When control feels safer than surrender (Nurture Notes 007)

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Although we’re diving into some key themes within Luke 7 in this Nurture Note, in church yesterday, the preacher shared something with me which really got me thinking about the themes I knew I’d be sharing in this week’s devotional.

Romans 8:6-7 says - “The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.”

Hostility to God is an invitation for unrest. However, there’s ‘selah’ (a peace-filled pause) in our surrender.

It doesn’t always make sense - the truth is, it might not even make sense to you. But without a mind which says yes to God and invites him in fully to the decisions we’re making and the life we’re leading, we’re choosing to forfeit peace. That really got to me today.

It’s also important to note that this peace isn’t the same as the peace the world gives. Jesus told us that (Check out John 14:27), which is why, again, it’s crucial to abide in him, in order to obtain it.

This is something that the Centurion mentioned in Luke 7 knew without any kind of doubt.

I find his story so remarkable, largely because there’s a huge part of me who is a (recovering) control freak. I want to know what’s going on and when. I want to know who’s doing what and where. And the truth is, I often have to relinquish that control through clenched fists and gritted teeth.

The Centurion however knew that faith truly was enough.

The opening verses of the chapter tell us that his servant was sick and about to die. Verse three then goes on to note that the Centurion ‘heard of’ Jesus and sent people to him, asking him to heal his servant.

This is already striking to me, especially when we consider the landscape Jesus has been ministering within thus far. Remember, crowds have been pressing into him, people have come from far and wide to hear him, to speak to him, to have him heal them. And yet when this Centurion - arguably someone of significance within his time, comes to realise that Jesus is in town, he doesn’t force himself in front of the crowds and barge his way into Jesus’ presence. Instead, he sends some elders.

What’s perhaps even more significant is that upon hearing the elders rationale as to why Jesus should follow them (see verses 4-5), Jesus goes with them.

Verse 6 tells us that Jesus was close. I don’t know what close means biblically speaking. But I do know that when people’s favourite music artist or sports team are even remotely close to them, they find a way to get themselves to the stadium or the arena! Based on that thinking, we’d envision this Centurion rushing out and pleading with Jesus, right? We'd think he'd be doing whatever it takes. Remember, his servant is close to death at this point.

But what does the Centurion do? Sends other people again to tell Jesus ‘not to trouble himself’ and instead to ‘say the word’ in order for his servant to be healed.

It’s here that he sees the heart of this man and the humility and faith he held.

“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.” (Luke 6b-8)

The Centurion truly didn’t want to make this about him - about his importance and his status. He wanted to make it about Jesus. So much so that he couldn’t even bring himself to face him.

This stopped me in my tracks if I’m being honest. The complete opposite of the ‘do you know who I am’ type of energy the Pharisees gave off, this man just knew that one word would change absolutely everything.

Verse 9 tells us that Jesus was amazed and that he turns to the crowd who were following him and says: “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.”

The servant is healed and the Centurion didn’t even come face to face with Jesus.

It takes me back to Romans verses I opened this Nurture Note up with. ‘A mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace’. The Centurion truly not only believed this, but possessed this. While many would have frantically rushed and panicked their way towards Jesus if they were in his shoes, he knew that that wasn’t what it was all about.

It’s got me thinking about where my level of faith is at, what I allow my mind to be governed by and ultimately, how I can continue to remain close to Jesus.

There's obviously a lot more we could dive into from Luke 7 when we think about Jesus and John the Baptist and the ‘sinful woman’ who anointed Jesus. However, I really felt led to land here today. I wonder what thoughts it’s sparked in you?
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​Some questions you might like to consider:​
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1. Where is my faith being shaped?

2. What’s governing my mind?

3. Am I willing to lay down control in exchange for peace?

As ever, we dive into daily journal prompt type questions like these and more in my membership community ‘Rooted Rhythms’, which takes us deeper into this passage we begin the week with in the form of daily journal prompts, a weekly audio and a month reflect and revisit workbook. If you want all of that every month for less than you pay for a couple of coffees, click here.

Until next week!

Keep going, keep growing!

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