46-48 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’, and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. 49 But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”

Chapter 7 vs 1-3 After Jesus had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4-5 And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.” And Jesus went with them.

6 When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. 7-8 Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go’, and he goes; and to another, ‘Come’, and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this’, and he does it.” 9-10 When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well. Luke 6:46 – 7:10 English Standard Version

Most of those who read these posts are probably, like myself, someone who calls Jesus ‘Lord’. So did you note, and perhaps ponder over, the words Jesus spoke in vs 46-48?

Jesus attracted many followers - but he made it very clear that we need to go further than merely 'liking' the things he said if we want to experience the security that he gives. He told the people that they needed to live out what he taught them. Remember, some of those things were not easy, such as loving those who treat us with hostility and forgiving those who have done us wrong. But the illustration of the two houses with different foundations shows that it is only those who obey Jesus who will be secure in life's storms, and on the day of judgement. That's what the words 'Lord, Lord' imply. To disobey Jesus is to disobey God. This matter of total obedience is seen in the incident of the Centurion at Capernaum.

Jesus drew the attention of the crowd to the amazing faith the Centurion showed. But the incident also tells us something about obedience. Notice how the Centurion expected (and received) immediate obedience from all those under his authority. That's the sort of obedience we ought to show to Christ. His explanation also showed that he fully believed that Christ's words had power and authority. And that's how we should regard all the teachings of Jesus. But the Centurion also showed the sort of attitude that is most likely to obey Christ fully. What was that? (vs 6)

It's the attitude of humility. A humility that recognizes that we fall far, far short of deserving God's mercies and the security that God's care brings. Notice that he was already a respectable and well liked person in the community. (vs 4-5) That can be true of many folk, especially if we measure ourselves against other people. But this Centurion had realized that God's standard is more holy, and far higher than mans.

There's an old hymn that says 'Trust and obey, for there's no other way – to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.' The Centurion shows us that this trusting and obeying begins with humility. Those who humble themselves before Jesus and put his words into action, will be the ones who experience the security that he gives to the trusting soul. May it be that he is not Lord in word only - but in humble obedience.