Monday, July 17, 2006

Some Yield Others Rebel

As Jesus travels to Capernaum He is met by a Roman Centurion who is greatly concerned about the health of his servant. The Centurion’s faith is such that he believes that all Jesus has to do is say the word and his servant will be healed.  He is a humble man in authority over his soldiers and his slaves. Luke’s account of the encounter speaks of Jewish Elders speaking for the “worthiness” of this man for Jesus to heal his servant, and that he had even built their synagogue for them.

 

I am amazed, as Jesus was, at his faith. God had been at work in this soldier’s life for a while, and it shows. This story makes me wonder about the many that I come in contact with on a day to day basis and how God is trying to touch them. Some yield while others rebel, but I am confident He is at work in each and everyone.

 

Another amazing dimension to this story is found later in Matthew 11:23. What we learn there is not about the soldier, but the religious folks that surrounded him. Listen to Jesus, “And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day." Out of the same city comes a humble faith filled gentile soldier, and a stiff necked group of religious folks more hard headed than Sodom.  They saw the same God in the flesh, and had completely different reactions.

The choice is also ours – some yield while others rebel, but never doubt, He is at work trying to reach us all.

Posted by at 15:20:24 | Permanent Link | Comments (5) |
Comments
1 - The power of God working in the Roman Centurion is proof that ANYONE can be reached by God, and brought to faith in His Son.

Of all the people in Capernaum, this Centurian seems the most unlikely prospect to believe in Jesus.

I agree with you, He is at work in everyone, and sometimes if we say the right thing, or treat a person in a loving manner....who knows! (Comment this)

Written by: larry mouser at 2006/07/17 - 18:02:03
2 - Lee, this made me think of something completely off the subject. Truth is both objective and subjective. Christ was truth--objectively speaking. But, as you pointed out, people saw that objective reality differently; that is, what they saw was framed by their subjective point of view. Pain works the same way. Nothing is so objective as a tooth ache. However, pain crushes some and strengthens others. We react subjectively to suffering. This helps me make some sense out of our various interpretations of scripture. Sure it's objective. But it's also, at the same time, always subjective. There are many among us who only embrace the objective nature of truth, seek to know truth objectively, and then refuse to see how anyone in their right mind could see things differently. It's the root of much judmentalism. Objective and subjective truth flow right out of ultimate reality--the Trinity. Even when there was only those three, there was objectivity and subjectivity. Anyway, this is already long, and boring, and not on the subject, so let me just say that your statements about differing faiths, also works as a good explanation for extremes (Atheist and believer), but also the shades in between. All truth is both subjective and objective, and if I can accept that in humility, I'll probably stop arguing with people over every nuance of scriptural interpretation. And maybe the way we get more of the truth into our subjective worlds is by faith and grace, not raw intellect. (Comment this)

Written by: ben overby at 2006/07/17 - 21:28:53
3 - Well... I think this is the first time I've commented here in your new blog home. It looks great, Lee, really. But all the technological changes still can't compare to the quality of conversations you author on your blog. I love to hear the word from you and to be challenged by your thoughts...

I am eager to yield today... (Comment this)

Written by: Angie at 2006/07/18 - 12:41:56
4 - Lee I like your new pad. Looks good. I peek in fairly often. If you are ever in my neighborhood stop by my blog at http://stoned-campbelldisciple.blogspot.com/

We hosted John Clayton late last year and it was a great success.

Shalom,
Bobby Valentine (Comment this)

Written by: Bobby Valentine at 2006/07/19 - 07:41:15
5 - Welcome all to my new blog and as always thanks for your comments. They are always so on target. (Comment this)

Written by: Lee Hodges at 2006/07/19 - 11:17:42
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