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Foundations For Our Future #160-#169

Foundations for Our Future (160)

by: The Rev. Dr. Jon Shuler

The First Leper?

Today we see a man afflicted with one of the most horrible of diseases, leprosy, find his way to Jesus. He falls down on his knees before our Lord. (Matthew 8:1,2) In a massive crowd, there would have been no one wanting to be near him. His disease was believed to be such that the man himself must be “unclean” to be so afflicted. The fear of being touched by a leper was a deep one, then and now. No one would willingly touch such a man. But Jesus did. Was he the first leper to be healed?

The man must have known the reports of miracles happening wherever Jesus was. Needless to say, if healing is happening the crowds will come. Many to watch the spectacle, but some out of desperation to be well. It is the most human of desires. And this man reveals the heart of a faithful petitioner: “If you will, you can make me clean.” Do we see what is implied here?

This man is recognizing that there is a mystery being revealed in the ministry of Jesus. The authority of God is with him, and therefore the authority to heal has been given to him. But will it be God’s will that this leper is healed? Today it is so, for this one man, and the joy of it must have been irrepressible. Our Lord touches him, he lays his hands upon his uncleanness, and makes him whole. (Matthew 8:3)

The miracle of healing, when granted, is always a great joy, but the lesson of these verses has a spiritual meaning as well. Jesus wants to heal the sin sick soul.

 

 

Foundations for Our Future (161) 

by: The Rev. Dr. Jon Shuler

Go and Tell the Priest

In the Law of Moses, elaborate instructions were given for handling leprosy, and specific guidance was given if God granted a healing. (see Leviticus 14:1-9) We suppose today that many various diseases of the skin, in an age that did not fully understand infectious disease, were lumped under the heading of “leprosy,” not all of which may have been. But when the real thing strikes, its devastating effects are hard to imagine. We now know that the issue is the loss of nerve sensitivity, not infection. The one afflicted wears away their limbs because they can not feel pain.

The man healed of his leprosy today by Jesus (Matthew 8:3,4) is told to go, and show himself “to the priest,” and there to “offer the gift that Moses commanded.” The purpose of the law was to thank God for the gift of healing. It was not for the benefit of the priest, but to acknowledge with gratitude the goodness of God. It was the duty of the priest to “make atonement for him.” (Leviticus 14:21,31) The deepest outcome of a physical healing was to be the spiritual restoration of a man’s relationship with God.

There is one more thing to notice today. The instruction given to the man was said by Jesus to be for a “proof” to the priests. (Matthew 8:4) Is this a hint of the rising debate that was emerging among leaders? “Who is this rabbi from Galilee?”

 

Foundations for Our Future (162) 

by: The Rev. Dr. Jon Shuler

Going Home

Jesus lived in Capernaum, a city by the Sea of Galilee, and Matthew tells us he returned there (Matthew 8:5) after a season of ministry that had included great crowds. It is not hard to imagine that he wanted a rest, indeed that he probably needed one. Could the reason he did not want the leper to tell anyone about his healing (Matthew 8:4) was that he wanted relief from the crowds?  We see repeatedly in our Lord’s life that he sought times of rest and retreat, and his example should be a lesson to us. But as so often, someone in need finds him, and today it is a Roman centurion.

It is easy to forget that the land of Israel was under the occupying power of Rome, and that the presence of soldiers, assigned to keep law and order, was everywhere. Of all those charged with this duty, the role of the centurion was foremost in importance. He was responsible for up to one hundred soldiers, and his authority was very great. That such a man came to Jesus is revealing. He has heard of our Lord, and he recognizes his goodness and compassionate mercy. Not only that, but he would seem to have begun to believe that he was sent by God.

Those of us who are a part of the household of faith do well to recognize in this story a central truth of the life and ministry of Jesus. He came for all people. He was sent to bring good news to every tribe and nation.

