Monday: The Roman and the Messiah
There’s a good reason the book of Daniel spends a lot of time dealing with Rome (see Dan. 7:7-8, Dan. 7:19-21, Dan. 8:9-12, Dan. 8:23-25). And that’s because of its great power, which was prevalent also at the time of Christ. Nevertheless, a Roman officer, not only a symbol of the power of Rome but an expression of that power, comes to Jesus.
Image © Jeff Preston from GoodSalt.com
The man is helpless in the face of the common trials and tragedies that beset us all. What a lesson about the limits of what earthly powers can do. The greatest and most influential leaders, the richest men and women, stand helpless against many of the common struggles of life. Truly, without divine help, what hope do any of us have?
Read Matthew 8:5-13. What important truths about faith and what it means to have faith are revealed in this story? What should it say to us, as Seventh-day Adventists, given the privileges we have?
A centurion was a Roman military officer who generally oversaw anywhere from 80 to 100 soldiers. Serving in the army for about twenty years, he was not permitted to have a legal family. Thus, the centurion’s servant might have been his only real family.
In that culture, the only person more despised than a Gentile like this would have been a leper; so, this officer perhaps assumes that Jesus wouldn’t want to enter his home, even though Jesus says that He will. By asking just for the Word of Jesus, not His actual presence, the centurion demonstrates great faith that speaks to us today: Jesus’ Word is as powerful as His touch. To this centurion, for Jesus to heal someone wasn’t a difficult thing. It was akin to a military officer giving orders to a soldier, which happened all the time.
Also, look at what Jesus says in Matthew 8:11-12. What a stern warning to those who have been given great privileges. We, as Seventh-day Adventists, also are greatly privileged, and should take heed.
| What daily practices and choices do you make? More important, how do these choices impact your faith? What can you do to make choices that will cause your faith to grow? |
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monday lesson was truly a heart breaking lesson...i was able to see my weaknessess, is that my faith is founded on the things i see not of something that is about to happen...our faith in Jesus is a kind of invisible one, not visible...God wants us to believe him in a sensible way.
May be the question here would be; what does it mean to have great faith? From this perspective, I see something like "Knowing that in simplicity God (Jesus) can accomplish all". And this simplicity is in the way we look at scenarios where we are under test. Times when it is possible to think otherwise about healing through the word of Christ (touch-less healing)
Sure i really do not know the choices to make that will help my faith to grow. Each time I make a Choice it just brings tears in my eyes.
I have the same problem, where I do what I told myself I wouldn't do again:-( I found the same thing in the bible - Romans 7:14-25. Luckily Jesus has saved us from ourselves already, but it doesn't help with decision making... I bet if we surround ourselves with what is good and right, we may start to reflect that goodness in our lives through the decisions we make?
I feel I'm surrounding myself with God's influence and goodness, but the world and sin still sneaks through, making me dirty again. I don't know if we can ever be truly clean while we are here on earth - but we can sure try:-)
Jewel we do not need to just try. Jesus promises He will. 1John 1:9
I think our choice would be at least to read and study the word of God and meditate on it though out the day, that will help us get closer to God.
Atuhura Susan, Jesus is very familiar with your pain; He knows all about making difficult choices. (Luke 22:40-44) For me, there is really only one choice: to continually say, "Yes" to the Holy Spirit, no matter the cost to myself. Once you have decided this, you can claim all the promises of God, such as, "And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee saying, 'This is the way, walk ye in it,' when ye turn to the right hand and when ye turn to the left." Isa. 30:21 Believe that it is true because God cannot lie.
I know this might sound simplistic, but finding peace does not need to be anymore complex than this. Atuhura Susan, I am praying for you that you will find God's peace that passes all understanding. (Phil. 4:7) He is love. (1 John 4:8)
A lot is expected of us as seventh-day! The more you are exposed to the truth the stronger your faith should be in the Lord.
As adventist, i have learned that our faith is not just to see physical Jesus before believing His word. His mighty word is enought to carry us through this world.
For many Christians the faith experience is something abstract until we face real difficult, even life and death situations or decisions. We can tell people about our faith all we want but if we're not tested and tried and proven faithful, it's just talk. Real faith means trusting God even when we can't trace His hand and willingness to follow Him wherever He leads. Sometimes like the seeds that fell on stony ground, we start out joyfully but when trouble and persecution come we quickly give up our faith, because our roots are not deep in Christ.
Some of us feel very privileged to belong to certain denominations or churches like the scribes and pharisees who thought they were it. As we saw, Jesus sternly rebuked them all (all of Israel) for their gross lack of faith, especially in light of the great demonstration of faith by the gentile Roman Centurion. After all, He, their Messiah was right in front of them and they didn't know it because of UNBELIEF. The SDA church has a rich history and legacy of special messages, not to be hidden as treasure and locked away, but to share with the whole world in preparation for Christ's imminent return. Membership in the church does not qualify anyone for heaven but rather what we do with the truths that have been entrusted to us, both in service to God and to our fellow men. Every man has to do his OWN believing and "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Phil. 2:12).
Many who are now in several different churches, will respond when God calls them out to come into His fold "and there shall be one fold and one Shepherd" (John 10:16).
