Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Day 283

Galilean Ministry cont.
5. Second Circuit
- Healing of the Centurion's Servant (M-10) -Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10
- Raising of the widow's son (M-11) - Luke 7:11-17
- Jesus discusses various topics
   *John the Baptist commended - Matthew 11:2-15; Luke 7:18-30
   *Wickedness Condemned - Matthew 11:16-19; Luke 7:31-35
   *Cities reproved - Matthew 11:20-24
   *Invitation to find rest in Christ (D-5) - Matthew 11:25-30
- Anointing of Jesus' feet and parable of two debtors (P-1) - Luke 7:36-50
- Second tour of Galilee - Luke 8:1-3
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Centurion's faith and recognition of authority.  He showed a sense of humility as well.  He thought himself not worthy to even speak or see the Lord face to face.


I particularly liked the wording and recognition of authority.  He was a man in authority but knew how to submit to someone who had more authority.


Authority - G1849 - From G1832 (in the sense of ability); privilege, that is, (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence.


This word was used in Matthew 8:9 and Luke 7:8 - numbers fascinate me.


7 = completeness, spiritual, perfection
8 = new birth, new creation, new beginning
9 = fruit of the spirit, divine completeness from the Lord


By the way - the chapter and verse breaks are of men to aid in study.


Widow's son raised...a young man.  :-) My initial interest was Jesus' compassion on a woman.  Without a husband, and now no son, she could be in a position of destitution.  Though the passage indicates many people were with her, and thus possible community support.  In those days, a woman without a man, was in a precarious position.  Especially if the husband had not prepared for his wife's welfare prior to his demise.


Young man - G3495 - From the same as G3494; a youth (under forty).


I had to chuckle...he was considered a man, though obviously under the age of 40 and fell into the category of 'young' man.  I wonder if our society's reverence of the young pushes the bar to the age of 40?


Matthew 11:14 - 'And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.' - Elijah, not bodily raised and manifested as John the Baptist, but with the same fervency of spirit.


The Pharisees and lawyers (scribes) rejected the counsel of God.  They had a head knowledge of Him.  They were well versed and readily able to debate and/or argue the law.  Sadly they had hearts of stone and thus could not receive anything of the Spirit.


Pharisees - G5330 - Of Hebrew origin (compare [H6567]); a separatist, that is, exclusively religious; a Pharisaean, that is, Jewish sectary.


lawyers - G3544 - From G3551; according (or pertaining) to law, that is, legal (ceremonially); as noun, an expert in the (Mosaic) law.


Wisdom is justified of her children - Matthew 11:19 and Luke 7:35 - Matthew Poole's commentary had this tidbit:


"It is a proverbial speech, something like that, Ars non habet inimicum praeter ignorantem, Learning hath no enemies but the ignorant.


His third definition is worth the effort to repeat:  "3. The wise counsel of God, making use of several instruments of several tempers to win these people unto his gospel, will be justified, that is acquitted, defended, praised, adored of those who belong unto God, are are acquainted with his wisdom and counsels."


Father, in HIS divine wisdom uses a variety of people, temperaments, and personalities to spread HIS gospel.  We do need to be worthy fruit inspectors, but not with a Pharisee like attitude or disdain.


Jesus denounces the people of Capernaum for having the living breathing grace filled gospel in their presence and yet continuing in their rejection.  They were admonished that it would be more tolerable for Sidon, Tyre and Sodom in the day of judgment.   I liked Gill and Poole's commentaries on these passages (Matthew 11:22, 24).


All have a moral requirement to hear and heed the gospel, but not all are called.  Which made me ponder, why have You chosen me?  Spared me from the judgment or wrath to come?  Not because of anything I ever was, am or will be, but simply because of Your mercy.


Found this video:

Not the 'typical' music video.  Appears to be a home fellowship of believers.  Simple and sincere.  We should all pause to ask, why have You chosen me?  Does the refrain echo within our spirit, soul and body?


Luke 7:50 - '...Thy faith have saved thee; go in peace.'


Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

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