 

 

Foundations for Our Future (163) 

by: The Rev. Dr. Jon Shuler

Wounded Warrior?

I have been drawn to the New Testament stories about centurions for some time now. Perhaps because of my brief four years in the military so long ago. Centurions were warriors, and they were the absolute backbone of the Roman legions. In warfare they had to be merciless. Yet today we see a centurion deeply concerned for the well being of his servant. Doubtless this servant had been with the centurion for many years, and perhaps many battles. Now he is “suffering terribly” and his master comes to Jesus to ask for help. (Matthew 8:5-7)

How did this hardened soldier come to such a moment as this? I think one answer alone can be confidently given. He himself has suffered. He has known the pain and agony of being unwell in body, and it has tempered his warrior spirit. He has grown to realize that there is more to life than winning a battle. The fulness of life, as it is intended to be lived, involves wholeness of body and soul. The centurion’s soul has been softened, and faith has begun to be born in him.

We will never know how he heard about Jesus, but he did. And when he heard of his goodness and mercy he thought of his suffering servant. He wanted him to be well, and he had the faith to seek for Jesus on behalf of him.

There is a wonderful lesson here. We are to bring those we love, and their needs, to the only one who can heal the body and the soul.

 

 

Foundations for Our Future (164)

by: The Rev. Dr. Jon Shuler

I Will Come

Sometimes our prayers involve a clear ask, but other times we pour out our hearts “with groanings too deep for words.” (Romans 8:26) The centurion who has come to Jesus “appealing” for his servant does not have to say much. He only tells the Lord about his servant, and Jesus says: “I will come and heal him.” (Matthew 8:7) Can you imagine the joy in the centurion’s heart?

It seems to me implicit in the text that Jesus saw the true compassion in the centurion. He recognized the unselfish nature of his request. He saw that he had come to him in true faith. He was demonstrating the kind of love that God shows for his children. An unconditional love that cares for the well being of the beloved, ahead of the well being of the self. And the Lord grants his unspoken request.

Sometimes our prayers are anything but the type of prayer the centurion shows. We are totally preoccupied with ourselves, and can see nothing but the outcome we desire for our own well being. Our trust that God knows best is replaced with our arrogant assumption that we know best. We pile up words in prayer thinking that will somehow open the floodgates of heaven. Today we see that humble sincerity and true compassion for others, touches the heart of the Lord.

 

 

Foundations for Our Future (165) 

by: The Rev. Dr. Jon Shuler

Unworthiness

Perhaps the most beloved prayer in the historic liturgy of the Anglican Family is the Prayer of Humble Access. It is modeled directly upon two wonderful New Testament stories of Jesus’ compassion. The response of the centurion to Jesus’ willingness to come with him is one of them. (Matthew 8:8)

The Lord has offered to go with the centurion to the place where his servant lies suffering. Isn’t this what he wanted? It turns out that we again see only the centurion’s concern for his beloved servant. And his awareness of his own unworthiness. As we have imagined before, he is aware of the life he has lived as a warrior, and he cannot imagine a holy man like Jesus coming into his home. “I am not worthy.” He knows his own sinfulness.

To see the lesson in this verse is to see the opening of the heart of the gospel. The centurion has come to the One who is all powerful, all loving, all righteous, and all just. In Christ’s presence he is immediately aware of his failings and failures. Still he knows this is where he must come. It is only here that healing is to be found. He almost certainly fell to his knees.

 

 

Foundations for Our Future (166) 

by: The Rev. Dr. Jon Shuler

Under Authority

Matthew’s gospel has consistently shown us that the mark of faithfulness is not what a person says, but what a person does. True faith always produces faithful behavior. To know the Father’s will and not to obey it is to prove a lack of faith. The believer knows that all authority belongs to God, and to respond to him with a glad and obedient heart is the evidence of faith. We see this playing out so beautifully in the story of the centurion.

