The Awe We Often Forget - Day 89 Month 3-30 Week 13-5

Today's Reading (Bible in 1 year)


Numbers 1:47-2:34 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%201%3A47-2%3A34&version=NASB1995

Psalm 73:1-14 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2073%3A1-14&version=NASB1995

Isaiah 63:1-14 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2063%3A1-14&version=NASB1995

Luke 6:46-7:17 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%206%3A46-7%3A17&version=NASB1995


The Awe We Often Forget


In Luke 7:9 Jesus says “I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith.”  He was referring to a gentile who was a Centurion.  Jesus had the disciples around Him, had just finished His “sermon on the plain,” and was walking to Capernaum.  So if He was surrounded by His followers why did He say what He did about the Centurion?  I think there are probably several reasons but here’s a few that come to mind:

  • The Centurion recognized his unworthiness likely due to the fact that he wasn't Jewish.  He clearly recognized that Jesus was “I Am” because he felt unworthy to be in the presence of Jesus, just like Moses expressed unworthiness when God called him to the burning bush.

  • The Centurion also knew of Jesus' great power and authority because he understood authority.  He knew that Jesus could heal from wherever He was and did not need to be present.  He knew it would simply take Jesus' word.

It’s interesting how Jesus raised someone from the dead immediately after, yet someone being raised from the dead seems dwarfed by the story of the Centurion. Do you think it was a matter of real faith Jesus wanted to draw everyone’s attention to?


As I look at my own faith life, I realize how I don’t regularly live with this recognition of my smallness compared to His greatness, power and authority.  As soon as I finish writing this blog every morning, the internal conversation moves unintentionally, to “I.”  What will I do next?  What do we(I) need from town?  Do I have enough gas in the car?  Is it warm enough for me(I) to put siding on the barn?  Is it already time for me(I) to give the dog his lunchtime walk?  It’s time to rethink that, wouldn’t you say?  The questions could change to, what’s God’s next plan for me?  Since I need to go to town, what would God like me to do in addition to errands and gas for the car?  What is God’s priority for us to accomplish today, Is it siding on the barn?  Where does God want me to walk Jake for maximum impact for His plan?  You see, I’m still in the equation but God’s been put first in every situation.


Jesus does want a relationship with each and every one of us but it doesn’t mean we should not recognize our smallness and acknowledge it. It is only through what Jesus did for us that gives us the real ability to be in the presence of “I AM.”  It’s His power and authority that saves people and we should always be in Awe of Him.


I once sat in a seminar by Paul Oakley,  one of the popular worship leaders of the 90’s.  He spoke of the misuse of the word awesome.  He explained that the word awesome is overused in our culture because when you look at the definition of awesome, you realize only God is truly awesome.  Awesome  describes something causing awe, admiration, or profound wonder.  Is there any person or thing beyond “I AM” that we should be in awe of?  No.  I have always remembered that! 


The LORD (I AM) is awesome!


Have a great day!

Steve

steve.d.pauls@gmail.com


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