Blessings depend upon worthyness.

In Luke 7 we read of a certain centurion who’s much loved servant was near death. He sent the elders of the Jews unto Jesus asking him to heal his servant. When they came to Jesus Luke says they explained to him that this servant was worthy of this blessing. I have probably read this story a hundred times but this is the first time that I noticed worthiness for a blessing was necessary.

I have a small ceramic depiction of three monkeys that has been passed down to me from my family. The first monkey has covered his mouth to speak no evil. The second has covered his ears to hear no evil. The third has covered his eyes to see no evil. I have a tendency to do just that, and I suppose that is a good thing to a degree. However, I have learned that when an individual says they are unworthy I need to allow them to repent of their own sins. No matter how much I love and admire a person only they know what they need to repent of.  A personal conversion, a life changing event of repentance and commitment to the gospel must take place. Even if that conversion is heartfelt we all have that potential to backslide, to coast as I did, but at this particular time the servant was worthy of this blessing. 

The thought here is the Lord has promised many times under certain circumstances to give us so many blessings that we will be unable to receive them all. It would be like if you were five and someone gave you a brand new expensive top of the line car. You couldn't drive it yourself and the people who could might not use it in your best interest.

We notice in this chapter of Luke that the centurion himself was unworthy. He had a strong faith however that Jesus could heal his servant even from a far distance. He sent someone out to tell Jesus, I didn't come to you myself because I am unworthy  I am a man having authority over soldiers and servants. I say to one go and he goes, to another come and comes, do this, do that and they do it. I know that all you have to do is say the word and it is done.

Jesus turned to the people that were with him and said, “I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.”