Monday, June 2, 2008
Matthew 8:8 The centurion answered and said, "Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof."
NOT WORTHY, BUT STILL LOVED!
A pastor tells of an old cab driver who once gave him a ride. As he climbed in the back seat the pastor dropped a remark about the cabby's age, and then added: "Well, I hope that yours will be a happy lot when your years come to an end." "Yes, sir," answered the old man, "I think they will. I've never been drunk in my life, never used a profane word, and I also go to church now and then." He was pretty satisfied with himself and was quite shocked when the pastor expressed serious doubts about his going to heaven if he were to die in such a self-righteous state.
The cabby's self-trust is found even among those who call themselves Christians. It's always the same idea: "I'm worthy of heaven because of the good I've done, or the evil I have not done."
The Centurion in our verse, despite all his prestige, looked upon himself as a wretched sinner. Why? Was he haunted by memories of people whom he had hurt in his life? Was he aware of his failures as a follower of Christ? Was he disgusted by wicked thoughts that lurked within his heart? We don't know. One thing is certain: He knew he deserved nothing from Jesus -- nothing, that is, but rejection and punishment.
And yet he knew something else. He knew that Jesus was the Friend of sinners. He knew Jesus was his Friend. God had worked in his heart a faith that looked away from self and depended entirely on Christ for salvation. The Centurion had a faith centered on God's grace! His was the kind of faith expressed in the favorite hymn: "Nothing in my hand I bring, Simply to Thy cross I cling."
No. We are not worthy, but, nevertheless, we are loved by God deeply and forever. Just look who He sent to bleed and die for us. His own Son.
