Luke

Chapter 7

 

Luke 7:1-10
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.

 

When Jesus concluded teaching the people, He went to Capernaum.

 

Somewhere along the way Christ encountered a Centurion whose servant was close to death.

 

When the Roman officer heard that Jesus was close by, he asked some of the Jewish leaders to appeal to Jesus so that He may come and heal his servant.

 

Apparently the Gentile Roman Centurion was well known and respected among the Jews of the area, because they went to Jesus asking that He help the Centurion.

 

The Jewish leaders told Jesus how the Roman soldier had helped the Jewish community and deserved Jesus’ help.

 

The Roman Centurion had actually built the local Synagogue.

 

Jesus went with the Jewish leaders to the Centurion’s home, but as they approached the Centurion’s home, he sent some of his friends to tell Jesus not to bother coming to his home.

 

The reason was that he did not consider himself worthy enough to have Jesus come there.

 

He said, “I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof!”

 

However, he had a plan saying, “Say the word, and my servant shall be healed,
because I too am a man set under authority, having under soldiers under me. I tell one, ‘Go!’ And, he goes! And to another I say, ‘Come!’ And, he comes! And to my servant, ‘Do this!’ And he does it.”

 

When Jesus heard that He was astonished and told those around Him, “I have not found faith like this in Israel!”

 

The Centurion’s envoys returned to his house, and found that his servant was healed.

 

Luke 7:11-18

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.
18 And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things.

 

Not long after that Jesus and His followers came to the walled community of Nain.

 

As they arrived at the city gate, a funeral was in progress. The dead man was being taken for burial by his mother who happened to be a widow. A large group of local citizens accompanied her.

 

When the Lord saw her, He was filled with compassion, and told her, “Don't cry.

 

Jesus then touched the bier (Gr. soros- σορός), and said, “Young man, I say to you, Arise!

 

At Christ’s command, the deceased man sat up and began to talk!

 

Jesus delivered (Gr. didōmi-δίδωμι) him back to his mother.

 

Those who saw this were filled with fear (Gr. phobos-joboV) and praised God saying, “A great prophet has risen among us!” And, “God has visited his people!”

 

The news about what Jesus did moved swiftly throughout the surrounding area.

Luke 7:19-35
19
 And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
20 When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
21 And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.
22 Then Jesus answering said unto them, 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.
23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
24 And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
25 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts.
26 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.
27 This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
28 For I say unto you, 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. 29 And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.
30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.
31 And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?
32 They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.
33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil.
34 The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!
35 But wisdom is justified of all her children.

 

Disciples of John the Baptist told him what was happening, so he sent two of his group to Jesus in order to ask, “Are You He that should come? Or should we look for another?”

 

At the time they asked Christ, He had already healed many people, and so He told them,  Go tell John what things you all have seen and heard, how the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised. Tell him that the gospel is preached to the poor! And, tell him blessed is he who shall not be offended (Gr. skandalizō-σκανδαλίζω) in me.

 

After John's envoys had left, Jesus began to speak about him to those who followed Him asking, “What did you all go out into the wilderness to see? Did you go out to see a simple reed blowing in the wind?

 

Did you all go a well dressed man who lives in the king’s court? Or, did you all go out to see a Prophet?

 

You saw more than a Prophet!

 

You saw He of whom it is written, Behold, I send My messenger before thy face, who shall prepare your way.’”

 

Furthermore Jesus told them, “Among those 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 John.

 

Luke tells us that the entire crowd heard what Jesus told them!

 

Biblical hearing demands a positive response!  And so, even the publicans (tax collectors) were baptized! They were re-baptized even if they had already been baptized by John.  In that in their hearing of Christ Jesus they were justified by God!

 

However others, Pharisees, Lawyers, and the so-called upper crust of the religious society refused to hear Christ, the counsel of God and accept the true baptism! 

 

They were already good in their own sight, and as many do today, could not be bothered with repentance from sin!

 

So, Jesus continued, “To what shall I compare those of this generation?

 

They are like children sitting in the marketplace, calling one to another, and saying, We have played music for you, but none of you have danced! We have mourned for you, and none of you have wept!

 

John the Baptist came to you neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you all said that he was demon possessed. The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and you all say, Behold a gluttonous man, a common drunk, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!But, wisdom justifies all those who are her children.

 

Without Christ we will never reach spiritual maturity! Wisdom is not the domain of children!

 

Luke 7:36-50
36
 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat.
37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,
38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.
40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.
41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?
50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

 

At that a Pharisee invited Jesus to eat with him, so Jesus went to the Pharisees house and ate a meal with him.

 

A certain woman who lived in that community heard that Jesus was at the Pharisee’s home and brought an expensive alabaster box of myrrh (Gr. myron-μύρον), a burial perfume, with her to the meal.

 

In those days, during a meal, those eating reclined beside the short-legged table. As she stood behind Jesus, by his feet, she was crying and her tears fell on Jesus’ feet.

 

The woman dried His feet with her hair, kissed them, and poured the perfume on Jesus’ feet. That signified His soon coming death for the sins of the world!

 

1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

When the host Pharisee saw this, he thought, “If Jesus was truly a prophet, He would have known what kind of woman is touching Him! She is a sinner.”

There is no need for the righteous to repent! But then again, there are no righteous our side of Christ, so all need to repent!

Matt 9:13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Christ came to call sinners to repent! Since all are sinners, he came to call all to Himself!

Think about that Pharisee, a gross sinner, not knowing that he is a gross sinner thinking evil thoughts about a sinner who knows she is a sinner.  Over the centuries, things have not changed much!

But, Jesus, knowing what the Pharisee was thinking spoke up and said to him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.

The Pharisee, whose name was Simon, and not knowing what Jesus was about to say, said, “Of course Teacher (Gr. didaskalos-διδάσκαλος)!

So, Jesus began, “There was a banker (Gr. daneistēs-δανειστής) who lent money to two men. One man owed him five hundred denarii (Gr. dēnarion-δηνάριον), and the other owed him fifty.

When neither of the men could repay the loan him, the banker graciously forgave both debts!

Which of the two, will love him more?

The Pharisee responded, “I suppose the one who was forgiven more.”

Jesus then told him”You are correct!”

Following that exchange, Jesus turned to the woman, but spoke to Simon the Pharisee saying, “Do you see this woman?

When I came to your home, you gave me no water to wash my feet! However, she has washed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair! You did not welcome me with a kiss of greeting, but she has not stopped kissing my feet since I arrived. You did not give Me oil to anoint My head (Gr. aleiphō-ἀλείφω), but she has anointed even My feet with myrrh. Therefore I tell you, her many sins are forgiven! Those who have been forgiven a little show little love.

Then Jesus told the woman, Your sins are forgiven.

Those reclining at the table thought, “Who does he think He is?  Does He think that He may forgive sins?”

Jesus did not respond to their thoughts, but instead told the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.

Salvation is spiritual healing! When you are healed spiritually, you walk in God’s peace!

Luke 8
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