For a description of the (Y2) reading plan, see the “About” page.
Luke 7
What was it about the centurion’s faith that made it stand out to Jesus? What stands out to me about the centurion’s faith is that it acknowledged both how small he was and how great God is. The centurion understood Christs’ authority. He also understood that his own authority didn’t hold a candle to that. With great humility, he placed his confidence fully in Jesus.
Another thing that stands out to me in this passage is part of Jesus’ response to Simon, the Pharisee, regarding the sinful woman who anointed His feet. Jesus said of her, “Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven – as her great love has shown” (Luke 7:47). He said this before He told the woman that her sins were forgiven. He was looking at her when He said it, but talking ‘to’ Simon. Time is a funny thing. It looks to us like this woman did this act before she was ever forgiven. But clearly she had a change of heart prior to this point that drove her to do what she did. Jesus’ words suggest to me that she was forgiven the moment she acted on that change of heart. As with the centurion, Jesus did not have to be physically present for the miracle to happen.
Gen. 13-14
Why do you think Abram was able to decline the king’s offer of possessions? I wonder when Abram swore his oath to God to not accept anything at all from the king of Sodom. Sodom was an evil place from before Lot settled there. Abram did not go to war to save evil Sodom or any of the other overtaken cities. He went to save Lot. He went out with 318 men to take on four kings who were overtaking everything in their path. And he prevailed because God “delivered [his] enemies into [his] hand” (Gen. 14:20). So did he have a conversation with God before going out after Lot and made this oath at that time? Or was it something he swore to long before this incident to keep himself separated from the evil in the land?
We know that Abram was not needy, as he already had great wealth. Of course, having great wealth never stopped anybody from seeking more. So we know that he was also not greedy. What he was, was faithful to God. Abram did not need to accept anything that might make him beholden in any way to evil because he trusted God and was content with what God provided. Needy or not, that sure seems to me a good way to be.
Ps. 4
What is the mood when the psalm starts, when it ends, and what changes in between? Wow – this Psalm is Philippians 4:6-7 put into action! “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” David was in distress. He took his concerns to God. Then he rested in God’s peace. I also notice that, like Abram, David put His trust in God and looked to Him for his prosperity.