Luke 7
March Memory Verse: "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." Luke 19:10 NIV
Read: Luke 7
Thank you all so much for reading Jumpstart! It’s awesome for us to come together as a community around God’s Word—especially as we walk through the life of Jesus in Luke.
Luke 7 covers a lot of ground:
1. The story of the Centurion and the healed slave (2–10).
2. The raising of the widow’s dead son (11–17).
a. Jesus recognized by the people (16–17).
3. The disciples of John and the distinction between he and Jesus (18–35).
a. Jesus’ warning to the faithless religious leaders (30–35).
4. The anointing of Jesus with the parable of the two debtors (36–50).
In reading the story of the Centurion, it hit me that he never actually saw Jesus. I’ve read this story 100 times, but my mind’s eye always placed the Centurion as speaking to Jesus. In verse 6 when the Jews were taking Jesus to the Centurion’s house, “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. I am not even worthy to come and meet you. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed.’” This lesson is extra credit, but it illustrates the importance of good observation.
The story of the Centurion is an incredible example that Jesus’ power isn’t limited to proximity—He is not bound by time and space. In fact, the staff is going through a book on prayer, and we recently discussed a passage that illustrates this point.
“[The almighty power of God] is so rich and so mobile that all we have to do when we pray is to point to the persons or things to which we desire to have this power applied, and He, the Lord of this power, will direct the necessary power to the desired place at once. This power is entirely independent of time and space. In the very moment that we bend our knees and pray for our brethren and sisters in Zulu, Madagascar, Santalistan, China, or the Sudan, in that same instant this power is transmitted to these people.” (Prayer, O. Hallesby, 65)
When we are burdened to pray for others in prayer, we do not need to be in the same room. However, while Jesus’ power isn’t limited to proximity, His grace allows it. Many of us have experienced the ministry of presence from others in times of need or hurt. In fact, sometimes the best ministry we do is by shutting up, sitting quietly, and just being with people. This ministry of presence is clearly seen in the woman anointing Jesus’ feet.
As Jesus reclines at the table of a Pharisee a very odd thing happens, a lady of ill repute comes and sits at Jesus’ feet. Not only that, but with her tears she wet his feet and began wiping them with her hair. She then anointed his feet with very expensive perfume while kissing them. Due to a lack of indoor plumbing, ancient city streets were disgusting. Mud, muck, and garbage would have been unavoidable as you walked around. Can you imagine kissing the feet of somebody who’s been traipsing around in excrement wearing thong sandals?
Luke 7 highlights humility. Jesus’ power and grace pour out on those who humbly recognize Him for who He is. His power extends beyond his presence, yet no sin or stain can keep us away from humbly seeking his presence. He is an approachable King, with the only condition of recognizing how deeply we need Him.
By: Tyler Short
Read: Luke 7
Thank you all so much for reading Jumpstart! It’s awesome for us to come together as a community around God’s Word—especially as we walk through the life of Jesus in Luke.
Luke 7 covers a lot of ground:
1. The story of the Centurion and the healed slave (2–10).
2. The raising of the widow’s dead son (11–17).
a. Jesus recognized by the people (16–17).
3. The disciples of John and the distinction between he and Jesus (18–35).
a. Jesus’ warning to the faithless religious leaders (30–35).
4. The anointing of Jesus with the parable of the two debtors (36–50).
In reading the story of the Centurion, it hit me that he never actually saw Jesus. I’ve read this story 100 times, but my mind’s eye always placed the Centurion as speaking to Jesus. In verse 6 when the Jews were taking Jesus to the Centurion’s house, “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. I am not even worthy to come and meet you. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed.’” This lesson is extra credit, but it illustrates the importance of good observation.
The story of the Centurion is an incredible example that Jesus’ power isn’t limited to proximity—He is not bound by time and space. In fact, the staff is going through a book on prayer, and we recently discussed a passage that illustrates this point.
“[The almighty power of God] is so rich and so mobile that all we have to do when we pray is to point to the persons or things to which we desire to have this power applied, and He, the Lord of this power, will direct the necessary power to the desired place at once. This power is entirely independent of time and space. In the very moment that we bend our knees and pray for our brethren and sisters in Zulu, Madagascar, Santalistan, China, or the Sudan, in that same instant this power is transmitted to these people.” (Prayer, O. Hallesby, 65)
When we are burdened to pray for others in prayer, we do not need to be in the same room. However, while Jesus’ power isn’t limited to proximity, His grace allows it. Many of us have experienced the ministry of presence from others in times of need or hurt. In fact, sometimes the best ministry we do is by shutting up, sitting quietly, and just being with people. This ministry of presence is clearly seen in the woman anointing Jesus’ feet.
