Saturday, February 18, 2006
Roman Military
Matt. 8:1, 5-6
1. And when He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him.
5. And when He had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, entreating Him,
6. and saying, "Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering great pain."
Luke 7:1-2
1. When He had completed all His discourse in the hearing of the people, He went to Capernaum.
2. And a certain centurion's slave, who was highly regarded by him, was sick and about to die.
We continue in Luke’s chronology as we find that when He had completed all His discourse, or Sermon on the Mount, in the hearing of, not only the twelve, but the people who had come from all around to see this famous Jew. Capernaum is the next stop on His itinerary. Matthew tells us that great multitudes followed Him when He had come down from the mountain. He also agrees with Luke in that the next stop was Capernaum.
When we continue to contrast the two accounts we enter into some difficulty. Matthew tells us that a centurion came to Him, entreating Him, and saying, "Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering great pain." Luke’s diagnosis is: a certain centurion's slave, who was highly regarded by him, was sick and about to die.
The centurion was the backbone of the Roman army. Their job was to oversee a century, or a group of 100 men. 60 centuries made up the Roman Legion of 6000 men. He was the commander of the troops and victory in battle was dependent on his direction. He had to maintain high morale and the trust of his men along with being a wise warrior. In his particular century there was a certain individual stricken with a terminal illness. This individual Luke calls his slave – doulos – a servant of voluntary or involuntary subjection. It is obvious that this individual was under this centurion’s direction but Matthew used the word “pais” – a child; in this case a boy. In these words and action we see that this leader is especially concerned for this particular soldier.
1. And when He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him.
5. And when He had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, entreating Him,
6. and saying, "Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering great pain."
Luke 7:1-2
1. When He had completed all His discourse in the hearing of the people, He went to Capernaum.
2. And a certain centurion's slave, who was highly regarded by him, was sick and about to die.
We continue in Luke’s chronology as we find that when He had completed all His discourse, or Sermon on the Mount, in the hearing of, not only the twelve, but the people who had come from all around to see this famous Jew. Capernaum is the next stop on His itinerary. Matthew tells us that great multitudes followed Him when He had come down from the mountain. He also agrees with Luke in that the next stop was Capernaum.
When we continue to contrast the two accounts we enter into some difficulty. Matthew tells us that a centurion came to Him, entreating Him, and saying, "Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering great pain." Luke’s diagnosis is: a certain centurion's slave, who was highly regarded by him, was sick and about to die.
The centurion was the backbone of the Roman army. Their job was to oversee a century, or a group of 100 men. 60 centuries made up the Roman Legion of 6000 men. He was the commander of the troops and victory in battle was dependent on his direction. He had to maintain high morale and the trust of his men along with being a wise warrior. In his particular century there was a certain individual stricken with a terminal illness. This individual Luke calls his slave – doulos – a servant of voluntary or involuntary subjection. It is obvious that this individual was under this centurion’s direction but Matthew used the word “pais” – a child; in this case a boy. In these words and action we see that this leader is especially concerned for this particular soldier.
Thursday, February 16, 2006
A Certain Centurion's Faith and the Healing of his Servant
Matt. 8:1, 5-13
1. And when He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him.
5. And when He had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, entreating Him,
6. and saying, "Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering great pain."
7. And He said to him, "I will come and heal him."
8. But the centurion answered and said, "Lord, I am not worthy for You to come under my roof, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed.
9. "For I, too, am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, `Go!' and he goes, and to another, `Come!' and he comes, and to my slave, `Do this!' and he does it."
10. Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled, and said to those who were following, "Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel.
11. "And I say to you, that many shall come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven;
12. but the sons of the kingdom shall be cast out into the outer darkness; in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
13. And Jesus said to the centurion, "Go your way; let it be done to you as you have believed." And the servant was healed that very hour.
Luke 7:1-10
1. When He had completed all His discourse in the hearing of the people, He went to Capernaum.
2. And a certain centurion's slave, who was highly regarded by him, was sick and about to die.
3. And when he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders asking Him to come and save the life of his slave.
4. And when they had come to Jesus, they earnestly entreated Him, saying, "He is worthy for You to grant this to him;
5. for he loves our nation, and it was he who built us our synagogue."
