STUDYING THE BIBLE BY STUDYING CULTURAL MAPS
(Matthew 8: 5-13)
Words selected
Centurion
Authority
Centurion’s servant
Astonished
Faith
Kingdom of heaven
Deserve
Truth
Words with social significance
Centurion
Faith
Kingdom of heaven
SOCIAL ANALYSIS
Description
Centurion: The captain of the 100 (100 Soldiers in Roman Army). Undoubtedly, he was a high ranking officer. From his own description, he was a man with authority and has servants under him. By any standard, he was not just a mere Roman soldier.
Faith: Something we believe in, something we hold together, something we see by our inner eyes, something we are sure of without really seeing it, something we claim we have, something that give us hope and courage to go on.
Kingdom of heaven: Some believe it to be a peaceful state of life here on earth; some believe to be an eschatological celestial kingdom. Despite the differences in ones view, yet everyone will agree to the fact that kingdom of heaven is a peaceful and not much suffering or no suffering at all. Something better than the present corrupted society we have today.
History
Centurion: He was a certainly not a Jews. The main responsibility of the centurion was to train legionaries and failing to do so will amount to punishment. It said that they were usually strict and harsh. It took long time to become a centurion and they have to serve at least 16 (Sixteen) years as soldiers and need many recommendations from their superior. Certainly, life must have been comfortable for them. He can command soldiers and even has an authority to award capital punishment to the erring soldiers.
Faith: The term came from Greek word pistis (pistis) and was referring to allegiance given to Caesar, Roman Emperor. They considered their Emperor as god or at least demi-god. In order to become a Roman citizen, one has to declare their pistis in the Roman Emperor. It was Jesus, who shifts such allegiance to Yahweh.
Kingdom of heaven: This Hebrew concept of the promised Messiah establishing His kingdom, liberating His people from the power of the gentile and enemies. Probably this concept much has born in search of bringing hope for the captive Israelites in the foreign land. The issue that brought forth this kingdom was of the land or territory. We find such interpretation during Crusaders.
Knowledge
Centurion: Centurion was a man with authority. He represents Roman’s authority. But somehow, he got courage to approach Jesus with a concern for servant who was in terrible sickness. No doubt, there much have been a rich Jewish people those days with their servants dying of sickness. Interestingly, no Jews came up with such request for their servants. This particular centurion in Matthew 8 must be the same one mentioned by Dr. Luke in his gospel (Luke 7). Though many Roman officers are harsh, there must have been few Roman officers who were god fearing. Aside from his concern for the servant, we can see his humbleness.
Faith: The faith of Roman officer not only astonished Jesus but also create a challenge for the Jews. The Jews were exclusive by nature and when Jesus sent his 70 disciples for evangelism, there is a record that they were not suppose to entered any other house except Jews. This is an indication of the exclusiveness of the Jewish people.
Kingdom of heaven: Another exclusive view of the Jews and Christian. The Jews hope for the dramatic realization of the kingdom of heaven by the promised Messiah. Some Christians believed and anticipate the eschatological celestial reality to be realize soon when Jesus comes back. Still many Christian believed that Christ’s kingdom of heaven is already with us and we have to bring realization to the people by making all our effort to bring peace, justice and love to the humankind.
MODELS
To bring Centurion’s faith and concern for his servant, his little or big act of humility and Jesus astonishment and acceptance of his faith and further opening the kingdom of heaven for the ‘unlikely people’ is a great lesson. The idea of exclusiveness was defeated here by Jesus. His grace and love flows to everyone. Jesus’ acceptance oh his plea is an acceptance of all nation whosoever come to him will receive it.
WHAT RELEVANT TEACHING OR CHALLENGE DOES MY READING OFFER?
The people in power are usually individualistic and self-centered or selfish. The story is a direct confrontation to our social reality today. While, we could hardly find any officers or “public servants” whom we have elected come when are in need. In the present context, the story seems to glorify our officers, especially politicians in particular. However, some politicians do as this centurion did for his servant. Now, the question we need to us ourselves is ‘are we have enough faith to have concern even for others who are less fortunate like centurion’s faith that took him to Jesus?