My faith tends to waver almost daily it seems. I know God is able but when I cant see the end of the road I second guess my path. He will be a light unto our path,I understand and believe this..but is the path that I follow mines or His? I want to walk upright before Him. If only I could feel (even though we are not to be lead by feelings)that small seed of faith within me start to grow that alone would be a breakthrough!I am so thankful to God that He remains faithful even when we are not!Thank you Jesus for caring and loving us all the way you do.
The amazing thing about the "faith factor" is that the Holy Spirit is who guides/or encourages us to trust God. Of ourselves we are helpless; amidst the cluttering sounds of our daily activities, we must make the choice to submit to the still soft voice of Him who speaks.
The Roman & The Messiah – Here we are faced with two sides. One with the power and authority from this earth (Matthew 7:9) and Jesus who has ALL the authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18).The Centurion was a man of honour but he had a need that even his power and authority could not do anything about it. Apart from God we cannot do anything (John 15:5).Yes we might be holding high positions on this earth, which is good but without the Messiah in our lives it does not profit us anything. That power and authority on this earth has got limitations. We need to have the one who Has ALL the power and authority in our lives. Two things I respect about this Centurion man, are that, he has a good heart. It was not him who was sick but his servant and he was concerned about his well-being. Also he understood the power of the spoken Word of authority. ‘But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.’ He had great faith in God and his servant was healed that same hour.
I have been undergoing a very difficult time financially,but i can testify God has been faithful for i have never slept without a meal.never the less my brothers and sisters,please pray for me and my family as my husband and i still struggle to find jobs. Ipersonally believe GOD always comes through for us when we call on him and this weeks lesson is deeply helping me to have even more faith in him
Amen, remember that it Is in the darkest hour that the brightest stars are visible, stand firm in Christ because there might be a spiritual purpose He wants to accomplish in You. God help you
Overcoming temptation/sin is related to grace and enmity against sin.
What decisions and behaviors promote that enmity and grace resource?
If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” Gen 4:7
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Cor 10:5
Take an anonymous survey in your local church to see what percentage are HAPPY with their church experience.
Notice that Jesus said.."blessed" (happy) several times.. in the beginning of the sermon on the mount.
I really do not know whether i have faith in me or not, but something in me says that use that little faith of yours. What do i have to do to have faith?
Being a converted one.... I can feel the the unconditional love of God to the people specially to us sinners,that He was able to gave up everything even His own life just to gain our love and to give us eternal life that we even doesn't deserve.Wooowwww... what a wonderfull Father He is.
It doesn't matter for Him if we are adventist or not 4 as long as we will come to Him and ask His 4giveness,He will 4give and accept us with all Happiness in His heart,like the father in the parable of a prodigal son.
Like the roman centurion who came to Jesus,He did not tell that he is humbling himself,but the moment he went to Jesus it already shows humility,accepting that it is beyond his human capability and asking God's help.
Were very lucky to know the truth and that we are the chosen people of God,but we should not be overwhelmed w/that,we have to do also our own part.its not enough to say i have faith but it should be seen.we have to submit ourselves first,before God will heal us for as long as freedom to choose is concern.
Ba Magaret chishimba,
I pray that God almighty will see you through and bless you.
Have gone thru such most of my life, God is alwys looking after his children.
Try ask God to make you employer and not to be employed.
God bless
I have a superficial understanding of faith(Heb. 11:1) I guess. I'm starting to believe that I really dont know what is faith. In the past I've had some experience but I dont know anymore. For the last 3yrs are more I've been praying and asking God for a salary increase or a better paying job. I've sent out numerous applications and done at least 3 interviews. Two of them I was happy I wasnt chosen because I realized I lack the experience, even though I'm academically qualified. I pour out my heart and situation to God in fasting and prayer but my circumstances havent changed. I questioned God how is it He can allow the sinners I interact with daily to be gaining more financially and here I am trying to get a home for myself, help those in need and I'm left behind? I reasoned that I asked, I seek and I prayed but nothing forthcoming. I'm always requested to work in other areas, told I'm dedicated and committed but I do not get the salary I deserved. I covered for 3 months in an area and when it was time for me to get my overtime, I was told no money, yet they paid the other person. I questioned God and my faith in Him. I reasoned if ive sinned, the others who has no regards for Him, are financially in a better position and also take my little, how can He show such favor to them? I do not understand, please help me grasp what really is faith.
Dear Nikky, I believe you can get some idea of what faith is by reading the story of Job. He said, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him." Job 13:5
Faith in God is trusting God. It is not a ticket to get what we want.
Christ said that the Father would give us what we ask in His Name. I can't say it better than Ellen White who said,
Consider that Jesus did not ask for things for Himself. He never worked a miracle in His own behalf. His whole life was poured out for others. Paul refers to the "mind of Jesus" in Phil 2:5-8.
The quotation from Steps to Christ is part of a wonderful chapter on Prayer, and I highly recommend that you read all of it. For that matter, I recommend that you read the whole book if you want to understand what it means to be a Christian and to have faith. You can read it for free online, or you can get your own copy at Amazon.com.
Recognizing that you don't know what faith is is an excellent beginning. When you recognize your lack, you are where God can teach you. I believe that a recognition of our need is what it means to be "poor in spirit." See Matthew 5:3
Please be assured that God loves you and understands what you need better than you understand yourself. He wants to draw you close to Him. If He gave you what you wanted, you might be too satisfied to cry out after Him. There's nothing better than knowing Christ personally. He will give you the desires of your heart because your desires will match His when you really know Him.