6. Now Jesus started on His way with them; and when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself further, for I am not worthy for You to come under my roof;
7. for this reason I did not even consider myself worthy to come to You, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed.
8. "For I, too, am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, `Go!' and he goes; and to another, `Come!' and he comes; and to my slave, `Do this!' and he does it."
9. Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled at him, and turned and said to the multitude that was following Him, "I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith."
10. And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.
1. And when He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him.
5. And when He had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, entreating Him,
6. and saying, "Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering great pain."
7. And He said to him, "I will come and heal him."
8. But the centurion answered and said, "Lord, I am not worthy for You to come under my roof, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed.
9. "For I, too, am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, `Go!' and he goes, and to another, `Come!' and he comes, and to my slave, `Do this!' and he does it."
10. Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled, and said to those who were following, "Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel.
11. "And I say to you, that many shall come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven;
12. but the sons of the kingdom shall be cast out into the outer darkness; in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
13. And Jesus said to the centurion, "Go your way; let it be done to you as you have believed." And the servant was healed that very hour.
Luke 7:1-10
1. When He had completed all His discourse in the hearing of the people, He went to Capernaum.
2. And a certain centurion's slave, who was highly regarded by him, was sick and about to die.
3. And when he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders asking Him to come and save the life of his slave.
4. And when they had come to Jesus, they earnestly entreated Him, saying, "He is worthy for You to grant this to him;
5. for he loves our nation, and it was he who built us our synagogue."
6. Now Jesus started on His way with them; and when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself further, for I am not worthy for You to come under my roof;
7. for this reason I did not even consider myself worthy to come to You, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed.
8. "For I, too, am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, `Go!' and he goes; and to another, `Come!' and he comes; and to my slave, `Do this!' and he does it."
9. Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled at him, and turned and said to the multitude that was following Him, "I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith."
10. And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
The Expectation
Matt. 7:28-29. The result was that when Jesus had finished these words, the multitudes were amazed at His teaching; 29. for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
Jesus was claiming to be God’s Christ as He quotes Matt. 5:17 "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill. The expectation is over, the time is at hand, and it is now that you have your Redeemer. He didn’t consider Himself as a prophet who said, Hear the word of the Lord;” He was claiming to be the Lord and takes no higher source for His proclamation. This is pretty amazing stuff to be listening to in any age but the first century Jew had a foundation built on the Old Testament expectation of a coming king.
Is. 2:3-4 3. And many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, To the house of the God of Jacob; That He may teach us concerning His ways, And that we may walk in His paths." For the law will go forth from Zion, And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 4. And He will judge between the nations, And will render decisions for many peoples; And they will hammer their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation,
The Jew was looking for world peace, this is what he thought the kingdom of God would be but Jesus failed to teach them what they wanted to hear.
We have heard Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount but are we amazed? We must decide if this material is true or false. But, even more so we can decide to believe it is true and yet reject following its instruction. James 2:19-20 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. 20. But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? Failing to decide is nothing more than delayed rejection that follows the broad road to destruction.
Jesus was claiming to be God’s Christ as He quotes Matt. 5:17 "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill. The expectation is over, the time is at hand, and it is now that you have your Redeemer. He didn’t consider Himself as a prophet who said, Hear the word of the Lord;” He was claiming to be the Lord and takes no higher source for His proclamation. This is pretty amazing stuff to be listening to in any age but the first century Jew had a foundation built on the Old Testament expectation of a coming king.
Is. 2:3-4 3. And many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, To the house of the God of Jacob; That He may teach us concerning His ways, And that we may walk in His paths." For the law will go forth from Zion, And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 4. And He will judge between the nations, And will render decisions for many peoples; And they will hammer their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation,
The Jew was looking for world peace, this is what he thought the kingdom of God would be but Jesus failed to teach them what they wanted to hear.
We have heard Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount but are we amazed? We must decide if this material is true or false. But, even more so we can decide to believe it is true and yet reject following its instruction. James 2:19-20 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. 20. But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? Failing to decide is nothing more than delayed rejection that follows the broad road to destruction.
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Rampant Megalomania?
