Thought for January 15, 2024

•  588 BC: Nebuchadnezzar lays seige to Jerusalem--lasts until 586
• 1535: Henry VIII names himself head of the Church of England
• 1759: British Museum opens
• 1844: University of Notre Dame chartered
• 1861: Otis patents first steam operated elevator
• 1870: Donkey first used as a symbol of the Democratic Party
• 1895: "Swan Lake" premiers
• 1919: Great Molasses Flood in Boston--21 drown and 150 injured
• 1927: Tennessee Supreme Court overturns the conviction of John Scopes
• 1943: Pentagon construction completed
• 1973: Four Watergate burglars plead guilty
• 1975: Space Mountain opens at Disneyland
• 1977: First appearance of the Coneheads on SNL
• 2009: Miracle on the Hudson--Sully Sullenberger
• Born: Joan of Arc, Pierre Dupont, Aristotle Onassis, Edward Teller [hydrogen bomb], Jean Bugatti [automobile], Lloyd Bridges, Martin Luther King, Jr., Drew Brees, Floydene Bright
• Died: Matthew Brady [photographer], Fanny Farmer, Harry Ironside [commentaries], Hap Arnold [Army Air Force, WWII], Ray Bolger, Dan Haggerty, Edwin Hawkins ["O Happy Day"], Carol Channing

Thought:

Continuing this week to meditate on the miracles of Jesus. Today I am reading Luke 7:1-10, the healing of the centurion's slave. You recall the story. In Luke's account this story follows the Beatitudes. A couple of the statements in the Beatitudes seem to be a preface to the centurion's story. Luke 6:36 tells us to be merciful just as the Father is merciful. In chapter 7, Jesus extends mercy, first to the centurion and then to the widow at Nain [tomorrow's thought], Then in 6:47-48, Jesus says that if we hear His words and act upon them we are like the man who built upon the rock and survived the storm. Jesus explains how we should live---we hear His word and then we act on His word in obedience. Now let's look at the centurion.

A centurion was a Roman soldier who exercised command over troops [usually 100]. He lived in Capernaum, Peter's home town, and had built the synagogue there [it was almost next door to Peter's house]. A slave was critically ill, near death. The centurion sends Jewish leaders to ask for healing. Jesus begins walking to the centurion's house. Maybe someone told the centurion Jesus was coming or perhaps he heard people yelling "here comes Jesus." For Jesus was not alone, He had a multitude who had heard the Sermon on the Mount with Him. In any event the centurion sends a servant to Jesus with a message:

• I am not worthy. I was not worthy to come to you directly, so I sent the Jewish leaders. I am certainly not worthy for you to come to my house. 
• You don't need to come, you only need to speak. The centurion knew from experience that he could give an order and those under his authority would obey. 

Now notice how Jesus responds. This centurion has great faith. But Luke does not record Jesus saying anything, but the slave was healed. In Matthew's account [8:5-13], Jesus says, "let it be done as you have believed." 

What can I learn from this event? 

• My race, my nationality, my church, my family's beliefs do not get me the response of the Lord. Jesus responds to faith. 
• Faith is understanding who Jesus is and what He has done and betting your life and eternity on His truth. Faith is believing His promises when all the circumstances say they cannot be true. 
• Approaching Jesus requires humility--I am unworthy, but He has invited whosoever will to come. 
• The centurion understood that the voice that called all creation into existence--Jesus said let there be light, and there was light--had authority to do the impossible. 
• The centurion took a risk--what would Herod Antipas think if he heard the centurion was associating with the one who was hailed as King of the Jews. 

So in 2024, I come to Jesus humbly. I come to Jesus believing who He is and what He can do. I come to Jesus with the things I cannot handle. And I recall what Jesus said--let it be done as you believe. This is not name it and claim it.--this is believing that there is aa God and that He is the rewarder of those that seek Him. Now His answer may not be what I ask, but will always be for His ultimate glory and my ultimate good. 

Blessings

Larry