You don’t need to scroll social media for long before you hear this message on loop: “You deserve it.”

Buy this irrationally expensive purse (that costs as much as a downpayment on a house) because you deserve it.

Indulge in this decadent dessert (that you’ll need to work off the rest of the week) because you deserve it.

Do this 23-step skincare routine (that will take so long that you’ll start aging while doing it) because you deserve it.

We may roll our eyes at these thinly-veiled product endorsements and move on. But have these messages insidiously slipped into our thinking?

Recently, I’ve come across this sentiment in Christian circles too. It’s a message that goes something like this: “God loves you because you’re worthy.” That seems like another version of the “you deserve” trend.

But in Scripture, we encounter people who didn’t think they deserved anything from God—and were blessed for their humble faith.

One unlikely example of this self-effacing humility is seen in the Centurion from Capernaum whose servant was unwell. His story is mentioned in Matthew 8 and Luke 7.

The Centurion was a big-wig in the Roman army with about 100 people reporting to him. Clearly, he was also a genuinely nice guy who cared for his servants. He sent messengers to get ahold of Jesus to heal his servant when he was unwell.

Here’s what the messengers—Jewish elders who went as emissaries—said to Jesus: “This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” (Luke 7)

These Jewish elders were sure that Jesus’ blessings were directed toward those who deserved it. And, after all, this Roman Centurion loved the Jewish nation and even built their synagogue.

Was Jesus intrigued? Did He know what was about to unfold?

Whatever the reason, Jesus went with them toward the Centurion’s house. But on the way, their phones beeped with another message. Kidding. They were interrupted by more of the Centurion’s buddies. They had a message from the boss: “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….” (Luke 7::4-5)

This heavyweight in the Roman army realized that he was undeserving and unworthy of Jesus. He didn’t flash his badge at Jesus. He didn’t whip out his resume. He simply adopted a posture of humility before his Lord.

Jesus recognized this man’s humility and faith and answered his prayer. He then commended him with these words: “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” (Luke 7:9)

I don’t know if this Centurion continued to rise in the ranks of the Roman army. But he is remembered for posterity because he chose a posture of humility before God.

Scripture reminds us to humble ourselves before God and that He will lift us up in due time (1 Peter 5: 6). We see profound examples of this through the pages of the Bible.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, didn’t think she deserved to carry the Savior of the world.

John the Baptist didn’t think he deserved to even untie the sandals of Jesus.

Simon Peter didn’t think he deserved to be counted among the disciples, declaring that he was a sinful man.

The woman with the issue of blood didn’t think she deserved to be healed and simply came up behind Him to touch His cloak.

Zacchaeus didn’t think he deserved to have a meal with Jesus as he was a tax collector.

And in each of these instances of self-effacing humility, Jesus blesses these individuals.

In understanding that we are undeserving and yet unconditionally loved and undeniably blessed, we grow in intimacy with Jesus. But when we start from a place of “I deserve,” we distance ourselves from God. When we grow entitled, there’s little room to be empowered.

Bringing It Home

In what situations have I adopted an “I deserve it” thinking? What mindset can I adopt instead? Have I asked God to re-orient my heart so that I understand that He alone deserves the glory?

Lean In

Father God, In this world of self-promotion, I pray for the gift of self-denial. In this age of self-obsession, I ask for the blessing of self-forgetfulness. Lord, I pray that in everything I would long to glorify You alone. Teach me true humility in Your presence. In Jesus’ name. Amen

 

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