There is much contained in the Bible about how we should feel and treat others. The Golden Rule deals with how we should treat others, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that mean should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12). The parable of the Good Samaritan is answering the question of, who is my neighbor (Luke 10:29). Jesus then asks the question, “Which of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? (Luke 10:36). The lawyer answered Jesus thusly, “And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise, (Luke 10:36). How we treat others is very important.
Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount said, “Ye have heard that is hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecuted you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and o the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust” (Matthew 5:43-45). Here it is stated how we are to treat others even when we are mistreated.
In the chapter of Romans that deals with Christian duties there is much information concerning the treatment of others. “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business, fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation, continuing instant in prayer’ Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceable with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is min; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:10-21).
There is also contained within the pages of holy writ how one is to treat others in their family. We are to love our wife. The wife is to love her husband. We are to love and take care of our children. Children are to love and obey their parents. There is much in the Bible of how we are to treat and how we are to feel toward others.
In Matthew 8:5-13 and Luke 7:1-10 we read about a Roman Centurion who wanted Jesus to heal his servant. This Centurion lived in Capernaum where Jesus made his home for some time. Peter’s mother-in-law lived there. Jesus performed several miracles in Capernaum.
Evidently the Centurion knew about Jesus. He may have personally heard Christ preaching and teaching. He knew that Jesus could perform wonderful things and was convinced that Jesus could heal his servant.
The elders of the Jews in Capernaum thought highly of the Centurion. He had built them a synagogue. His friends thought highly of him because they also approached Jesus with a message from the Centurion.
But one of the most amazing things about the Centurion was his concern and love for his servant. The Romans normally did not have much concern for a slave. Aristotle talking about friendships which were possible in life stated, “There can be no friendship nor justice toward inanimate things; indeed, not even towards a horse or an ox, nor yet towards a salve as a slave. For master and slave have nothing in common; a slave is a living tool, just as a too is an inanimate slave.” Peter Chrysologus wrote that, “What a master does to a slave, undeservedly, in anger, willingly, unwillingly, in forgetfulness after careful thought, knowingly, unknowingly, is judgment, justice and law.”
The Centurion was not the normal Roman slave owner. He was a man of exceptional compassion and love. He was a man of war and a man of power, but he did not think too highly of himself. He humbled himself and considered a mere slave as a person of importance. He also humbled himself enough to acknowledge his lowliness to the elders of the Jesus and his Roman friends. They transmitted this message to Jesus. Jesus was told that the Centurion believed that Jesus could heal his servant simply by saying it from a distance. The Centurion did not consider himself worthy for Jesus to enter his home.
Jesus recognized the wonderful humility, faith and love of the Centurion. He stated that it was this kind of faith that would bring man salvation.
One more interesting fact is that we are not told the Centurion’s name. This, in a way, goes with the story. It is not in making a great name for oneself that demonstrated proper faith. It is the attitude behind actions that really matters. It is how we treat others that really matters.
There are all kinds of people watching what we do and what we say. Some of these people can be influenced into a Bible study or even obeying the Gospel just because of the way we treat others. They see that we are practicing what we are preaching. This does not mean that it will always be easy to treat others respectfully. This does not always mean that we will influence others for good, but it is a start. Let us live like the entire world is watching us. Let us live like God is watching us. We may not be sure about the world, but we know that God is watching us. Let us live accordingly.
Love, Keith
