Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

2 April 2025

Reading From Luke 7:1-30

“When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” So Jesus went with them.

He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.

—Luke 7:1-10

     The Jewish elders felt that the centurion deserved to have Jesus heal his servant because he had built their synagogue.  While they felt that money made him deserving of favor, Jesus looked at his heart and honored his faith and humility.  Even in today’s world we see material wealth and social status to be indicative of personal value.  Not so with the Lord.  He shows no favoritism.  The ground at the foot of the cross is level.  All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and salvation is by grace through faith and not of works so that no one can boast in their own achievements.  We all come to the Father in the same way; by humble faith and trust in the Son. 

“God, change our minds and hearts to be more like You.  Let us have Your eternal perspective on life.  Order our priorities rightly.  Show us what is truly important.  May we value what You value.  I pray that we would honor and glorify You and Your great Name.  We love You Jesus.  Amen.”

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. Forthe Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

—I Samuel 16:7