Monday: The Roman Army Officer
Read Matthew 8:5-13 (see also Luke 7:1-10). What does this story teach us about how even the largest cultural divides can be breached for the sake of the gospel?
In Capernaum a Roman officer of centurion rank (commander of 100 men) sought out Jesus. The Jews resented the occupying Roman army, and many Romans hated the Jews.
Image © Review & Herald Publishing from GoodSalt.com
Despite this vast cultural and political divide, we can see the close relationship here between this Roman and the Jews.
In Luke’s account, he said that the centurion went to the elders of the Jews
(Luke 7:3 NIV) to ask them to bring Jesus. And, fascinatingly enough, they did just that, asking Jesus to come heal the man’s servant. Who were these elders? The texts don’t say, but they seemed to have related to Jesus differently than did some of the other leaders.
Meanwhile, the centurion was obviously a man of faith; his words to Jesus, speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed,
(Matt. 8:8), were an incredible testimony to his belief in Jesus. The centurion did not wait to see whether the Jews themselves would receive the One who claimed to be their Messiah. As the
—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 317.light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world
(John 1:9) had shone upon him, he had, though afar off, discerned the glory of the Son of God.
The centurion understood and respected Jewish religious sensitivities. He knew that according to law a Jew was not allowed to enter a Gentile’s house; so, he requested that Jesus minister from a distance. The servant was healed. The faith of the Gentile centurion was rewarded. Jesus pointed out that the centurion was a prototype of the great day when people from all over the world would join the Jewish patriarchs at the Messianic banquet.
Whatever else one can take from the accounts of this healing, we can see that vast cultural divides were not able to keep the Jews and this Roman apart. What lessons can we take from this about how we must learn to transcend whatever cultural differences we can (in good conscience) in order to reach out to others?
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This week's lesson has a profound statement on cross cultural mission and ministry as well. We must LEARN To be more sensitive, tactful,courteous and humble in trying to befriend prospects of other cultures, religions, denominations and walks/works of life.
1). One of the most factor of our failure as a church is that we or Pastors do not equip members on the sensitivity of cross cultural ministry and mission for first impression of our tact and manners determines the success and failure of our offensive strategies.
2). In Colporteur work I have seen and noticed that prospects (gentiles/heathens/other denominations for Books and Kingdom of Heaven are both friendly and antagonistic, courteous and stubborn, homely and unwelcome, respectable and hostile, well mannered and rude. The key lies with the colporteur or Bible Study worker's attitude in counter to objections and his presentation in the first instance.
3). In most cases of failure is the fault of the bible worker, pastor or mission worker for being to naive to ignore the prospect's culture, religion, laws and norms. When the former ignores these facts he or she is most likely to insult or put off the latter's spirit to receive him and message. So the former must learn and understand the latter's world so to get through into his head, emotions and intelligence without suspicious and malice.
4). Humility and Humbleness is the character for the successful missionary and there is no alternative to this trait. The prospects even the most vulgar ones do have some dignity and respect and when they see these two traits in a missionary the walls of the bias, bigotry, suspicion and hatred is broken and a bridge of acceptance, curious for learning and eagerness to like and love you and your message is constructed.
5). Finally prayer and fasting is the most important ingredient at every meeting with new prospects or a continuing prospect.
My prayer is that we study diligently both our message at hand for presentation and for the Holy Ghost to impress your client for the Kingdom of God.
Noticeably it was the generous centurion who although sensing his unworthiness sought Jesus (Luke 7:3-5). The high ranking soldier had heard from the Jewish elders the reports of Christ’s healing power. He was also likely aware of some of the radical things Jesus taught in sermons and parables. He perceived that the Messiah acted by an authority greater than his own (Matthew 8:8, 9).
Moved by the Holy Spirit and having compassion on his servant this gentile was ready to exercise faith in the Son of God. Jesus marveled that this outsider showed greater faith than all the insiders the Savior had come in contact with (Matthew 8:10).
In a generation where the practice of ‘paid-to-preach’ (Micah 3:11) is prevalent and probably a perk to supplement income, popularity counts for much gain. The demand for flowery or smooth presentations to attract and excite a crowd puts pressure on preachers to deliver ‘feel good’ sermons.
