Friday, July 17, 2009

You Must Be Family

After the centurion pleaded with Jesus for the healing of his servant, Jesus marveled at this gentile's faith. What Jesus said next to His Jewish followers probably shocked them.

Mat 8:11 MKJV
(11) And I say to you that many shall come from the east and the west, and shall sit down with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of Heaven.

The Jews of Jesus' day commonly spoke of and yearned for this meal with their fore-fathers as a beloved part of their eschatology. But the reference by Jesus of 'many coming from the east and west' was a gentile reference, reinforced by their recent dealings with the centurion. Why was this so shocking? Because only FAMILY could sit down at the table with the patriarch.

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