November 27, 2012
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 8:5-13
OBSERVATIONS
1. This Roman soldier had a fascinating understanding of spiritual authority and power, seeing it as similar to his own political authority and power as a soldier backed by Caesar. He saw Jesus as backed by divinity, therefore capable of just saying the word.
2. Jesus struggle was that the people who should have believed like this did not. He makes the shocking prediction that there will be many ‘outsiders’ present at the eternal feast (ie paradise, life after Judgement Day), while many insiders will not be there, because they refused to believe.
3. Thrown outside, into the darkness, weeping and gnashing of teeth? A disturbing image. A judgment reserved for the worst offenders, guilty of the vilest crimes. Is this literal, or descriptive? Doesn’t really matter, the point is that it will not be a happy outcome. I do not like the topic of hell, and I do not pretend to know what it is, but I do believe that there will be a day of judgment, and that some people will enter eternal life while others do not. I also believe that there will be some surprises as to who is there and who is not.
What do you notice in this passage?
APPLICATION
1. I find it interesting to compare Jesus’ experience with mine, the faith and doubts of people who were born and raised in the church, and the faith and doubts of people outside of the church. From a ‘churchy’ point of view, those not raised in the church often lived troubled or messed up lives, yet have a simpler, stronger faith than the ‘good, religious’ people born and raised in the church.
2. I believe that God wants His paradise filled up with as many people who are willing. I believe that there will be many more people there than we expect. But I also believe that many religious people who thought that they had a special ‘in’ with God will be surprised. Jesus has already hinted at this in Matthew 7:21-23.
3. This Roman centurion did not know Who Jesus was, or what He came to do. He did not know what the kingdom was, nor the incarnation, nor the trinity. He worked for Caesar, an enforcer for an evil empire. Yet he had more faith than anyone else Jesus had met so far. This makes me wonder about our definitions of faith, and of the kind of faith needed in order to be saved. God/Jesus seems to see deeper than we do when it comes to faith. Is this why there will be people saved who we did not think had ‘faith’ by our definitions?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I would like to see this kind of healing power, like the centurion did. I do not understand the HOWs and WHYs of Your healing power, but I do know Your love for all people. Please heal ______, may they taste and see Your goodness, as a sampler of the great feast to come!
A centurion was a commander of 100 men in the Roman army (I had to look this up). This powerful man saw in Jesus something that he needed. Having power to command people to do things or having money is no guarantee of a comfortable life. Sickness can come to you or those you love or care about. This centurion cared enough about his paralyzed and suffering servant to ask Jesus to help. Jesus response to the man was that he would go and heal the servant.
You would think that at this time, the centurion would be elated, however, he had forgotten to clean up the dishes before heading out, and his house was a mess, so he asked Jesus to just say the word. Actually, we read that the centurion says that he does not deserve to have Jesus come to his house. This centurion was a leader, and understood about power and command, and he saw in Jesus a power that he could not match. This is not a man who did not think highly of himself or was in a position where he would not have a good self-image. He sounds like a logical thinker. Do I deserve God’s listening ear? The centurion asked for help in spite of not deserving a visit from Jesus. I need to ask, even though I know that I don’t deserve the grace that God freely provides.
We are told several times about an expected feast in the Kingdom of God. That is great, because I love to eat. It will be interesting to sit down with Moses, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to listen to their stories. Who are “the subjects of the kingdom” who will be thrown outside in the darkness? I tend to read over lines like this without much thought. Oh, they are just the bad guys… But if they are subjects of the kingdom?? What kingdom?? What have they done?
I pray that I may have faith like the centurion, that God will provide his grace to me, even though I do not deserve.
Observations:
The centurion is asking for help for one of his servants which shows great love for his neighbor.
The centurion knows his relation to Jesus – as he has those who do his bidding – his word – so the centurion believed in Christ’s word.
Many are called kids of the kingdom but have little to show for it and they will be cast out.
Believe and receive.
Applications:
I am a servant of the King and I too need to obey His Word. Not greater love does a man have than to lay down his life for a friend. I too need to be like the centurion or Jesus for others who are sick – physically/spiritual – and bring them to the Lord for healing.
As the centurion gave commands and his people did, so I too need to do the commands of my Commander – come and go according to His Word – serving Him with my all.
Our loving must be our knowing must be our doing. Words are not enough. Service is not just lip service but action. Being a kingdom kid means also doing – producing fruit. Knowing = doing.
Believe and receive and see the power at work.
Prayer:
Lord make me an instrument of Your peace. Open my eyes so that I may see the power of Christ and go forward in that power so that others may be healed and experience that healing power.
His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.