14 Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, “And what shall we do?”
So he said to them, “Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.” (Luke 3:14)
Thoughts: The Romans invaded during Pompeii's reign about 63 B.C. as a response for help from the Maccabees. They were known for their discipline and brutality. Yet there were some good ones like the centurion who asked Jesus to heal his servant. Or another centurion that Peter met with to free the religious food.
You can bet that if Romans were doing Herod's bidding of killing the babies they would flinch. Yet the Romans were continually nervous about losing control- as Herod was.
Yesterday we celebrated the life of Nelson Mandela. He was truly a great man. But he was a man who was changed. Desmond Tutu said of him, "Before Nelson Mandela was arrested he was an angry young man who founded the ANC's military wing. When he was released he surprised everyone for he was talking about reconciliation and forgiveness rather than revenge." We cannot underestimate the power of God and prayer that changed South Africa from a segregated nation to an open one. Neither can we do that for America. Obama rightly said, "He showed us how to free not just the prisoner but the jailer as well." The church gave up its theology of segregation and influenced the nation to do so as well. The soldiers lost their will to fight for wrong. The Roman soldiers in Jesus day did some dastardly horrible deeds- killing infants, civilians and others. Yet Jesus reached out to the centurion.
You can bet that if Romans were doing Herod's bidding of killing the babies they would flinch. Yet the Romans were continually nervous about losing control- as Herod was.
Yesterday we celebrated the life of Nelson Mandela. He was truly a great man. But he was a man who was changed. Desmond Tutu said of him, "Before Nelson Mandela was arrested he was an angry young man who founded the ANC's military wing. When he was released he surprised everyone for he was talking about reconciliation and forgiveness rather than revenge." We cannot underestimate the power of God and prayer that changed South Africa from a segregated nation to an open one. Neither can we do that for America. Obama rightly said, "He showed us how to free not just the prisoner but the jailer as well." The church gave up its theology of segregation and influenced the nation to do so as well. The soldiers lost their will to fight for wrong. The Roman soldiers in Jesus day did some dastardly horrible deeds- killing infants, civilians and others. Yet Jesus reached out to the centurion.
Prayer: Help me Lord, to know when you give the command it is done. Help me to trust in you and be a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
No comments:
Post a Comment