The Way - Day 007 (Luke 7)

Pastor Tom's Journal on Today's Reading:
Luke 7:1-16
After concluding His Sermon on the Mount (Luke 6:20-49), Jesus left that place and entered Capernaum where He met a centurion (a Roman army officer) whose servant was sick and ready to die (7:1-2). Luke mentions that the centurion cared deeply for his servant, which would have been very uncommon in that day considering both of their positions. When the centurion heard that Jesus was nearby "...he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, 'for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue'" (7:3-5). This centurion, being a Roman, must have been a very humble and caring man in order for the Jews to plead his cause before Jesus. Christ decided to go with those who had come on behalf of this centurion, but as He came close to the man's house the centurion sent his friends saying, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed" (7:6-7). Recognizing his own sinfulness and unworthiness before God, the centurion begged Jesus not to come to his home but instead just speak the word and the man's servant would be healed. Luke writes that when Jesus heard of this man's faith, He said to those who were surrounding Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!" (7:9). After Jesus spoke concerning the centurion's faith, Luke writes that the friends who had come out to meet Jesus returned to the house and the dying servant had been made well (7:10). This miracle was an amazing demonstration about the power of faith in God, who is able to do that which is impossible.

On the very next day, Jesus enters the city of Nain with His disciples and a "large crowd" (7:11). "When He came near the gate of the city...a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her" (7:12). Upon seeing the widow who had now lost her only son, Jesus was deeply moved with compassion and said to the woman, "Do not weep" (7:13). The people who were gathered must have been surprised at Jesus' words, but what He did next was even more shocking. Luke documents that Jesus touched the coffin and said, "Young man, I say to you, arise" (7:14). When Jesus said these words, the dead man in the coffin came to life, sat up, and began to speak (7:15). The people who had witnessed Jesus bringing this dead man back to life, "...fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, 'A great prophet has risen up among us'; and, 'God has visited His people'" (7:16).

These two supernatural works of Jesus should not cause the reader to worship or seek a miracle, but to worship and seek the God of the miracle. Jesus did not desire followers who only loved Him for what He could do, but also for who He was. He had come not only to heal the sick, raise the dead, and make the lame to walk; Jesus also came to give life to all who would believe in His name.

Luke 7:17-35
Jesus had just performed two dramatic miracles (7:1-16), healing a Roman soldier's servant by spoken word and raising a widow's dead son from the dead, causing His works to be noised "throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region" (7:17). Considering the supernatural nature of these miracles, some people began to inquire regarding the true identity of Jesus; either He was a mighty prophet sent from God or the promised Messiah sent to save people from sin. The stir concerning Jesus caused quite a stir amongst the disciples of John the Baptist and even in John himself (7:18); however, since John currently found himself imprisoned, he probably wondered why there were so many adverse circumstances occurring if the Messiah was present. In order to resolve this issue in his mind, John the Baptist sent two of his disciples to Jesus to ask, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?" (7:19) Upon their arrival, Jesus "cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight" (7:21). Jesus then sent the two men away saying, "Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me" (7:22-23). Jesus was quoting from Isaiah 35:5-6, 61:1 which were Messianic promises which prophesied of the coming Messiah's actions on earth. In essence, Jesus was sending them back in order to report to John that He was truly the Messiah and that John should not be discouraged in suffering for the truth.

As John's disciples left the presence of Jesus, He used the inquiry by them to teach regarding the important ministry of John the Baptist as the greatest prophet (7:28) and the one who called people to repentance before the arrival of the Messiah, Jesus Christ (7:24-28). Although some listened and responded to John's message of repentance and baptism, some did not; however, John was faithful to perform the things God had called him to do (7:29-30). Turning His attention toward those who rejected John's message (and ultimately His message), Jesus accuses them of immaturity and child-like games (7:31-32). The Pharisees did not listen to John's call to repentance in preparation for the Messiah's arrival nor did they rejoice in the coming of Jesus to redeem mankind from sin; instead, they called John a demon and accused Jesus of being a friend of sinners (7:33-34). Wanting to further prove His point about the immaturity of the Pharisees, Jesus said to the crowd, "...wisdom is justified by all her children" (7:35) implying that those who followed the "religious leaders" also had corrupt hearts, which was evidenced by their sinful actions.

Jesus was declaring Himself to be the one and only Son of God who came to earth as the promised Messiah (Genesis 3:15) in order to save people from their sin. He did not come to be a political or even a religious leader, but He came to provide a way for man to be reconnected with God through His death for our sins, burial, and resurrection. Who do you say that He is?

Luke 7:36-50
After providing an abbreviated sermon that Jesus preached (Luke 6:20-49), Luke then documents some of the major miracles being performed by Jesus in order to show that He was truly the Son of God (7:1-16). His miraculous works attracted crowds of people who would follow Him everywhere, but many such as John's disciples wondered about His true identity (7:17-23). Was Jesus just another prophet or was He the Savior sent by God to save mankind from sin? Jesus answered unequivocally that He was the promised Messiah sent to cause the blind to see, lame to walk, diseased to be healed, deaf to hear, dead to be raised, and to preach the gospel (7:22). When Jesus began His earthly ministry, many religious leaders criticized Him and doubted that He was who He was claimed to be; however, Jesus warned concerning the dangers of rejecting Him as Savior and Lord (7:31-35).

One of those religious leaders, Simon, invited Jesus to his house to eat (7:36), but his motive was to find a reason to make an accusation against Him (6:7). While they were eating, Luke writes that "a woman in the city who was a sinner...brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil" (7:37-38). This woman, a prostitute, had come seeking forgiveness of sin from Jesus and her repentance was exemplified by her weeping in the presence of Jesus; her actions were simply an expression of humility, desperation, and worship. Instead of rejoicing at this woman's deep sorrow over her sin, Simon (the Pharisee) thinks in his heart, "This man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner" (7:39). Rather than celebrating the prostitute's humility, Simon was more concerned with her character and the fact that Jesus would allow her to be in His presence. Jesus knew the thoughts of Simon and then spoke to him in a parable saying, "There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?" (7:40-42) Jesus' point is clear. The woman had much sin in her past, but Jesus' forgiveness of all her wrongdoing caused her to express herself in a spirit of humility and worship.

Turning to the woman Jesus says to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil" (7:43-46). At the host, Simon should have treated Jesus as an honored guest, but he did not. But this woman, a prostitute had shown Jesus honor by expressing her worship toward Him, which is what Simon should have done. Jesus then says to Simon, "...her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little" (7:47). Jesus then focuses on the woman and says, "Your sins are forgiven.... Your faith has saved you. Go in peace" (7:48, 50). Even though this woman had lived a life of regret, her willingness to repent and have faith in Jesus provided a second chance at life. Do you need a second chance?

Dear God, thank You for offering forgiveness to those who will repent and believe. Even though our sins are many, You have loved us unconditionally.