The one in authority has only to give the command for the task to be accomplished.
Jesus, referring to himself as the prophetic Son of Man, claimed to have authority over spiritual sickness and human sickness. He demonstrated this authority when the paralytic’s sins were not only forgiven but when the man was given the ability to walk again. (Luke 5:24-26)
In this passage, the centurion trusted Jesus’ word and position of divine authority to command his servant’s healing. As believed, the servant was healed.
How often do I “hope” that God will meet the need? How often do I “know” that through the struggle, He will see me through? How often is my faith in the ONE who holds all authority?
The centurion’s great faith is what Jesus marveled at. It wasn’t that a Roman would choose to embrace the Messiah (a Jewish concept), but that this man knew what authority meant and humbled himself under Jesus, the king of the Jews.
I’ve struggled over the past two weeks with the loss of something I valued. In a sense, I’ve struggled with the thought of whether or not my “usefulness” has passed me by. The danger is in societal meanings where being “useful” means being “worthwhile”.
God is helping me see it differently. It is not my “usefulness” that makes me valuable or worth spending time with (like society’s value system). It is my relationship with God.
Certainly, I want to keep growing as an individual and doing the things that my family needs. On the other hand, I can also accept the fact that without any “service”, I am still worthwhile. Just as the unborn child is worthwhile along with the elderly patient who may sit alone in a long term care home. In essence, being human makes us all important. God’s creation is all worthwhile.
Praying in faith means understanding who holds the spiritual authority over tangible objects/relationships. It is not society’s wealth or our own cleverness. Authority is held by Jesus Christ, the Lord.
He can heal us spiritually and physically. We don’t understand how the spiritual dimension intersects our limited place in time and space, but we do see the effects of this unknown dimension at work in God’s creation.
Lord, will you say the Word? “Come and Heal” seems too presumptuous as you have all authority. Who am I to even speak my request with the Lord, the One who gives life and life eternal. -Teresa #yetHeinvitesme #Cometome
Luke 7:1-10 (ESV)
7 After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum.2 Now a centurion had a servant[b] who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. 3 When the centurion[c] heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, 5 for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.” 6 And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. 7 Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. 8 For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9 When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.”10 And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well.
Although John the Baptist was imprisoned and ultimately beheaded for “truth-telling”, he lived and died for his calling- that of clearly pointing the way to the Savior.
Jesus, when baptized by John, was affirmed by God himself. The father spoke from heaven identifying Jesus as His son. Not just “a” son but his beloved son.
The Holy Spirit descended on Jesus in the form of a dove. The trinity was fully present in this moment. One being or God, with three persons (the father, son and Holy Spirit) is a mystery called the Holy Trinity. Watch Nabeel Qureshi explain this so well. God’s character of power (omnipotence) and presence (omnipresence), truly knowing everything (omniscience) is why we have a Savior.
John the Baptist never confused his role (to call the people unto repentance) with what some thought of him (is he the Christ?). The Savior’s role was prophesied as the anointed one, Christ or Messiah and was at a much higher level. (John 1:23 ESV) John said, “I am the voice of one shouting in the wilderness, ‘Make straightthe way for the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.”
When our kids were young, I would oftentimes start bedtime prayers with, “Dear Father” and end, saying “in the name of Jesus, your Son and our Savior.” I felt the conversational tone with the Father expressed how grateful we were for the tremendous gift He gave. (John 3:16)
God’s beloved son has became Lord of all by conquering sin’s curse. Death no longer has the same sting (eternal separation).
This is truth-telling at its best. – Teresa #fireburnsupthechaff #winnowingforkgathersin
Luke 3:15-22(ESV)
15 As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ, 16 John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
18 So with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people. 19 But Herod the tetrarch, who had been reproved by him for Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all the evil things that Herod had done, 20 added this to them all, that he locked up John in prison.
21 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son;[c] with you I am well pleased.”[d]Read full chapter
Footnotes
Luke 3:4 Or crying, Prepare in the wilderness the way of the Lord
Luke 3:11 Greek chiton, a long garment worn under the cloak next to the skin
Pilate was instrumental in Christ’s death and burial. As the Roman leader overseeing the rule of the people, Pilate understood the deception (caused by envy) and yet played along with the political process. #arroganceofman #fauxpower
The beatings and scornful remarks that Christ endured were from 600 men, trained in brutality. At the crucifixion site, the centurion who watched Jesus die, testified that Jesus Christ was the Son of God. Who else would have had the ability to endure this treatment, forgive their enemies and still accomplish what he set out to do-to literally pay sin’s penalty for the whole world.
God the Father was instrumental in Christ’s resurrection. He raised him up in power.
