AM March 15th Luke 7

March 15^th         Luke 7               Jesus heals a centurion’s servant

1: Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum. 2: And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die. 3: And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant. 4: And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this: 5: For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. 6: Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: 7: Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. 8: For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 9: When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. 10: And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.

Jesus raises the widows son

11: And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. 12: Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. 13: And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. 14: And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. 15: And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. 16: And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people. 17: And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.

Not every Roman was bad. Here we have an example of a Centurion who was a Good fearing man who had converted to Judaism. He loved Israel and had built a synagogue for the Jews. He had a servant who was precious to him so he sent for Christ, however when Christ was on his way he thought twice of allowing Christ into his home because he felt he was unworthy. So he sent friends asking Christ to just say the word and the servant would be healed! He said, l am also a man who has authority and l can just give a command at my will is done. Christ comments on the greatness of his faith. He says that he has not found such great faith, not even in Israel. When the friends returned to the house of the Centurion they found the servant healed. On the next day Christ was entering the city of Nain and two processions were winding their way toward each other. There was the company of the disciples and many other followers and there was the company of mourners following the coffin of a widow who only son had died. Having no husband and now no son she is to be plunged into poverty on top of bereavement. What would happen when these two processions met? When Christ met the funeral he had compassion on the woman and stopped the procession by touching the coffin. Then he called the son back to life and he sat up and began talking. This procession broke up in the fear of the Lord and unspeakable joy and the woman went home rejoicing. ‘Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted’. The news of this event spread throughout all Judea and beyond.