The centurion’s authority over those in his charge, in the Roman military order, was absolute. He knew that if he spoke to one of his soldiers it would be done. Without question. Without fail. If he said “go” they would go, and if he said “come” they would come. (Matthew 8:9)

This man also recognized that Jesus of Nazareth was living under the authority of Almighty God. If God spoke, it would be done. And the centurion recognized that Jesus was acting entirely under the authority of the sovereign God of Israel. And so he surrenders the outcome of his request to Jesus with absolute confidence. If it was the Lord Jesus’ will to heal his servant, all that was necessary was for Jesus to say the word.

When we entrust our prayers to the Lord with this man’s confidence, we place ourselves under God’s wonderful authority, and without fear or wavering.

 

 

Foundations for Our Future (167) 

by The Rev. Dr. Jon Shuler

Jesus Marveled

If we say that something marveled us, we are usually saying something very significant.  In the story of the centurion we see our Lord Jesus Christ being “marveled” by the soldiers response to the offer to come with him to the place where his suffering servant lay. (Matthew 8:10) The centurion has demonstrated absolute faith in the Lord, and that of a kind that Jesus says he has never found among God’s own chosen people Israel. What an astonishing moment we are witnessing.

The non Jewish soldier is revealing a faith more honest and true than Jesus has yet seen in those brought up in the family of God. The staggering seriousness of this teaching is impossible to exaggerate. Once more we are seeing that the coming of the Lord Jesus was going to expand into reality the covenant so long ago inaugurated with Abraham. God said that through Abraham’s faith the nations of the earth would be blessed. (Genesis 12:3) This centurion is showing that very faith which saves, and ushers one into the consumation of the kingdom. “Many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham.” (Matthew 8:11)

To see the authority of the Lord Jesus, to recognize his goodness, and to respond to him faithfully is to become welcome at the Great Banquet of the Ages.

 

 

Foundations for Our Future (168) 

by: The Rev. Dr. Jon Shuler

Sons of the Kingdom?

Perhaps nothing is more tragic than facing the outcome of rejecting the offer of the Lord Jesus. The gospel brings unspeakable gladness to those who receive what God offers to those who place their trust in him. Nothing can take the place of the joy that comes from hearing the word of blessing from our heavenly Father. But there is a concomitant sorrow for those who never accept it. As the Lord is finishing his wondrous encounter with the centurion, he utters those terrible words that some “will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 8:12)

The scripture before us makes it unmistakably clear that Jesus is talking about those born into the family of God. He calls them “sons of the kingdom.” That indicates that they were given every opportunity to know of God’s grace and favor extended first to his people Israel. They had heard of the goodness and mercy of God in their history. They had been introduced to the worship and the law given to the children of Abraham. They were without excuse if they turned away, if they did not live by faith.

One of my first theological teachers used to say: “No one comes to the good news until they have heard the bad news.” Those who heard our Lord heard both, and they had to decide which would be their destiny.

 

 

Foundations for Our Future (169) 

by: The Rev. Dr. Jon Shuler

At That Very Moment

The story of the centurion’s faith comes to a conclusion with glorious words. “Go, let it be done for you as you have believed.” (Matthew 8:13) The servant was going to be healed by the will of God made known through his beloved Son Jesus. Even more amazing, it was done “at that very moment.”

Recently I was discussing a key moment in the story of my life, one that took place when I was only seventeen years old. My friend was astonished at the significance of that moment, as he heard the story, when in a few seconds a decision I made set the arc of my entire future. There is no doubt in my mind that God in that very moment set the seal on my destiny, but my friend was unable to imagine such a moment in his own life. I think it may be because he has not yet fully come to saving faith. He is unaware of the sovereign grace of God manifested in those who believe, moment by moment.

To have a prayer answered, instantaneously, as was true in the healing of the centurions servant, is a rare event. But to know the momentous possibilities that are granted to those who walk by faith is not rare. It is the spiritual birthright of all who have given over their lives to the Lord Jesus.