The Worthiness of the Unworthy; Luke 7:1-10

Delivered during the Sunday morning worship service, 6/26/2022. With the Sermon on the Mount completed, Luke returns to the narrative of Jesus' healing ministry in and around Capernaum of Galilee. It is fascinating that Luke chooses to place this story of the healing of a Gentile's slave immediately after Jesus' discussion of true Kingdom discipleship. We will touch on a variety of themes present in the story, but focus on the dynamic between the centurion, the elders of the Jews, and Jesus as the miracle-working Son of God who heals with just a Word. We will compare the centurion's faith and dependence on Jesus' grace, with the elders' unbelief and dependence on merit. We will key on the contrast between the Jews' assessment of the centurion as "worthy" and the centurion's self-assessment as "unworthy". We will ask ourselves what caused Jesus to marvel at the man's faith, and where this faith came from in the first place. Ultimately, we will realize that it is Christ alone who is truly worthy and the only One who can make those who are unworthy to be infinitely and eternally worthy before a Holy God!