Jesus speaking: ‘ Do good to them that hate you.’ Matthew 5: 43-45
Here is a story with a chain of ‘asks’, but first the characters:
A Roman Centurion – a professional officer, skilled and experienced in leading 80-100 officers.
A Roman Centurion’s servant.
The Elders – Some Pharisees were elders but not all elders were Pharisees.
Jesus.
A Roman Centurion asked the Elders to ask Jesus to heal a servant of the Roman Centurion.
The ask in summary:
Elders: ‘ Would you be so kind as to heal the servant of the Roman Centurion because he built us a synagogue. ‘
Jesus:’ Yes!’ And he started walking on the road to the Roman Centurion’s house.
The Centurion went to meet Jesus on the road and said:
‘ Please don’t come under my roof I’m not good enough! I have men who I tell what to do. Please say the word and my servant will be healed.’
Jesus: ‘ I have not found so great faith in Israel!
As you believe so be it done to you.’
The servant at that time was healed.
Paul speaking to Titus working in Crete:
‘ Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy. Jesus saved us…’
Go and do good to or for those who hate you or is it easier to go for a cycle ride?
A summer cycle
The road is dry
The leaves are green
The branches spread weight evenly.
The shade is dappled and the acorns crack
The wheels press hard the rubber slips
There is smug warmth
A feeling of quiet satisfaction
Summer has got its recipe right
Ready and on time for Autumn's change of colour.
By
Sandy 🙂
Take care,
Sandy 🙂
Ps
‘ I do not know why there is this difference, but I am sure that God keeps no one waiting unless He sees that it is good for them to wait… But you must regard it as waiting not camping. You must keep on praying for light, and of course, even in the hall, you must begin by trying to obey the rules which are common to the whole house. And above all, you must be asking which door is the true door, not which pleases you best by its paint and panelling.’
CS Lewis
Spring is slowly arriving here as autumn arrives there by you. Lovely time of year in both places. Wonderful bit by C S Lewis. Always worth reading what he has to say.
Yes, August is a time of peak before Autumn and your world a mirror image. Enjoy all the times we have say I.
Lovely poem and wonderful path to cycle or walk down!
Thank you, Donna. Sometimes we don’t want autumn to come on summer days like this. Have a good time of day.