Luke 7:1-17
‘My daughter doesn’t come to Church anymore. She just became engaged to a wonderful young man. He doesn’t believe in religion, but they want to get married in your Church, and wondered if you would agree to marry them’, asked the bride’s mother, as she passed me a plate full of sandwiches at a post service reception.
She must have felt the same dilemma as the Roman officer, who sent his Jewish friends to ask Jesus if he could come and make a request of Jesus.
It happens all the time in life. I understand that before a person receives an official invitation from the Queen to be her representative, the person is contacted by a subordinate to ensure that the invitation will not be refused. I guess one cannot say no to the Queen.
Maybe the Roman officer was following his own army’s protocol, or perhaps he felt that his Jewish friend would have more sway over Jesus… after all, Jesus was ‘one of their kind’.
Whatever the case, Jesus came with the Jewish friend, met the Roman officer and cured his servant ‘from a distance’.
This incident showed the awesome healing power of God, as well as showing that God is the God of all people, and not just of one race or class of individuals.
Because God/Jesus healed from a distance, it assures me that Jesus does not have to be physically present to perform God’s good works.
I also see this incident as a foreshadowing of the cross and resurrection. It may have been true, that prior to Jesus’ coming, people needed a hierarchy of intermediaries to approach God. But Jesus removed all the barriers, so that we could approach God on our own and met face to face with our God. The symbol of this happening was the curtain in the Temple being ripped ‘asunder’ at the moment of Christ’s death. No more were humans denied access to God, Jesus had paved the way for us to go to God.
Question – do you still have ‘curtains’ preventing you from meeting face to face with God?
Monday's reading: Luke 7:18-35
(Today's post submitted by guest writer Rev. Hollis Hiscock.)
posted by Allison Lynn @ 8:57 AM
1 Comments
1 Comments:
Friend's, Roman's, Countrymen, All: Another, more eloquent word's same time, near an same station, hear. Some, of the nicest, helpful, patient, people, teacher's-met, were history, and geography oriented. Until, these moment's though, I never really could isolate the importance of their 'contributions', to me, and education. For, I couldn't somehow, roll-over the esence of the time,place, issue's like to-day.
The story, that enable me so, would in fact, could be 'on account', for million's of other's that have. How, do you, or have you, meaningfully made sense of such thing's of 'yesteryear'. For in modern context, even yesterday's new's, [even Valentines'] is old new's.
Well, you try harder, you meditate, you contemplate, how could I improve on that to-day, or just what is thaty all about---Alfie.
Whenever, I hear, read 'anywhere', Jesus said: " anything ", I near go nut's, and want to get those word's, at least into my mind, now. I stop everything, so if you want to get my attention, try it!
Luke, rather St.Luke, for their is not many, thank you Luke. Why!
Here the Roman, imagine that, an Roman centurian, officer, translate that into present day term's, and you will really have something to consider. Did send his 'emissary', to see Jesus, simply 'seeking his help', for his friend, an sick, dying servant, in an sort of manner, he was custom'd to. It must have been reasonable for jesus accept it so, and used the whole instance-favourable.
That in itself is quite amazing, awesome to me, creates an 'real possibility for, say yes for, 'to-day'. An historical precedent, for us!
Their message, Jesus, 'listened', how many times', do we really listen, even in an Vestry Meeting, do we get the fact's, before, our 'response'? Often, I'd say no! But here, they convivially say, [is there any other way] this; about their friend, the 'soldier', that he on merit, 'had done good thing's, good work's for THEM, even having, built an Synagogue. Well, that was enough for Jesus.
Without discourse, Jesus in sympathy,curiosity, and good intent went with them...all on that basis only. For, the sign of good work's simply mentioned by another, went and restored the sick servant to, "well", being. Why not just leave it there, for that's enough heh me, I wish I'd been there....but we don't have to. Consider, that his whole healing was more complex, and really set as an 'historical...precedent...for US, to-day. How so?
Well known, you shall not live by good-work's, alone, and for those whom take their immediate 'glory' in such, are refractory and now receive it's merit, personal attention. That, was the dilemma, it is apparent, Jesus easily forsaw all this, link. I see no immediate reason, for other, for he turned to the 'crowd', [US]no not USA, 'us', and said, "I tell you, I have never found Faith like this, not even in Israel". {Canada}
Constantly, in these lenten reading, understanding, we are looking for not only our own 'responses', but it's very interesting to study the stimuli to the various participant's, and the suggestion's, implications.
I guess, all I'm saying here is that I worry from time to time, the pre-emince of 'good work's' even by 'anybody'....for it happen's all the time. For me, good, is good is good, but not necessary so for Jesus, and his concept of 'new beginning's'.
For he here acknowledges, the good work's, apparently by 'anyone', but seem's to recognize, insist they be 'linked' to Faith.
We have to, rather I must put my Faith in God, and this is as good a place to, 'start as anywhere', follow His example. And acknowledge, both to HIm, God/Jesus, the very next time, you do good work's. This, do it in HIS name, give HIM the Glory. Be it an small, or much larger charitable donation, [not the Max-Me], so popular, maybe now 'I'.
In reverse here is an part example, of our 'Faith Work's Program', evident everywhere, but the 'good intention's', were precipated by an 'maybe', non-religeous, person....simply alway's doing 'his fortuitous best', no funerary here, to-day.
No excuse for 'good work's only', in your name. So, send me cash, and I'll deposit, it in the right frame!
No!
Blessing's. signed. + k
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