How Low Can You Go (Matthew 8:5-13)
Gary McManus, 03/07/2021Part of the New Life series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
How Low Can You Go?
March 7, 2021 The Third Sunday in Lent
Matthew 8:5-13
The Roman soldiers and their captain, a Centurion.
Roman soldier was present at many important events
in the gospel message.
--John the Baptizer
--one who had faith
--one at the cross, made a confession
--at Jesus’ tomb
Why Roman soldiers in the lands of the Bible?
--secure the borders
--stabilize economy
--stabilize the government
Who were the Roman soldiers?
--locals in local places
--Gentiles
What did the soldiers do (officially)?
--conquer
--build roads
--oversee
--guard
--enforce
How did the Roman soldiers behave?
--badly (Luke 3:14, Matthew 5:41)
--Romans generally had little respect for Jews.
Mathew told us that a Centurion came to Jesus.
--in charge of/led 80-100 men
--The Centurion trained the men.
--The Centurion was responsible for their equipment.
--The Centurion disciplined and punished his men.
Matthew outlined an ODD situation (Matthew 8:5);
“a centurion came to Jesus, asking for help.”
The Centurion asked for help FOR his servant= a house slave.
The Centurion who commanded men could have commanded Jesus.
Jesus responded (Matthew 8:7): “Shall I come and heal him?”
The Centurion stated (Matthew 8:8): “. . .just say the word, (Lord) and my servant will be healed.
The answer is not about the Centurion’s authority or power, it is about Jesus’ authority and power.
Jesus was amazed. (Matthew 8:10)
The Centurion knew and expressed FAITH!
Jesus used this moment to teach that the last shall be first and the first shall be last. (Matthew 20:16)
The Messiah’s great banquet:
(See Matthew 26:29, Luke 14:15, Luke 22:16, Revelation 19:9)
The Centurion humbled himself and sought help for someone else. Can you do that?
How low would you go for someone else?
Shall we ask, can you wear a mask for a stranger?
How humble would you get for someone?
See John 15:13, Romans 5:7 and Philippians 2:5-8.
Can you eat humble pie for someone else’s benefit?
Jesus gave up much more to come save us.
And are you prepared to follow Jesus’ mindset?
Amen.
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