Friday, June 7, 2013
Luke 7:3-7 When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue." And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, "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 say the word, and let my servant be healed."
Ephesians 6:13a, 15 Therefore take up the whole armor of God ... and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
GOSPEL FOOTGEAR
The Apostle Paul uses the Roman soldier's equipment to picture the way God equips the Christ-believer to stand against the schemes of the devil. Two things stand out: 1) The Gospel of Christ in its various aspects is the Christian's great defense against the old evil Foe; it is our belt of truth, our breastplate of righteousness and our shield of faith. 2) Part of the believer's defense is a strong offense. For the message of the crucified and risen Christ is the heart of that Word which is the sword of the Spirit. That same Gospel moves us to spring into life-saving action -- "having put on [like boots] the readiness given by the gospel of peace."
The centurion whose faith amazed even Jesus sets us a good example. The contrast between the Gentile convert's reliance on Jesus and the synagogue elders' appeal to the man's "deserving" works of love is plain to see. Part of the reason for this was the willingness of the centurion to publicly bear witness to the fact that his faith was not in his own works of love but rather in the authority and love of Jesus.
The centurion did truly love the Jews as a nation and the elders of Capernaum in particular. (No doubt they had taught him the Scriptures.) He loved them enough to humbly let them see his faith was not in his own works but in the work of Jesus the Messiah -- so that they might lay aside their own work-righteousness and find the better way in Him who is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
Thy works, not mine, O Christ, Speak gladness to this heart;
They tell me all is done, They bid my fear depart.
Thy righteousness, O Christ, Alone can cover me;
No righteousness avails Save that which is of Thee.
To whom save Thee, who canst alone For sin atone, Lord, shall I flee?
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 380:1, 5)
