-March 30, 2023-
Good morning, happy Thursday,
“And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue” (Luke 7:4-5).
“Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed” (Luke 7:7).
Many people brought others in need to Jesus, but the incident in today’s text is the only one where the Jews, who were his enemies, who rejected Him and did believe in Him, actually came to Him for help. They felt that the Roman centurion was deserving of healing because of his good deeds shown to them. They said, “…he loves our nation, and built us a synagogue.” Many unsaved people today believe they are deserving of salvation and eternal life. They look around at others who have committed much worse wrongs and convince themselves their good deeds will far outweigh their bad ones. This is a lie from the devil. He has lulled them into a false sense of security.
As long as a person doesn’t see themself a lost sinner in need of salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life — they cannot be saved. Hence, one of the thieves on the cross near Jesus refused to get saved, while the other saw his need and was wonderfully saved before he died. Religion, good works, keeping the law, living a good life are all stumbling blocks to coming to Christ. Jesus said in Matthew 9:12-13, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Paul wrote in Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” All sin is missing the mark, God’s perfect standards. He also said, “As it is written: ‘There is none righteous, no not one (Romans 3:10).’” No one can say they deserve salvation, on the contrary all of us deserve damnation. Mercy does not give us what we deserve, grace gives what we don’t deserve. Psalm 103:10 tells us, “He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities.”
Even after we come to Jesus and are saved, we never lose the sense that we are undeserving. Heaven is and will be filled with those who feel they don’t deserve it, and not one will be there who thinks they deserve it. The hymn that was sung at every Billy Graham Crusade is entitled, “Just As I am.” It was written by Charlotte Elliott. The first verse says, “Just as I am, without one plea, but that Thy blood was shed for me, and that Thou biddst me come to Thee—O Lamb of God, I come, I come!” If you haven’t yet received Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, please do so today.
Tomorrow we will consider the great faith of the Roman centurion who considered himself unworthy. Have a blessed day thanking the Lord for saving us though we are so undeserving of it. Stay safe and healthy.
Never forgetting how undeserving we are,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 