Luke 7: A “chapter” in Jesus’ Life (1) Jesus and the Centurion Luke 7:1-10 How many physically blind people did Jesus give sight as recorded in the Gospels?
The number of times Jesus said he was amazed (marvelled) in the Gospels?
What are the thing(s) that Jesus said amazed him? What is the first recorded miracle that Jesus performed in Luke’s gospel? Luke 4:31-36 A man with demon
What is the number of miracles performed by Jesus recorded in the gospels? Unknown but many Luke 5 Simon Peter and the fish, A man with Leprosy, A man paralysed and brought by his friend Luke is the gospel of compassion and sympathy In Luke we meet individuals in need In Luke we meet Jesus the great physician meet the need of all kinds of people Luke is trying to get across to us Jesus is the friend of individuals in need Jesus Christ is never too busy to stop and listen to our needs Jesus Christ is never too busy to help us bear life’s burdens; never far away; he has not changed Jesus mingled with people, including publicans and sinners Compassionate Son of man came to live among sinners, love them, help them and die for them Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8) Jesus Christ is never indifferent or unconcerned Jesus Christ knows about your needs and wants to help you Nigerian Chorus -Anywhere he went he was doing good- Acts 10:38 –Peter unfinished sermon A very high official, a Roman Centurion, requests Physical healing A man of high standing has a need Jesus performs a great miracle, physical healing
A distraught woman with a dead son No request made, but Jesus had compassion on her Jesus performs a greater miracle, physical resurrection
An imprisoned prophet, makes a request to Jesus Hoping Jesus will perform a miracle for him Jesus declares him the greatest person that ever lived
A sinful woman demonstrates faith in Jesus for spiritual healing A woman of low standing has a need Jesus performs the greatest miracle, salvation, spiritual resurrection Jesus and the Roman Centurion Luke 7:1-10 The Roman Centurion Gentile, pagan background, trained to be self-sufficient Commander of 100 soldiers Likely very rich/lots of resources at his disposal Had a sick servant that he loved Heard about Jesus; sent Jew leaders to Jesus Jewish leaders said he deserved help from Jesus: loved Jews, built synagogue Said (twice) “not worthy” for Jesus to visit his home, or to meet Jesus Humble man – a Roman officer telling a poor Jewish rabbi (Jesus) “I am not worthy” Described his faith in Jesus Parallel between commanding his soldiers, and Jesus commanding sicknesses Both the centurion and Jesus under authority and had the right to exercise authority Say the word and something happens, a marvellous faith in Jesus Jesus’ response to his need On the way to the man’ home (a Gentile home)
Got the man’s message before he arrived But just before they arrived at the house, the officer sent some friends to say, “Lord, don’t trouble yourself by coming to my home, for I am not worthy of such an honor. 7 I am not even worthy to come and meet you. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. 8 I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.”
Amazed(marvelled) at the man faith When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to the crowd that was following him, he said, “I tell you, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel!” 10 And when the officer’s friends returned to his house, they found the slave completely healed
Jesus did not speak a word of healing, yet the miracle happened
Twice in the gospel record Jesus marvelled or was amazed Here in Capernaum, he marvelled (amazed) at the faith of a Gentile He marvel at the unbelieve of the Jews Mark 6:6