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Luke

Luke 
Day 
Day 82

Luke 7:1-10 ; Matthew 8:5-13 "A QUICK REVIEW OF THE GALILEAN MINISTRY OF THE LORD JESUS"

Day 82 – Luke 7

Text: Luke 7:1-10 ; Matthew 8:5-13

A QUICK REVIEW OF THE GALILEAN MINISTRY OF THE LORD JESUS

Jesus was most focused in His ministry of preaching the Kingdom of the Gospel. Multitudes flocked to hear Him proclaim the Kingdom of God. Many who formed the multitude who came to Him were also ill. Out of love and compassion, Jesus healed the lame, and cast out demons from those who were possessed (Luke 4:40-41; 5:15, 17; 6:17-18).

Out of the many hundreds that Jesus must have healed, Luke was silent in his record concerning the spiritual state of those who came seeking healing. We read about how “power went out from Him and healed them all” (Luke 6:19). It was the Lord Jesus who sought to help those who came to Him to be deeply concerned about their spiritual welfare.

On one occasion, before Jesus healed a man who was paralysed, He spoke to Him about the forgiveness of sins (Luke 5:17-26). In this incident, Luke sought to paint an important portrait of Jesus. He was not just a Healer of the Body. He was a Healer of the soul primarily!

When Jesus spoke at His hometown synagogue in Nazareth, He preached on the subject of how God sent Elijah to help a Sidonian woman at the time when famine severely hit the region (Luke 4:24-26). There were many lepers in Israel in the days of Elisha, and yet he healed none, except Naaman, who came from Syria. (Luke 6:27)

There was a dearth of faith in Israel in the days of Elijah and Elisha, and thus miracles were withheld. The point of Jesus was all too clear! Nazareth had expected Him to perform mighty miracles too. He refused – for obvious reasons! The city of Nazareth did not have faith in Him. He pointed out what was probably conveniently and politely tucked away under the garb of religion.

For His pains, Nazareth wanted to throw Jesus off a cliff! It was only by the power of God that Jesus walked away unscathed (Luke 4:28-30).

Jesus went to Capernaum and there, He preached mightily. Many responded to Him. Many were privileged to become His Disciples. Many were also healed. However, in NONE of the instances when Jesus healed people was there a commendation of great faith!

MEETING THE REQUEST OF A GENTILE CENTURION

It is not without significance that Luke painstakingly recorded this incident of how Jesus healed the servant of a Gentile centurion. Let us learn the intended lessons Luke meant when he recorded this outstanding healing incident. This story was also outstanding to Matthew, another Gospel narrative writer. When we read this story synoptically, we will see a truly outstanding man of faith in the Gentile Centurion. This story would be the first recorded incident of Jesus ministering healing grace to a Gentile.

Jesus sought to teach His Disciples how they could lead an outstanding life. Here was an example of a Gentile Centurion, who illustrated the fact that it is possible to lead an impressive life of faith!

A WELL-DESERVED COMMENDATION

1. AN OUTSTANDING LIFE RECOGNIZED BY OTHERS

a) He was well spoken of by the “Elders of the Jews” (Luke 7:3). They pleaded on the behalf of the Centurion for mercy to be extended to his servant who was sick. The life of the Centurion was obviously impressive. Roman soldiers were never highly regarded, because they reminded Israel that they were a conquered people. Nevertheless, this Gentile centurion won the respect and admiration of the elders of the Jews. They were impressed by the fact that the Centurion “loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue” (Luke 7:5).
b) As Jesus made His way to the home of the Centurion, another delegation from the Centurion was sent to greet Him (Luke 7:6-8). They carried a message from the Centurion to Jesus.
c) Jesus received these two groups of people and still made as if He was going to the home of the Centurion (Matthew 8:8). Matthew recorded that finally, the Centurion himself turned up, and repeated the message that his friends had said earlier (Matthew 8:8-9).

The message showed wonderful humility on the part of the Centurion. He felt totally unworthy to receive Jesus. He was all too familiar with the Jewish customs. No Jew would enter a home of a Gentile. Jesus was no ordinary Person. His reputation, His Name was held in the highest regard! How would he, a Gentile Centurion dare to expect that Jesus would come to his house and heal his lowly servant? The Centurion uttered unforgettable words,

“Therefore I did not think myself worthy to come to You.” (Luke 7:7).

Even more outstanding was the faith of the Centurion that stood out so prominently, against the backdrop of an unbelieving nation. Despite the MANY mighty miracles of Jesus, the multitude just could not recognize who Jesus was! Again, the Centurion uttered simple but powerful words of faith,

“But say the word, and my servant will be healed.” (Luke 7:7)

2. AN OUTSTANDING FAITH RECOGNISED BY JESUS HIMSELF

When Jesus heard these words, with great deliberation and purpose, He turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him,

“I say to you, I have not found such great faith,
Not even in Israel!” Luke 7:9

This was what He hoped to find in His beloved nation, Israel. This kind of faith was what He sought to help His Disciples to cultivate. And here was a Gentile Centurion showing everybody what it means to have genuinely great faith in Him.

THE REWARD OF GREAT FAITH

The Centurion was well rewarded that day. His servant was healed at that very hour. But he must have felt that his greatest reward were the words of commendation from none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. Can we speak of having such great faith?