Words selected
Centurion
Authority
Centurion’s servant
Astonished
Faith
Kingdom of heaven
Deserve
Truth
Words with social significance
Centurion
Faith
Kingdom of heaven
SOCIAL ANALYSIS
Description
Centurion: The captain of the 100 (100 Soldiers in Roman Army). Undoubtedly, he was a high ranking officer. From his own description, he was a man with authority and has servants under him. By any standard, he was not just a mere Roman soldier.
Faith: Something we believe in, something we hold together, something we see by our inner eyes, something we are sure of without really seeing it, something we claim we have, something that give us hope and courage to go on.
Kingdom of heaven: Some believe it to be a peaceful state of life here on earth; some believe to be an eschatological celestial kingdom. Despite the differences in ones view, yet everyone will agree to the fact that kingdom of heaven is a peaceful and not much suffering or no suffering at all. Something better than the present corrupted society we have today.
History
Centurion: He was a certainly not a Jews. The main responsibility of the centurion was to train legionaries and failing to do so will amount to punishment. It said that they were usually strict and harsh. It took long time to become a centurion and they have to serve at least 16 (Sixteen) years as soldiers and need many recommendations from their superior. Certainly, life must have been comfortable for them. He can command soldiers and even has an authority to award capital punishment to the erring soldiers.
Faith: The term came from Greek word pistis (pistis) and was referring to allegiance given to Caesar, Roman Emperor. They considered their Emperor as god or at least demi-god. In order to become a Roman citizen, one has to declare their pistis in the Roman Emperor. It was Jesus, who shifts such allegiance to Yahweh.
Kingdom of heaven: This Hebrew concept of the promised Messiah establishing His kingdom, liberating His people from the power of the gentile and enemies. Probably this concept much has born in search of bringing hope for the captive Israelites in the foreign land. The issue that brought forth this kingdom was of the land or territory. We find such interpretation during Crusaders.
Knowledge
Centurion: Centurion was a man with authority. He represents Roman’s authority. But somehow, he got courage to approach Jesus with a concern for servant who was in terrible sickness. No doubt, there much have been a rich Jewish people those days with their servants dying of sickness. Interestingly, no Jews came up with such request for their servants. This particular centurion in Matthew 8 must be the same one mentioned by Dr. Luke in his gospel (Luke 7). Though many Roman officers are harsh, there must have been few Roman officers who were god fearing. Aside from his concern for the servant, we can see his humbleness.
Faith: The faith of Roman officer not only astonished Jesus but also create a challenge for the Jews. The Jews were exclusive by nature and when Jesus sent his 70 disciples for evangelism, there is a record that they were not suppose to entered any other house except Jews. This is an indication of the exclusiveness of the Jewish people.
Kingdom of heaven: Another exclusive view of the Jews and Christian. The Jews hope for the dramatic realization of the kingdom of heaven by the promised Messiah. Some Christians believed and anticipate the eschatological celestial reality to be realize soon when Jesus comes back. Still many Christian believed that Christ’s kingdom of heaven is already with us and we have to bring realization to the people by making all our effort to bring peace, justice and love to the humankind.
MODELS
To bring Centurion’s faith and concern for his servant, his little or big act of humility and Jesus astonishment and acceptance of his faith and further opening the kingdom of heaven for the ‘unlikely people’ is a great lesson. The idea of exclusiveness was defeated here by Jesus. His grace and love flows to everyone. Jesus’ acceptance oh his plea is an acceptance of all nation whosoever come to him will receive it.
WHAT RELEVANT TEACHING OR CHALLENGE DOES MY READING OFFER?
The people in power are usually individualistic and self-centered or selfish. The story is a direct confrontation to our social reality today. While, we could hardly find any officers or “public servants” whom we have elected come when are in need. In the present context, the story seems to glorify our officers, especially politicians in particular. However, some politicians do as this centurion did for his servant. Now, the question we need to us ourselves is ‘are we have enough faith to have concern even for others who are less fortunate like centurion’s faith that took him to Jesus?
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