To curry or maintain favor they may have to promise material prosperity or repeatedly assure the audience their haters (whom they hate in return) will be defeated, and thereby elicit rapturous shouts of amen. To preach substance and straight truth may actually hurt the brand and reduce speaking opportunities.
In such an environment the account of the centurion’s faith is encouraging. There are still those outside with whom the Holy Spirit is working, those who will accept the undiluted truth and express genuine faith, even when some insiders thirst for something else.
Brother Aca, I agree that we have to be sensitive when we are reaching out. Where some of us have so many cultures, it's more cross-cultural and cross-denominational.
Paul says " be all things to all men"(1 Corinthians 9: 19-23). This to me says it all. My job is just be the vessel and take the WORD out.
The WORD is such a power that it can "cut" across all divisions (Hebrews 4:12-13). This WORD is the truth and the foundation that we just need to lay across all cultures/denominations.
For the Roman centurion, the WORD was the double-edged sword that pierced him to see the truth and build his faith. He knew that the WORD in flesh was right there. Praise God we have our Lord Jesus Christ as the word, truth and our foundation. As Adventists we must reach out like Jesus did to everyone in the lessons. God bless.
First I don't believe we can ever learn to transcend cultural differences and customs! Love transcends and it is the love of God in us that allows us to love others and when we truly love we don't focus on the outward differences we focus on trying to represent Christ in all that we do and say so that people will be drawn out of darkness into His light!! When you truly love God and others you won't have a problem with any color any ethnicity any custom just like the example given by Jesus in this story
This lesson is indeed a blessing to me this morning , goes to show how much we could accomplish through faith and being humble. But if we just ask of Him who knows all our troubles and woes.. THANK YOU JESUS FOR HEALING ME
I have always been fascinated by this story and the faith of this man who understood not only who Jesus was, but how powerful words are, especially the words of one in authority. Jesus was willing to go to this man's house, regardless of Jewish restrictions, but the words of this man reveals what was in his heart. In effect he was saying, if I am a mere man and my words are so effective that my servants and those under my control obey them without hesitation, what about your words, This tells us that we cannot condemn anyone on the basis of religion, it is their faith and willingness to accept Jesus that are most important. That being said, cultural differences have nothing to do with faith and obedience. Like Jesus we must be willing and ready to respond to the cries for help of others no matter who they are.
Profound lessons;the Roman was a man of compassion and the love he had for his servant, a man of lesser social status, lesser power and authority surely must have moved the heart of Christ to respond speedily and positively. Christ the supreme authority and all powerful ruler shows us that those who are of higher status, power and authority must exhibit love to those below their ranks. Although not stated in the bible I seem to believe that the servant after receiving his healing from Christ, he like the Roman accepted the Saviour.
When we look at fellow human beings from a missionary perspective, we are not to see them in relation to their nationality or status in society. We have to look at them through the eyes ofJesus, as a prospective citizen of heaven. When The Lord comes there will be only two classes of people. Those who have been saved by grace and those who have not. God is calling us to look beyond our differences and reach out to everyone and of course stay close to Him so that we are not swayed and compromise our faith.
All those who accept Jesus automatically become Abraham's seed and heirs according to His promise Gal.3:7. One under God.
Witnessing to people of different nations and faith requires the following principles:
1. We must avoid all forms of prejudice (preconceived opinions and ideas)
2. Adopt the wholistic witnessing style of Christ (avoid being selective, preach to all people)
3. We must be sensitive to the cultural background and understanding of the audience
4. while adapting to the culture of the audience, we should avoid pitfalls of syncretism ( that is burying the message to the belief of the audience to the extent that it loses its meaning. simply put, don't compromise in delivering the truth
5. 4. We should be actuated by love and kindness rather than mere feeling of obligation.
''The people of every country have their own peculiar, distinctive characteristics, and it is necessary that men should be wise in order that they may know how to adapt themselves to the peculiar ideas of the people, and so introduce the truth that they may do them good. They must be able to understand and meet their wants.'' (Testimonies to Ministers pg, 213)
In this story the centurions selfless love for His servant shines through as does his humility despite his elevated position he realizes he is a gentile and unclean and unworthy to have Jesus in his home. Do I approach my Savior with the same love for humanity and humility? Yes I am a child of God but I am also a sinner saved by grace and I must approach the Son of God with a bowed heart.