On the 10th of March in 2003 the then Australian Prime minister, John Howard, was visiting the New Zealand parliament in Auckland. The issue being discussed was the region’s response to the actions of Saddam Hussein.
Outside parliament around 600 anti-war protesters whistled, thumped drums and set fire to flags. They also hurled tomatoes onto the steps of the parliament building in a show of anger over John Howard’s support for US-led military action against Iraq.
Kim Beasley was the Australian opposition leader at the time. Despite being a fierce opponent of John Howard, Kim Beasley said, “No Prime Minister deserves to be treated in this way; he must always be accorded the greatest respect”.
We often think like that, don’t we? Certain people deserve to be treated in a certain way because of who they are, or what they have done. This is not just a modern day thought process. It is also a reality that existed in the days of Jesus. Let’s turn in our Bibles to our text for today.
Reading
Luke 7:1-10
Can you see how it works? In the mind of the Jewish elders here is someone who deserves to have special attention. Listen to the way the elders talk about the Centurion.
We have a wonderful citizen in our community. He’s a Centurion in the Roman Army and he has a servant whom he loves dearly – this servant is on his death bed. This Centurion is not a Jew. Yet he – out of his personal finances – has built a synagogue in our town. He didn’t do it for political reasons … he is a man who loves our nation. Jesus, look at all that he has done, this Centurion deserves to have some attention.
That’s their line of argument isn’t it? The Centurion has lived a certain life and acted a certain way, now he has earned the right to be given certain privileged treatment. That is the thinking which is going on in this passage. And it is a thinking that is still widely held today.
If you do good to others, good should come back to you.
Blessings should come to those who deserve it.
Privileges should be earned.
That is how many people think. But let’s stop and think what would happen if we applied that sort of thinking to our relationship with Jesus.
If we were to apply to be a part of God’s family on the basis of what we have done, would our works be sufficient? And since the Jews seem pretty impressed with the standard of the Centurion let’s use his actions as a benchmark.
How many of us have used our finances to build a synagogue lately? OK. Let’s lower the benchmark. How many of us are setting aside 10% of our income for kingdom work? Are we giving enough away? Are we still quite materialistic?
What about other areas? The Centurion in our passage had the full respect of the elders and they were begging for a favour. How many of us have had elders of a church begging that Jesus would do a massive favour for you? Any takers?
And this Centurion fellow – he was the sort of person who was dignified, and full of integrity. He had 100 men in his unit who did everything he said because they respected him. How many here today can claim to have that sort of respect and integrity?
Think about all that you do … and don’t do … for God and His kingdom.
When we compare ourselves to the Centurion do we stack-up?
When we compare ourselves to others do we stack up?
When we say that we are part of God’s family do we deserve it?
Do you deserve it? Do any of us deserve it?
When it comes to being a part of God’s family this is the way people think it works.
They think that it has to be earned.
That you need to be a certain person.
That you need to have certain criteria.
And it is amazing how good people think they are. In a recent survey 5000 Australians were asked if they believed they were good enough to get into heaven … 90% of them said yes they were. But what standard are they using?
Perhaps you have seen the movie “Ghost”. Admittedly it came out in 1990 so maybe it is a bit old for some of you. It stars Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore. Early in the movie Patrick dies and becomes a “ghost”. Near the end of the movie Demi has to let him go as he walks to a group of people standing in a bright light. Obviously Patrick deserved to go to heaven. This was despite the fact that no mention was ever made of religion, of Christ, or church going. The only qualification Patrick had was that he was a pretty nice guy who treated Demi well and didn’t kill someone.
That is how many people want God to work. That we get to heaven because we are pretty decent people – but is that the best way? My friends, as soon as we start saying things like:
“I deserve to be treated well by God”,
or, “Those people are good and they deserve to be accepted”,
or, “they have given a lot to charity and help in so many ways, they deserve good treatment by God”.
As soon as we start saying things like this aren’t we turning Christianity into a competition. And in any competition there is always going to be those who are better than you.
For example what if we came to Jesus and said, “Look how much I have sacrificed”. Jesus could easily say, “Well I know many more people who have sacrificed much more – you’re not even close to giving you life for Me. What makes you think your sacrifice is sufficient?
Or we might come to Jesus and say, “Look at the burdens I have carried”. To which Jesus can reply – “You call that a burden? The Christians who live in China; they know what a burden is. Those who suffer in Muslim countries; they know what a burden is. What makes you think that your burdens are so bad?
