So, now let us come back to this woman that John saw. His reaction was the same. Once her true nature was revealed there was almost a stunned appreciation for what she embodied. I think he was struck by a powerful moment of recognition. I think that he saw the world as God saw it. At this point that sin took on a new proportion. Probably he was shaken to his core over what mankind was doing and facing as a result. There were implications of wickedness. Babylon was reveling in her own disastrous, her own reckless ways.
Be like the centurion
While we are not shown a vision like John we can read that vision. We need to pick up John’s reaction and make it our own. The centurion simply accepted the reality of what Jesus could say. We badly need to accept the reality of what Jesus has said. Sin is wicked. Rebellion against God has resulted in the destruction of the world. Humanity wants to do things its own way, but the brush strokes of its independence lead to terrible, terrible things.
What sins or sinful responses are in our lives? Do we hate others? Are we negative? Do we complain and moan? Are we mad at God? Do we chafe and what our lives seem to be about? Are we mire in covetousness? What about lust? Anger? Envy? Do we care little for the needs of others or put our own needs about them?
We need to see these things like John did and take those problems to Jesus. The centurion took his problem to Jesus and had complete confidence in the answer that Jesus held. How much more is the answer for our sins at the cross of Christ. We need to accept our sins as sinful, as things in a cup which we might drink. Others can become drunk and dis-inhibited by watching the things we do. Only Jesus can forgive us. Only Jesus can cleanse us from these tendencies. We need to come as we are, confessing these sins. They must be renounced and then God called on for help in the fight for ongoing holiness.
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