Scripture reading – Luke 7
Luke 7
Healing the Centurion’s Servant (Luke 7:1-10; Matthew 8:5-13)
Some of Jesus’ greatest miracles were recorded in Luke 7. When He entered Capernaum, His home base in Galilee, Jesus was met by a delegation of Jewish elders who came on behalf of a Roman centurion (Luke 7:1-2). They entreated the LORD to go to the soldier’s home, for his servant was “sick and ready to die” (Luke 7:2). They appealed to Jesus that the centurion was “worthy…for he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue” (Luke 7:4-5).
Jesus went with the elders of the synagogue. As they approached the centurion’s home, he came to Jesus and said, “Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: 7Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed” (Luke 7:6-7).
The soldier, commending himself to Jesus as a good man and a man of faith, moved Him to marvel and say, “I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel” (Luke 7:9). When the servants of the centurion returned to the house, they “found the servant whole that had been sick” (Luke 7:10).
A Widow’s Son Raised from the Dead (Luke 7:11-17)
The next day, a great crowd followed Jesus and His disciples from Capernaum to a “city called Nain” (located a day’s journey from Capernaum and some six miles from Nazareth, Jesus’ childhood home, Luke 7:11).
As they neared the gate of the city, they were met by a crowd of mourners (Luke 7:12). Men were carrying the dead body of “the only son” of a widow, and many of the city with her (Luke 7:12). “When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. 14And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise” (Luke 7:13-14).
The young man “sat up, and began to speak,” and the people both feared and “glorified God, saying, “A great prophet is risen up among us; and…God hath visited his people” (Luke 7:16).
John the Baptist Questioned: Was Jesus the Messiah? (Luke 7:18-20)
We are privy to an intriguing conversation when the followers of John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, came to Jesus. On behalf of John, whom King Herod imprisoned, the disciples asked if Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah (Luke 7:18-35).
Lest we be hard on John the Baptist, remember he was imprisoned for several months after he confronted King Herod’s adultery with his brother’s wife (Luke 3:19-20). Suffering the hardships of prison, isolation from his followers, and knowing his life and ministry were nearing the end, John wanted assurance that Jesus was the promised One, Israel’s Messiah.
Rather than rebuke, Jesus responded with assurances to the questions posed by John the Baptist’s followers. (Luke 7:21-23)
Miraculous works and deeds were proof of God’s power, and the Scripture records: “In that same hour [Jesus]cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind He gave sight” (Luke 7:21; Isaiah 35:5, 6; 61:1). For John’s disciples, Jesus’ miracles revealed He was who He said He was…the Messiah (Luke 7:21).
Having performed miracles that no man could explain apart from God, Jesus commanded John’s followers, “Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached” (Luke 7:22).
Who was John the Baptist? (Luke 7:24-34)
As John’s disciples departed, Jesus turned to the people and affirmed the ministry of His forerunner (Luke 7:24-28). He hailed John’s person and character and said, “Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he” (Luke 7:28).
Closing thoughts –
We do not know the number of disciples who followed John the Baptist. Yet, in his most vulnerable hour, we find that John had “two of his disciples” to whom he expressed his earnest longings and desires (Luke 7:19). John “sent them to Jesus saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?” (Luke 7:19b).
Application – If there was never a greater prophet than John, “born of women,” and he struggled with doubts, we should be prepared when the same affliction befalls us. Providential for John, there were two men with whom he could confide and express his doubts. What a comfort to see Jesus was patient when John’s disciples questioned Him, and His opinion of John the Baptist was undiminished.
What a wonderful, caring, understanding, compassionate Lord we serve!
Copyright © 2024 – Travis D. Smith
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