Matt. 7:28-29. The result was that when Jesus had finished these words, the multitudes were amazed at His teaching; 29. for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
Jesus was different He didn’t quote rabbi so and so but plainly stated, “I say to you.” After He is finished He gives the parable of the two builders and stated that fools and the wise are identified by their adherence of what He has said. John Stott writes, “We cannot escape the implication of all this. The claims of Jesus were put forward so naturally, modestly and indirectly that many people never even notice them. But they are there; we cannot ignore them and still retain our integrity. Either they are true or Jesus is suffering from what C.S. Lewis called “rampant megalomania.” Can it be seriously maintained, however, that the lofty ethics of the Sermon on the Mount are products of a deranged mind? It requires a high degree of cynicism to reach that conclusion.”
Jesus taught as one having authority – exousia – as one at liberty with his jurisdiction. This sermon taught a higher futility in being able to comply than that of the Ten Commandments. This was to show exactly the facts that He was God and was proclaiming this even in His condescension of manhood. In His words, “The kingdom of God is like,” He gives us insight to what He knows about God’s kingdom. This is unfamiliar and amazing stuff to hear as opposed to the traditional dry and dusty orthodoxy of the scribes quoting other men.
Jesus was different He didn’t quote rabbi so and so but plainly stated, “I say to you.” After He is finished He gives the parable of the two builders and stated that fools and the wise are identified by their adherence of what He has said. John Stott writes, “We cannot escape the implication of all this. The claims of Jesus were put forward so naturally, modestly and indirectly that many people never even notice them. But they are there; we cannot ignore them and still retain our integrity. Either they are true or Jesus is suffering from what C.S. Lewis called “rampant megalomania.” Can it be seriously maintained, however, that the lofty ethics of the Sermon on the Mount are products of a deranged mind? It requires a high degree of cynicism to reach that conclusion.”
Jesus taught as one having authority – exousia – as one at liberty with his jurisdiction. This sermon taught a higher futility in being able to comply than that of the Ten Commandments. This was to show exactly the facts that He was God and was proclaiming this even in His condescension of manhood. In His words, “The kingdom of God is like,” He gives us insight to what He knows about God’s kingdom. This is unfamiliar and amazing stuff to hear as opposed to the traditional dry and dusty orthodoxy of the scribes quoting other men.
Monday, February 13, 2006
Edicts and Mandates
Matt. 7:28-29. The result was that when Jesus had finished these words, the multitudes were amazed at His teaching; 29. for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
The silence is deafening, the preaching is through, and now one’s mind is left to determine the merit of the preacher and His doctrine. A comparison is made with the familiar and stark contrast is unmistakable. The result was that when Jesus had finished His words, or sermon, the multitudes listening in were amazed at His teaching. Amazed is – ekplesso – ek – out of and plesso – to strike. This crowd was stricken out of their minds by who this guy claims to be and what He is teaching.
This is very strange stuff because moral law and religion was dictated from the writings about the scriptures in recordings and explanations copied down by their scribes. The rabbis and scribes would teach from these recorded copies verbatim and here is Jesus, in contrast, teaching not from the Talmud or Mishnah but He was teaching them as one having authority. The familiar doctrine contained sayings about Mosaic or Levitical law that was quoted by some named former scribe or rabbi. The pure truth of scripture was passed down for the commentary of these prominent writers. We see this similarly as we view courts of law where previous cases are cited to rule on the legality of similar situations. It all becomes very arbitrary and convoluted. This kind of teaching was successful in insulating the children from a loving parent who laid down His law for their protection. The love demonstrated by the law became so clouded and opaque that the chosen people could no longer see who chose them. A wall was constructed by the scribes using the bricks of edicts and mandates for the purpose of making a new god of philosophy.
The silence is deafening, the preaching is through, and now one’s mind is left to determine the merit of the preacher and His doctrine. A comparison is made with the familiar and stark contrast is unmistakable. The result was that when Jesus had finished His words, or sermon, the multitudes listening in were amazed at His teaching. Amazed is – ekplesso – ek – out of and plesso – to strike. This crowd was stricken out of their minds by who this guy claims to be and what He is teaching.
