To set
the stage for this verse: A centurion came to Jesus, asking him to heal his
servant. A centurion was a professional officer of the Roman army* and, thus, a Gentile. This man respected Jesus’ authority and did not question
Jesus’ ability to heal his servant from a distance. Jesus marveled at the man’s
faith, going on to contrast it with that of “the subjects of the kingdom.”
Jesus
was, of course, referring to the Jews. They had been entrusted with the Law and
with the prophecies concerning the Messiah so who better to recognize that the
fulfillment of both was right there in front of them. Except that they didn’t.
They thought their position in the kingdom was secure because of their
relationship to Abraham. By bragging on the centurion’s faith, Jesus introduced
a startling truth to his Jewish listeners: their racial identity didn’t
guarantee them a place at the table and the Gentiles’ racial identity was not
an automatic barrier to their entrance to the kingdom.*
Jesus’
condemnation of the Jews was chilling, their fate terrifying. But the same
punishment awaits anyone who rejects Jesus as the Messiah – including many who
call themselves Christians. As Christians, we can become complacent and
arrogant in our role as keepers of the truth. It is possible to do everything a Christian should do and still not be a Christian.
Jesus
said that if we love him, we will obey him (John 14: 23). If our obedient
actions aren’t accompanied by love for him, we reject him as surely as the Jews
did. If we love him, our obedience will reflect Christlike characteristics –
humility; compassion; gentleness; joy. Each of us should enlist the Spirit’s
help in guarding against hollow obedience, shallow faith, and self-righteous
legalism. Love Jesus and have no fear of that outer darkness.
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