Worthy of You ~ Luke 7:1-10 ~ Second Sunday after Pentecost

It’s fourth grade gym class.  Today is dodge-ball day…

The class is lined up before two “captains” the teacher has selected—and one-by-one, the captains begin selecting their teammates.  Surprise, surprise, the most popular—and athletic—students are picked first.

But still, you’re standing in the first line, waiting to be selected—all the while, the first picks begin eyeing you up as the first target for their volleys.  You realize that whatever team you end up on, you won’t be there for long.  You’ll be back on the sidelines until game-over…

One of the most unfortunate facts of life is that we will all find ourselves “on the outs,” even if we were a first-pick in fourth grade gym class.  As we go through life, we’ll be presented with so many desirable opportunities: for a spouse or a friendship, for a dream job, for a membership in an exclusive club.  But these opportunities won’t be open to just anyone.  You must be deemed worthy by those on the inside.

And there’s nothing that hurts quite like rejection—to be judged unworthy…

Today in our Gospel, we hear the story about a man who was probably un-familiar that feeling—a Roman centurion who commanded 100 soldiers.  To hold such a position was to be among the elite of the Roman world.  Yet in Jesus’ world, centurions and their Roman counterparts were typically despised, because they represented the evil empire that had invaded their God-given land.  But this centurion was different: he was a devout follower of Judaism—and he even provided substantial financial support for the synagogue.

But still, he’s a man who’s used to getting his way…  So when his slave falls ill—and he learns that Jesus of Nazareth is in town, he immediately summons some of the elders to go and fetch Jesus for him.  To the elders, there couldn’t be a man more worthy of Jesus’ attention than the centurion.  They make this fact crystal clear to Jesus when they get to him. 

But it is at this point that something happens; perhaps a change of heart—we really don’t know.  But the centurion sends some friends to Jesus, with these words:

“Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; therefore I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed. 

All of the sudden, this man who was “worthy” of status, obedience, and respect, comes to realize that his supposed “worthiness” doesn’t really mean anything to Jesus.  And he’s not beating himself up; he’s just realizing the truth: Jesus is a man under authority—just like the centurion.  Jesus wasn’t put on earth to do the centurion’s bidding, no matter how worthy he might’ve been. 

There was only one thing left to do—to bring word of his need before Jesus, and then trust Jesus to meet the need, in whatever way Jesus would do.

Think about it—Jesus and the centurion never meet—but Jesus commends his faith above all in Israel—and why?  What can we learn from this story?

1.       When it comes to Jesus, we must throw all notions of our worthiness or unworthiness out the window.  They mean nothing to Jesus.  Jesus doesn’t relate to people according to how worthy or how deserving they are.  Jesus relates to us according to our need.  This means that we have only to present our need to Jesus.  Yet it takes tremendous faith do this…

2.       When it comes to our needs, we usually have in mind the way in which we would prefer Jesus to meet them.  Our way, right away…  But we have to trust Jesus, like the centurion, to do what he will—and believe that he will respond.  Jesus may not always give us what we want (or when we want it), but he will always take care of us.  No question.

3.       Finally, our relationship to Jesus must be one of total submission.  Just because we believe in Jesus does make him bound to our will.  Living as a child of God means that we are bound to Jesus’ will.  We’ve thrown out the question of whether or not we’re worthy of Jesus.  The question now is: is Jesus worthy of our complete and total submission?   His body and blood he gives for you.  Is he worthy of you, that you would obey him?  Is he worthy of you, that you would count him your life’s greatest treasure?  Is he worthy of you, that you would trust him to do what is best for you, in his own time?  Is he worthy of you, that you would share his love with family, friends, strangers, and even people you don’t like?

Did you notice how this Gospel ends?  Not only does Jesus never meet the centurion, Jesus never even speaks any word to bring about the slave’s healing.  But still, the slave is healed that very day. 

Therein lies the challenge: to believe that Jesus is gracious and merciful; more powerful than our greatest needs and deepest hurts; more faithful to us than we can ever be to him.  To believe that Jesus is personally with us and will take care of us…  We do not presume to dictate to Jesus what he will do or how he’ll do it; we just wait in faith and hope.  That is what you are invited to do today: bring whatever needs or hurts you have, leave them up here at the cross, then live your life in trust and obedience

Do this, and you’ll see: Jesus is faithful.  Your needs he will provide.  You will taste and see the goodness of God.  Believe, trust, obey, and wait…  for you will not be forgotten.