What do you need to do to be worthy to enter God’s presence?
This is an important question in the LDS mind. If you’re not worthy, then you can’t enter the temple, and the temple is to LDS salvation what sunlight is to a plant. How does the LDS Church say you can be worthy to enter the temple and God’s presence? Having a testimony, sustaining the Church President, tithing, honesty, keeping the Word of Wisdom, and church attendance, among other things. If your bishop and stake president deem you worthy in these areas, you receive a temple recommend, and you’re allowed to enter temples.
Jesus gives a strikingly different view of worthiness in Luke 7:1-10.
“He is Worthy”
Jesus enters Capernaum, a fishing village on the hill-ringed sea of Galilee. A centurion lives there, and his servant is sick, a step from death (1-2). Already we’re poised for an interesting scene.
In Jesus’ day, centurions were no small matter. They were leaders in the world’s strongest military, the Roman army. Generally, they commanded a hundred men, and the Capernaum centurion acknowledges that he’s used to exercising authority over soldiers and servants (8). Centurions worked their way up the ranks of common soldiers and received much higher pay than soldiers below them. He probably could have commanded that Jesus heal his servant. Pretty impressive, right?
Roman soldiers were generally disdained by the Jewish people, though. After all, the Roman Empire ruled Israel like a cat with a trapped beetle—exacting taxes, squashing revolts, and placing corrupt leaders in power. But this man is different. He’s able to send Jewish elders to ask Jesus to save his servant’s life, which means he cared about his servant enough to ask Jesus for help (3). When they find Jesus, they plead earnestly with him, saying of the centurion, “He is worthy for you to grant this, because he loves our nation and has built us a synagogue” (4-5). This means he probably financed the building project out of his own pocket. This man’s character seems to exceed his military rank. Pretty impressive, right?
The Jewish leaders’ statement sounds similar to the LDS temple recommend. In the LDS mind, the temple recommend says to God, “He is worthy to enter your temple because he tithes, is honest, doesn’t drink alcohol, attends church, and more.”
How does Jesus respond? He’s healed before, and it’s included those whom the Jewish leaders would have deemed unworthy—the demon-possessed, the poor, lepers (Luke 4:31-44; 5:12-16; 6:17-19). Surely such a reputable man deserves to have his servant healed, then.
Without a word, Jesus sets off down the dusty road to the centurion’s house. Before they arrive, however, something surprising happens.
“I am Not Worthy”
As they near the house, the centurion sends his friends to talk to Jesus (6). Another delegation. Has the servant died? Will the centurion complain that Jesus took too long?
The message is stunning: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, since I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. That is why I didn’t even consider myself worthy to come to you” (6-7). The Jewish leaders’ jaws must have plummeted. At last, the reason for these delegations. They weren’t displays of power, but of humility.
Though the centurion is an important military leader, he calls Jesus—a Jew, a peasant carpenter, an itinerant teacher from backwoods Galilee—“Lord.” Just like the centurion has authority to command soldiers and servants, he acknowledges that Jesus has power to heal with a word from a distance (7-8). With all of his authority, military prowess, and money, the centurion can’t do anything like that.
The centurion also acknowledges that he’s unworthy. Even though he has an important position, the people’s respect, wealth, and honorable character, this man knows that he isn’t worthy to be near Jesus.
Finally, this gets Jesus’ attention. He is amazed, and verse nine gives us Jesus’ only comment on this situation: “I tell you, I have not found so great a faith even in Israel.” What a compliment from the Lord Jesus himself!
Jesus was amazed that this important and respected man humbly acknowledged his unworthiness. Jesus marveled at his faith in Jesus’ power to heal. Jesus was impressed that this man believed Jesus was gracious enough to heal his servant, even though he didn’t deserve it.
When the centurion’s friends return to his house, they find the servant healed, just like the centurion believed it could happen (10).
What Makes You Worthy?
How does the LDS teaching on temple worthiness compare with Jesus’ response to the centurion’s humble faith? The reality is that no matter how good you are, you’re never worthy to approach God. He’s too high above us, and too holy!
Yet he wants you to approach him. How? Through humble faith that acknowledges your unworthiness. Through humble trust in his power and grace. Through humble belief that Jesus is enough to make you fully acceptable to God, apart from anything you’ve done.
God welcomes us not because we’ve worked hard enough to make ourselves worthy, but because he is gracious. When you acknowledge your unworthiness, trust in God’s grace, and fully depend on Jesus alone to give you access to God—that’s what delights and impresses him.
Praise the gracious God who accepts unworthy sinners through humble faith in Jesus!