Matthew 8:5-11 Centurion's Servant

Cross on stair-well, from Peter Whiston
sunshine 25 November 2011

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Nivard 
Sent: Monday, 28 November 2011.
Subject: Many will come and sit at table

Wk 1 Mon 28 Nov 2011-11-27

"Many will come and sit at table in the kingdom of God." Mt. 8:5-11

When Jesus comes again he will fully establish his universal rule of peace and justice. He will unite all things in himself. His promise extends to all generations who believe in him. 

We, too, will feast at the heavenly banquet table with the patriarchs of old. They believed but did not see the promised Messiah. We must believe in God's promises, seek his kingdom first in our lives? 

The season of Advent reminds us that the Lord wants us to actively seek him and seek his kingdom. 

We can approach the Lord Jesus with expectant faith. Like the centurion in today's gospel reading, we know that Jesus will show us his mercy and give us his help.

Prayer: Father in heaven, may we never lose hope in your promises nor lag in zeal for your kingdom of justice and peace."

See: The prophet Isaiah foretold a time of universal peace when all nations would come to "the mountain of the Lord and to the house of the God of Jacob" and "beat their swords into plowshares" (Isaiah 2:2-4). Jesus fulfills this prophecy first by restoring both Jew and Gentile to fellowship with God through the victory he won for us on the cross. When he comes again he will fully establish his universal rule of peace and righteousness and unite all things in himself (Ephesians 1:10). His promise extends to all generations who believe in him that we, too, might feast at the heavenly banquet table with the patriarchs of the Old Covenant who believed but did not see the promised Messiah. Do you believe in God's promises and do you seek his kingdom first in your life? The season of Advent reminds us that the Lord wants us to actively seek him and the coming of his kingdom in our lives. The Lord will surely reward those who seek his will for their lives. We can approach the Lord Jesus with expectant faith, like the centurion in today's gospel reading, knowing that he will show us his mercy and give us his help. Go to http://www.dailyscripture.net/|Daily Reading; Meditation Index |  (c) 2011 Don Schwager