This is very strange stuff because moral law and religion was dictated from the writings about the scriptures in recordings and explanations copied down by their scribes. The rabbis and scribes would teach from these recorded copies verbatim and here is Jesus, in contrast, teaching not from the Talmud or Mishnah but He was teaching them as one having authority. The familiar doctrine contained sayings about Mosaic or Levitical law that was quoted by some named former scribe or rabbi. The pure truth of scripture was passed down for the commentary of these prominent writers. We see this similarly as we view courts of law where previous cases are cited to rule on the legality of similar situations. It all becomes very arbitrary and convoluted. This kind of teaching was successful in insulating the children from a loving parent who laid down His law for their protection. The love demonstrated by the law became so clouded and opaque that the chosen people could no longer see who chose them. A wall was constructed by the scribes using the bricks of edicts and mandates for the purpose of making a new god of philosophy.
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Hear Ye?
Matt. 7:
24."Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock.
25. "And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded upon the rock. 26. "And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not act upon them, will be like a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand.
27. "And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and it fell, and great was its fall."
Luke 6:
47. "Everyone who comes to Me, and hears My words, and acts upon them, I will show you whom he is like:
48. he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation upon the rock; and when a flood rose, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.
49. "But the one who has heard, and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a house upon the ground without any foundation; and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great."
The contrast we are drawing is between the Christian and the pseudo-Christian by the analogy of two builders and two houses. Externally they all pretty much look the same. These guys want to go to the same local church so they build in the same locale. They are interested in the same activities and want to be part of the church family. The difference comes from the motives of these two people. One desires discipline and purity and the other is not interested in holiness but finds it beneficial be around those who do take sin seriously. After all, doesn’t everyone want their kids in a “Christian daycare”? The church has a lot of similarities as an adult daycare for those desirable activities one may choose to attend. The kids can be dropped off in the nursery and the adults can hear a preacher sooth their conscience and feel good about how they spent their Sunday morning. The wise man does not go to hear a preacher but the Word of God or he will go somewhere that he can.
Herein lies the tragedy; one is safe in his faith and the other has false hope. The river will eventually flow and the true test will reveal the one with a foundation built on Jesus’ words and the other who has no foundation to resist the coming difficulties. C.H Spurgeon said, “I dread that any man should perish without religion, but I dread far more that any man should perish with it, finding his faith to be false after all.” He then admonishes the church, “It will be a sad thing to breed hypocrites when we are looking for converts… I therefore warn you against any peace except that which comes from doing that which Jesus commands, or in other words, against any confidence except that which rests in Jesus only, and is attended with repentance, faith, and a life of obedience to your Lord.”
1Cor. 3:11 For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 2Tim. 2:19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord abstain from wickedness."
What sort of foundation is your house built upon?
24."Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock.
25. "And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded upon the rock. 26. "And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not act upon them, will be like a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand.
27. "And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and it fell, and great was its fall."
Luke 6:
47. "Everyone who comes to Me, and hears My words, and acts upon them, I will show you whom he is like:
48. he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation upon the rock; and when a flood rose, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.
49. "But the one who has heard, and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a house upon the ground without any foundation; and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great."
The contrast we are drawing is between the Christian and the pseudo-Christian by the analogy of two builders and two houses. Externally they all pretty much look the same. These guys want to go to the same local church so they build in the same locale. They are interested in the same activities and want to be part of the church family. The difference comes from the motives of these two people. One desires discipline and purity and the other is not interested in holiness but finds it beneficial be around those who do take sin seriously. After all, doesn’t everyone want their kids in a “Christian daycare”? The church has a lot of similarities as an adult daycare for those desirable activities one may choose to attend. The kids can be dropped off in the nursery and the adults can hear a preacher sooth their conscience and feel good about how they spent their Sunday morning. The wise man does not go to hear a preacher but the Word of God or he will go somewhere that he can.
Herein lies the tragedy; one is safe in his faith and the other has false hope. The river will eventually flow and the true test will reveal the one with a foundation built on Jesus’ words and the other who has no foundation to resist the coming difficulties. C.H Spurgeon said, “I dread that any man should perish without religion, but I dread far more that any man should perish with it, finding his faith to be false after all.” He then admonishes the church, “It will be a sad thing to breed hypocrites when we are looking for converts… I therefore warn you against any peace except that which comes from doing that which Jesus commands, or in other words, against any confidence except that which rests in Jesus only, and is attended with repentance, faith, and a life of obedience to your Lord.”
1Cor. 3:11 For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 2Tim. 2:19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord abstain from wickedness."
What sort of foundation is your house built upon?
