The Advent Spirit

Monday 29th November 2021. Read Isaiah 2:1-5, Ps.122:1-2,4-5,6-9, Matthew 8:5-11

“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” (Isaiah 2:3)

During this season of Advent, one of our most common hymns is “Come Lord Jesus!” As we call on Jesus this season of Advent, the Centurion in our Gospel passage gives us the right disposition and outlook that should necessarily accompany our call.

We learn from the centurion to have the attitude of humility bearing in mind that we are indeed not worthy to have Jesus come to us. Humility is not just a matter of thinking less of myself, it is thinking big of the God I serve. If only I knew how big God is, rather than see prayer as a waste of time, I would consider each minute I spend praying as a privilege.

Secondly, we learn from the Centurion the need for faith. He had no iota of doubt in his heart about what Jesus could do and he approached Jesus with the firm assurance that by simply speaking the word, his servant would receive healing.

Thirdly, we learn from the Centurion the need to show care and concern for the people living with or working for us. At times, our workers are sick and we don’t even go to check on them. The Centurion going by his name must have been a busy man yet, he found time to come looking for Jesus because of his servant.

Isaiah speaks of a time when nations should beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Jesus was willing to go to the Centurion’s house because he didn’t want his servant to remain sick. We pray that Jesus would come and heal our sickness and bring relief to our pains. We pray that this Christmas would be a time of peace, a time of abundance, and not of war. 

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, bring us healing and teach us to trust you like the Centurion. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Monday of the 1st week of Advent. Bible Study: Isaiah 2:1-5, Ps.122:1-2,4-5,6-9, Matthew 8:5-11).