Familiarity breeds Contempt

At this time of the year the story of Jesus' birth becomes distorted and magical when in truth it is powerfully supernatural

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As a congregation we are asking the Lord to teach us to pray. I was led to Matthew 8 and the story of the centurion which made me think that it has a warning for this  time of the year when we remember and celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus.

The centurion was part of the backbone of the invading Roman army in Israel;  ruthless men of strength and character.

A most unusual trait of the centurion was his sensitivity towards his slave whom he valued highly, when we consider they used to let the old slaves die, shut in with no food or left out in the open air. They were treated as mere utensils and discarded when worn out.

This centurion had built a synagogue out of love for the nation of Israel. He sent some Jews to Jesus to ask Him to come and heal his servant. They pleaded earnestly with the Lord to do it as the centurion was so deserving.

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He showed unusual humility as when the Lord wasn't far from his house, the centurion sent his servants to tell Him not to trouble Himself for he didn't deserve to have Him come under his roof.  And that was the reason he hadn't considered himself worthy to come to Him in person - just Jesus' word would be sufficient for his servant to be healed. Because the centurion was a man under authority he understood Jesus was under the authority of God the Father so he believed without hesitation that Jesus' word would heal his highly valued servant.

We say 'familiarity breeds contempt'. And at this time of the year the story of Jesus' birth becomes distorted and magical when in truth it is powerfully supernatural. A true historic account of God the Father sending His one and only Son to save us from our lack of understanding of authority.

Our individualistic ways have led us away from the Creator of heaven and earth and all mankind. Away from His wonderful plan of us being created for His pleasure, for communion and intimacy, for love and beauty and joy. We have ruined our lives and the beautiful surroundings that God created to give us an environment conducive to praise, worship, fellowship, creativity and well being.

And the coming of the Lord Jesus, righting our wrongs and offering the opportunity of new birth provides a new start.

Let us come afresh to the true historic account of the Lord's birth. The wonder of Heaven and Earth connecting in such a supernatural way for an encounter with Father, Son and Holy Spirit which is real and life giving.

Let's see the story developing and engaging in our daily living seeing baby Jesus becoming the Saviour of the world, having died for the sins of the whole world, resurrected and sitting at the right hand of the Father, waiting for the Father's command to return and reign and rule on earth fulfilling all His promises to Israel and the whole of creation. He is interceding for each one of us because He doesn't want anybody to be lost but everyone to accept His gift of forgiveness and eternal life.

Let us make room to go back to the historical accounts in Scripture from the Old Testament to the New Testament and be transformed by them. Let us be filled with the hope of eternal life in a perfect world where a God of love reigns and rules and we surrender willingly to Him.

Author: Betty Plumb

May God bless and enrich your life

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