(Ephesians 1:1-15 NET, emphasis added) For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you when I remember you in my prayers. 17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you spiritual wisdom and revelation in your growing knowledge of him, 18 – since the eyes of your heart have been enlightened – so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the incomparable greatness of his power toward us who believe, as displayed in the exercise of his immense strength. 20This power he exercised in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms 21 far above every rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And God put all things under Christ’s feet, and he gave him to the church as head over all things.23 Now the church is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
I listened to an “older” recorded clip by Billy Graham Where did God come from? this week asking if we understood how God came into existence. He emphasized that we don’t know but we still place our faith in Him. The Bible urges us to take a step of faith in order to be transferred from death to life. (Romans 6:23)
Changed lives are the biggest witness to the power of Christ (watch Jesus Revolution). It will change your life today! -Teresa #sinsforgiven #relationshipwithGod #authenticpower
Mark 15:1-47 (ESV) emphasis added
Jesus Delivered to Pilate
15 And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. And they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate. 2 And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” 3 And the chief priests accused him of many things. 4 And Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you.” 5 But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.
Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified
6 Now at the feast he used to release for them one prisoner for whom they asked. 7 And among the rebels in prison, who had committed murder in the insurrection, there was a man called Barabbas.8 And the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do as he usually did for them. 9 And he answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” 10 For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead.12 And Pilate again said to them, “Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?”13 And they cried out again, “Crucify him.” 14 And Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.” 15 So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged[a] Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
Jesus Is Mocked
16 And the soldiers led him away inside the palace (that is, the governor’s headquarters),[b] and they called together the whole battalion.[c]17 And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on him. 18 And they began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!”19 And they were striking his head with a reed and spitting on him and kneeling down in homage to him. 20 And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. And they led him out to crucify him.
The Crucifixion
21 And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross.22 And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull). 23 And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. 24 And they crucified him and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take. 25 And it was the third hour[d] when they crucified him. 26 And the inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” 27 And with him they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left.[e]29 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days,30 save yourself, and come down from the cross!”31 So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. 32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also reviled him.
The Death of Jesus
33 And when the sixth hour[f] had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.[g]34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”35 And some of the bystanders hearing it said, “Behold, he is calling Elijah.” 36 And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.” 37 And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last.38 And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. 39 And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he[h]breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son[i] of God!”
40 There were also women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41 When he was in Galilee, they followed him and ministered to him, and there were also many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem.
Jesus Is Buried
42 And when evening had come, since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.44 Pilate was surprised to hear that he should have already died.[j] And summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. 45 And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the corpse to Joseph.46 And Joseph[k] bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. And he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb.47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.Read full chapter
Footnotes
Mark 15:15 A Roman judicial penalty, consisting of a severe beating with a multi-lashed whip containing embedded pieces of bone and metal
God’s analogy of choosing the nation of Israel is as beautiful and nurturing as a sommelier developing their vineyard.
Unfortunately, the word picture ends up with the heartbreaking reality of those running the operation having no respect for the owner’s son (aka God’s Son, Jesus Christ the Lord).
God’s purpose, however, was not thwarted as the good news of the gospel came through the facts of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. More precisely, this good news will restore the nation of Israel to God’s kingdom as well, in His perfect time.
In the meantime, we can rejoice in the opportunity to marvel at God’s tremendous gift to the Gentile world, bringing peace with God to all peoples, tribes, tongues and nations.
Finally, don’t stress over those who try to use hypocrisy to “catch you”. In the end, God’s truth will reign supreme.
When I give my life to Him, He can “redeem” or make good come out of every negative experience.- Teresa #Godunderstands #acquaintedwithgrief #Is53:3
Mark 12:1-17 (ESV)
The Parable of the Tenants
12 And he began to speak to them in parables. “A man planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a pit for the winepress and built a tower, and leased it to tenants and went into another country. 2 When the season came, he sent a servant[a] to the tenants to get from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. 3 And they took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 4 Again he sent to them another servant, and they struck him on the head and treated him shamefully. 5 And he sent another, and him they killed. And so with many others: some they beat, and some they killed.6 He had still one other, a beloved son. Finally he sent him to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’7 But those tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ 8 And they took him and killed him and threw him out of the vineyard. 9 What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others. 10 Have you not read this Scripture:
“‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone;[b] 11 this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?”
12 And they were seeking to arrest him but feared the people, for they perceived that he had told the parable against them. So they left him and went away.
Paying Taxes to Caesar
13 And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians, to trap him in his talk.14 And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about anyone’s opinion. For you are not swayed by appearances,[c] but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?” 15 But, knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius[d] and let me look at it.”16 And they brought one. And he said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to him, “Caesar’s.” 17 Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled at him.
Reconnection 