Week 13: Deserving Undeserved Grace

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

• Sunday: Deuteronomy 2:1-3:29, Luke 6:12-38, Psalm 67:1-7, Proverbs 11:27
• Monday: Deuteronomy 4:1-49, Luke 6:39-7:10, Psalm 68:1-18, Proverbs 11:28
• Tuesday: Deuteronomy 5:1-6:25, Luke 7:11-35, Psalm 68:19-35, Proverbs 11:29-31
• Wednesday: Deuteronomy 7:1-8:20, Luke 7:36-8:3, Psalm 69:1-18, Proverbs 12:1
• Thursday: Deuteronomy 9:1-10:22, Luke 8:4-21, Psalm 69:19-36, Proverbs 12:2-3
• Friday: Deuteronomy 11:1-12:32, Luke 8:22-39, Psalm 70:1-5, Proverbs 12:4
• Saturday: Deuteronomy 13:1-15:23, Luke 8:40-9:6, Psalm 71:1-24, Proverbs 12:5-7

Our S.O.A.P. this week is again from the gospel of Luke:

Scripture: Luke 7:4-5

4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, "This man deserves to have you do this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue."

Observation:
A Roman centurion asks some of his well-respected Jewish friends to approach Jesus with the request to heal one of his highly-valued servants. An interesting situation if you think about it some more. Even though he was a gentile, the Roman centurion has faith. He knows that the Jews are God's people, and he loves them and has been supporting them by building their synagogue. He also loves his servant. Very much so. In fact, he loves his servant so much, that he uses his Jewish connections to ask Jesus for a miracle. Obviously, he must have heard the reports of the healing power of Jesus that had spread through the region (Luke 6:17-19). With his servant being sick to the point of dying, Jesus now is his only hope.

When the Jewish elders approach Jesus on behalf of the Roman centurion, they beg Jesus to perform the requested miracle. The Greek word for pleading here is 'parakaleo', a word that is related to the word 'Parakletos', which is translated as Comforter or Advocate in John 14:16, where it refers to the Holy Spirit. Just like the Holy Spirit intercedes for us (Romans 8:26), so these Jewish leaders are interceding for their gentile Roman friend. They are saying to Jesus something to the effect... "You really really have to do this, because of all the good deeds this man has done for us. He deserves it!" It's a great plea -- out of faith and love and friendship.

And what does Jesus do? Does this man deserve a miracle because of his good deeds? With so much faith displayed, he is more than happy to perform the requested miracle. But not because of the man's good deeds, but because of his faith. This Roman centurion deserves undeserved grace! 

Application:
The application for me is really in the attitude of the Roman centurion. His humbleness is striking. He knows Jesus is his only hope. He also knows all the good deeds he has performed, yet he humbly approaches Jesus through the Jewish elders. He doesn't even feel worthy to meet Jesus face to face. In his high public position, he knows where he stands spiritually. And he knows his need for the Savior to come into his life to make things right for him and his servant.

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this example of the Roman centurion who loved your people. I pray that you give me faith like him, as well as a humble attitude. Thank you for Jesus who heals and restores. May we reflect on his name as we get ready to celebrate his death and resurrection this week. In his name we pray. Amen.

Have a blessed week.

In Christ,

Dick