minister all the time, | | | | commands as well as give commands, and he |
| no matter the circumstances. | | | | recognises Jesus Christ is man under authority |
| In Capernaum a Roman Centurion's servant is | | | | and with authority. |
| lying sick, and this servant is highly thought of by | | | | Authority comes from participating in authority |
| his master. It was most unusual to care for, or | | | | and submitting to authority. He could see that |
| be concerned about, a servant or slave who was | | | | Jesus was in perfect submission to God the |
| far below you. The Roman Army Officer would | | | | Father, and so had perfect authority. He could also |
| be quite powerful, with position and influence and | | | | see that Jesus could say to this disease, "Quick |
| authority. He would be a man of strong character | | | | March" and it would have to go - leave - move |
| - a Regimental Sergeant Major of a man - with | | | | out - disappear. He so believed in the power of |
| leadership qualities - and we know that as part of | | | | the Word of God. |
| the occupying force, he would be reasonably | | | | The miracle begins when he places himself under |
| wealthy, and able to afford as many slaves and | | | | the authority of Jesus Christ - who had perfect |
| servants as he needed. There was a crisis in his | | | | love - perfect submission - perfect power - |
| home. | | | | perfect authority. |
| This personal servant is about to die. He asks | | | | Many today have very little sense of authority, |
| some elders of the Jews to go and find Jesus. He | | | | and find it hard to recognise it - and to submit to |
| wants Jesus to come and heal his servant. | | | | authority can be even harder. |
| Consider what he is doing - a military man - with | | | | Jesus marvelled. He was surprised, and Jesus |
| a sick servant - asking Jewish elders to go and | | | | admired such faith. |
| get Jesus Christ. | | | | You can imagine what was going through the |
| When a crisis arises it is good to turn to Jesus. | | | | Roman Centurion's mind. "This man called Jesus |
| They found Jesus and pleaded with him to go to | | | | has a potential which I cannot explain - but I |
| the house of a Gentile - the home of an officer | | | | recognise it. He is different from every other man |
| of the occupying army in their land. This could be | | | | I have ever met." The servant is healed. The |
| regarded as a quite controversial request. Jesus | | | | word 'well' means WHOLE. |
| did not refuse to hear them, nor argue with them | | | | What you do with your problem is far more |
| or reason with them - nor say "This man better | | | | important than what your problem does to you. |