As Jesus reclines at the table of a Pharisee a very odd thing happens, a lady of ill repute comes and sits at Jesus’ feet. Not only that, but with her tears she wet his feet and began wiping them with her hair. She then anointed his feet with very expensive perfume while kissing them. Due to a lack of indoor plumbing, ancient city streets were disgusting. Mud, muck, and garbage would have been unavoidable as you walked around. Can you imagine kissing the feet of somebody who’s been traipsing around in excrement wearing thong sandals?
Luke 7 highlights humility. Jesus’ power and grace pour out on those who humbly recognize Him for who He is. His power extends beyond his presence, yet no sin or stain can keep us away from humbly seeking his presence. He is an approachable King, with the only condition of recognizing how deeply we need Him.
By: Tyler Short
9 Comments
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."
Luke 7 really is incredible and full of great stories. Verses 7 & 8 spoke to me this morning. Verse 9 tells us that Jesus was "amazed" at the centurion. Jesus went on to say "I have not found such great faith even in Israel".
So how does this apply to you and me? Do I really believe Jesus is able to do anything? As I watch America's cultural decline and decadence, do I really believe Jesus can stir the hearts of men and bring about a great revival in our land? Am I consistently, and expectantly, praying for this? What would happen if all Christ followers fully trusted Him and earnestly prayed for repentance and revival?
Let's try it and find out! Thanks Tyler for the commentary. I love reading God's word and discussing it as a group. Thanks to all our staff for faithfully writing JS commentaries.
That's a good challenge Mike. I am definitely guilty assuming little can be done to see culture change through revival... My inclination is to beat back the darkness locally and in our community, but just because national repentance is hard to imagine, doesn't mean it's a foolish thing for which to pray.
Tyler, todays commentary is so beautiful and powerful. Thank you for your insights.
vs. 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." The one who receives the gift of salvation and enters into the Kingdom of God is in far greater a position than anyone perceived as great by the people of this world. What freedom and rest we experience when this is internalized.
All of this chapter reflects to me the awesome love of God/Christ.
Thanks so much Lindsay. You're such an encouragement. The Love of the Lord comes through strong in this passage. There is soooo much here.
That's awesome Mattie. Such a great reminder.
Even the alabaster jar she had for the perfume was very expensive and probably intended as a dowery for marriage. It wasn't resealable. She broke it open and gave it to Jesus.... the most valuable worldly good and a symbol of her future was give to him and applied to his feet.
Thanks so much Lindsay. You're such an encouragement. The Love of the Lord comes through strong in this passage. There is soooo much here.
I never really stopped to consider what Jesus feet must have been like, for some reason I always pictured that Jesus feet were clean before she ever touched them. That is not the case, don't know why I had that vision in my head. Now I am picturing all the dirt and grime that she was washing off with her hair and it moved me to tears, because those feet were nailed to a cross for me, and for her. Thanks for the commentary Tyler it really brought it into perspective for me. The reality of what Jesus actually left to come down to the filth and heartache we walk through every day is profound. We get to leave all the hurt and pain and dirt and filth to go to perfection because of what HE was willing to do, leave perfection to come to our brokenness and our filth. It is so amazing. Also humbling to think the most religious in the room were perplexed by her actions, she knew who she was with more than they did because she had so clearly experienced his forgiveness. She was one of the most blessed in that room, because her eyes were opened to the value of Jesus, even though she was known for her bad reputation, He allowed her to know Him more than most people there. Everyone in that room would have been doing the same thing or at least not been taken aback by it if they knew who they were with. I think it is pretty crazy we can be in the room with Jesus and miss who He is. I hope I am the one washing His feet, being totally unaffected by other people's opinions and always aware of His presence. This is such a beautiful passage and it just came alive to me more than ever, thanks!!
Thanks so much Lindsay. You're such an encouragement. The Love of the Lord comes through strong in this passage. There is soooo much here.
That's awesome Mattie. Such a great reminder.
Even the alabaster jar she had for the perfume was very expensive and probably intended as a dowery for marriage. It wasn't resealable. She broke it open and gave it to Jesus.... the most valuable worldly good and a symbol of her future was give to him and applied to his feet.
Thanks so much Lindsay. You're such an encouragement. The Love of the Lord comes through strong in this passage. There is soooo much here.
I find it interesting in the story of the woman washing Jesus feet that we never hear her say anything, but Jesus says your sins are forgiven. It was her action that showed her inward change. I'm sure it was a humbling experience for her, and that there were words of praise that she had for Jesus, but the fact that her actions are what is pointed out says a lot to me. We can say all we want, but our actions are what flows from the heart. This is something that is important for believers, it is that fruit of the spirit that Paul talks about in Galatians. May we be a people who not only speak of Jesus, but whose actions show Jesus.
Good word Scottie!
The centurion's faith in Jesus' power really stood out to me. He knew Jesus was God and that he could do anything. He didn't think that Jesus had to say or do something specific. He knew that Jesus could do anything from anywhere. And this is something that I say that I believe but I don't expect Jesus to act and do certain things in my life and those around me. I need to have more faith that God can and will change me and others.