Humilty and Faith

As you know, the last blog I wrote was some reflections on Mark. I'm now in Luke. Chapter 7, to be exact. Some quick refrences, Luke 7:1-10, 7:36-50.

The first part of Luke 7 tells of a centurion and his sick servant. Now, the centurion sends some religious leaders to ask Jesus to come heal his servant instead of coming himself. Odd. Later on, however, we find out why. He sends some friends to Jesus to tell him to not bother coming, because he is not worthy to have Jesus under his roof. This centurion recognizes his lowliness before Christ, and admits it! He also says that with a word, he knows Jesus can heal his servant. Jesus is amazed at this Gentiles faith, and even says to the crowd following Him that He has not seen such faith in Israel. When the friends return to the house, they find the servant healed.  If we admitted or own lowliness and lack of worthiness before Christ, how much better and easier might our walk with Christ be?

In the second refrence to Luke 7, Jesus is dining at a religious teachers house when a 'woman in the town who was sinner,' came to the house with a jar of fragrant oil. She stands behine Him, at His feet, weeping, and washes His feet with her tears before drying them with her own hair and annointing them with the oil. Jesus then procedes to speak with the Pharisee and Simon, before telling the woman 'Your sins are forgiven you.' If we showed our humility towards Christ in our actions, what rewards might be reaped for the kingdom of heaven?

The faith and humility in the words and actions of the centurion leads to the healing of his servant. The faith and humility in the actions of the woman lead to forgivness. This is a picture of humility and faith in action. Let us strive to live like these examples. Humility in admitting our lowliness and our brokenness. Faith that Christ has the power to heal and to forgive.