Day 12: Luke 7:1-35

When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. 2 There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. 3 The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” 6 So Jesus went with them.

He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” 10 Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.

What an amazing honor this centurion received! Jesus Christ Himself declared him more full of faith than anyone else in all of Israel. But what was it the centurion did to show such great faith?

He believed in the power Jesus had to heal his servant, even from afar. And he trusted that if Jesus said it was done, it would be so.

His belief, coupled with his trust, led to the centurion’s great display of faith.

Spend some time with the Spirit of God in conversation right now. Consider your faith in Jesus. What does it look like in this season? Does belief in Christ’s power, or trust in Him feel hard or easy right now?

The Scripture continues…

11 Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. 12 As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.”

14 Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” 15 The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.

16 They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.” 17 This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.

The compassionate care of Jesus stands out in this section of scripture so beautifully. From afar, Jesus sees the pain of a grieving mother. Not only is there grief in losing her son, but her security in society is now at risk with no husband nor son to care for her. 

Jesus enters into her pain, her grief, and fear. But before He does the amazing miracle of raising her son from the dead, Jesus first speaks words of comfort to her. 

Imagine Him walking up to her in the crowd, seeing her swallowed by her grief, and placing a gentle hand on her arm. Then He says, “Don’t cry.” He stays with her in that moment of deep pain.

Have there been moments you’ve felt the gentle touch of a compassionate Jesus? Thank Him for those moments with you now.

Do you feel the need for a compassionate touch from Jesus right now? Spend some time with Him in this moment. Imagine Him comforting you.

The Scripture continues…

18 John’s disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, 19 he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

20 When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’”

21 At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. 22 So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 23 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

24 After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 25 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. 26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27 This is the one about whom it is written:

“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’

28 I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

29 (All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John. 30 But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)

31 Jesus went on to say, “To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other:

“‘We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not cry.’

33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ 34 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ 35 But wisdom is proved right by all her children.”

Even though Jesus had healed many people, taught with authority and lived with authority, people still doubted. 

By some, He was dismissed as a “glutton and a drunkard, a friend to…sinners.” 

Even John the Baptist sent his followers to question Jesus. “Are you really the Messiah… or is someone else coming?” 

It is clear Jesus didn’t fit the expectations held for the Messiah. This led some to doubt and some to reject Him. 

Do you have ideas of what Jesus should be like? Are there times where He doesn’t perfectly fit your idea of a Savior?

Spend some time in prayer with our Surprising Savior. Ask Jesus to help you know Him truly and faithfully. And rejoice in the Holy Spirit, who gives wisdom to know Jesus intimately.