Exodus 10, Luke 7

Monday, February 18, 2008 - Brandon Hatmaker

"he Power of Pharaoh and the faith of a centurion."

(Exodus 10)

“Pharaoh's officials said to him, "How long will this man be a snare to us? Let the people go, so that they may worship the LORD their God. Do you not yet realize that Egypt is ruined?" vs. 7

We have to be careful with power. It doesn’t just tempt us to selfishness in attitude and personal agenda, but from this scripture, we realize that it can drastically impact our decision-making. Even decisions impacting a nation. Pharaoh’s loss was much greater than him having to endure plagues and the eventual loss of his entire work-force, he was losing credibility with his people. He lost the trust of his followers because they no longer agreed with his stance. His key leaders (officials) were not just beginning to question his thought processes, they were knee deep in it. They were using words that showed they had felt this way for a while. They knew the power was in Pharaoh’s hands and although they used passive language saying, “how long will this man be a snare to us?” The question they were truly asking was, Pharaoh, when are you going to come to your senses and stop letting him be a snare. They were on the wrong side of the battle, and they knew it.

(Luke 7)

"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." vs.4-7

We can learn a lot not only from the faith of the centurion, but also from his humility. He was obviously a man of great power, influence, and favor among men. He sent the “elders of the Jews” to speak to Jesus and they reported that the centurion “deserved” this grace.

But there is a fresh change in the story when you hear the centurion speak. He did not consider himself as one who “deserved” anything. Even to have Jesus under his roof. But his faith was great.

Jesus said, “I have not found such great faith even in Israel.”

Great faith is not found in remembering only that Jesus can do something amazing for us, it’s remembering also who He is, the Son of God. And in that realization, a perspective that no matter how “high” we are on the social ladder on this earth, we have nothing and are nothing without Him

Father, because you answer prayer, it’s a dangerous prayer to pray for humility. But if this is what it takes to have great faith, I pray for it. I pray also for great perspective. I pray for a daily reminder of your greatness, your grace, and your peace and joy. Thank you God that your plan creates wholeness that we can trust.