November 20th, 20

Someone got it. Someone heard, saw, and understood.  Ironically, in most people’s eyes, this would have been the most unlikely person to get it.  Jesus had been talking preaching, and sending out his disciples to proclaim the Kingdom of God – the with-God life – that we’ve all been invited back into.  Jesus had been proclaiming this message and nobody seemed to get it.  Except on this day, this Roman officer got it.  He was in crisis like we all find ourselves in at one time or another. He had a friend, a servant, who was paralyzed and in terrible pain. He came to Jesus, because he knew that Jesus was the source of healing.  Jesus agreed to go home to heal the servant.  But the officer stopped him in his tracks and said these incredible words:  

Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.”  

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel! (Mt 8:8-10 NLT)

This guy gets it?  What does he get?  He gets the kind of life that Jesus Himself has been demonstrating.  Jesus says to us, in every word and action, that he takes every step in utter dependence of his Father.   Without His Father He can do nothing. He is under His Father’s authority.  He works in utter dependence and utter communion with His Father. Jesus is showing us that the life of the kingdom is a life of dependence upon God.  This officer got it! He recognized that what needed to be done could only be done through Christ.  

Mine is not to fret, or sweat or freak out.  Mine is to depend upon him. If he gives the word that my servant will be healed than I can rest in that. I can relax into the adequacy of the One who is big enough- who has the authority, to do what needs to be done.

Jesus offers us this same quality of life.  This is the normal Christian life – to live in utter dependence upon God – waking up each day, to discover what God would have for us – recognizing that apart from Him we can do nothing.  

Relax into the adequacy of the One who is big enough for the job.  Stand back and see what God will do as you trust Him.

You are loved!