We might even come to Jesus and say, “Look how much I had to give up for Your sake”. And Jesus could say, “You live in your 3 bedroom, two bathroom home and you dare say you have given up for Me? I know people who live in houses the size of your garden shed – and they do that because of My Name. What makes you think that you are poor compared to the poverty of so many others?
It all sounds very nice … having God treat us on the basis of what we deserve … or more correctly … on the basis of what we think we deserve. But when we start thinking like this we have missed the real issue because we are focussing on the wrong issue. You see Jesus is not concerned about things like performance, and position, and personal achievements. True religion is not about sacrifice, or burden-carrying, or performance, or “who deserve what”.
Being privileged members of God’s kingdom is never on the basis of performance. The reason this is the case is that all people fall short in some way. Take the Centurion in our passage as an example.
While the elders are praising the excellencies of this man they seem to have forgotten one point – this man is a Roman. A high ranking Roman army officer at that. He is part of the system that is oppressing the Jews. Technically the Centurion is one of the archenemies of God’s people. Why should Jesus help him?
Not only that, it seems that the elders have been mesmerised by this man because he built a synagogue. Money has brought influence. It could be said that this man has put the community in a position where they feel they owe him support. Elsewhere in Scripture Jesus makes it clear that He is not impressed by people who use their power in this way.
There was no reason why Jesus should feel compelled to help this man. Yet, despite all this, verse 6 says, Jesus went with them. As Jesus does so we are introduced to a great irony in this passage. The Jews want Jesus to help the Centurion because “He deserves a favour from God”. But the Centurion doesn’t try the same line on Jesus. In fact, of all the people in this passage, only the Centurion has understood what the agenda of Jesus is all about.
The elders focus on “works” and “deserving”.
The Centurion focuses on “grace” and “undeserving”.
And that is why the actions of the Centurion are so wonderful – his actions show us what it takes to be a member of God’s family.
As you read through this passage you see that the Centurion acts with the greatest humility. He doesn’t dare speak to Jesus directly. He doesn’t think his home is worth entering. He never once asserts his authority as an army officer. The Centurion knows there is nothing within himself that he can use to persuade Jesus to help.
The Centurion also understands the authority of Jesus. He knows that Jesus is in complete control of all things – including sickness. If Jesus makes the command it will happen. If Jesus decides not to make the command, then who are we to argue? Jesus has the authority. In a very simple way the Centurion is making it clear that he understands his place before Jesus. “I know you can do this; not because of my contribution but because of the type of person You are – a person of authority”.
That is the response of the Centurion and that is the response we need to have:-
In humility we come before Jesus knowing we don’t deserve it.
In humility we accept the authority of Christ.
In humility we can hold onto, and profess to be, the recipients of the greatest privilege ever.
In humility we claim the promises of Jesus not because of who we are, but because of who we believe.
If that is what can happen as we consider being a part of God’s family then each one of us is faced with two very significant questions.
The first significant question is this: Who are you?
It’s a question we ask of ourselves.
It’s a question we ask of those seeking hope in our community.
Who are you? Are you carrying shame for a sin you committed many years ago? Are you a going from day to day with a huge burden of guilt?
Maybe you were a reckless driver and fatally injured someone.
Maybe you have had multiple unhealthy sexual experiences.
Maybe you experimented with drugs.
Maybe you have been abusive.
Maybe you tried to take your own life.
Maybe you had an abortion.
Maybe you destroyed someone career.
Maybe it was something else.
In sure circumstances it is tempting to say, “I don’t deserve any favours from God”. And you are absolutely right! But Jesus wants to help you anyway.
It’s not the performance … or lack of performance … but the attitude. Humility before Jesus. Acceptance of His authority. That is all you need. And that is all that counts.
Even if you have been a member of the church all your life.
Even if you know the Scriptures well.
Even if you’re one of those perpetual leaders – serving again and again because the congregation has faith in you.
Even if you can look at your life and honestly say it has been reasonably pure.
Even then your attitude needs to be right. You too must be a person who says, “I don’t deserve any favours from God”. Humility before Jesus. Acceptance of His authority. That is what you need.
Who are you? That is the first question. The second significant question is this … Do you believe the authority of Christ?
It’s an authority which Jesus has because He is the Son of God, the One sent to give us freedom.
It’s an authority that has been proven because Jesus defeated Satan, not once giving into temptation.
It’s an authority with the power to overcome sin and death, power proven on the cross.
It’s an authority that establishes Jesus as the One who graciously give a place in His kingdom to those who don’t deserve.
That is the response we need today. Coming before Jesus in humility. Accepting that Jesus has all authority. That’s faith.
The faith which Jesus is looking for from each one of us.
The faith which Jesus is looking for from those who are searching for true hope.
