Revolting

When the tenants saw him, they said to themselves, “This is the heir. Let us kill him, so that the inheritance may be ours.” Matthew 21:15 ESV1

Read Matthew 21:33-46, Mark 12:1-12 & Luke 20:9-19

Revolutions are as old as history itself but no two such revolts are exactly the same. Some rebellions throughout human existence have brought about small changes; others have caused a complete overhaul of the previous administration. There is no set length of time it takes to complete a social revolution, nor is there a determiner of any one’s lasting influence. Though revolts often occur due to a perceived inadequacy or abuse of power, they actually happen for a variety of reasons. Many uprisings are violent, while other spirited protests are largely peaceful. But what all revolutions have in common is that they create some kind of change. A story, told by Jesus, illustrates the significant change which occurred as a result of the most fundamental revolt of all time.

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An Honorable Character

“Go; let it be done be done for you as you have believed.” Matthew 8:13 ESV1

Read Matthew 8:5-13 & Luke 7:2-10

Before Jesus left Capernaum, He performed one more healing. The account of this healing stands out from some previous healings in the fact that the focus is not on the one being healed but the one asking for the healing. The one asking for the healing here was a Roman centurion, and he was asking for the healing of his young servant who was “sick of the palsy, grievously tormented” (Matthew 8:6 KJV2). From this account, what can we discover about this Roman centurion and surprisingly virtuous person?

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