Luke 7:1-50
I would like to look at three of the people in this chapter that stand out to me. I think their attitudes and actions have lessons from which we can learn. Christ uses all three of them as illustrations of greatness so we will do well to follow their lead.
A CENTURION WITH GREAT FAITH: This was a Gentile who was sympathetic to the cause of Israel, but his faith, according to Jesus, out shined the faith of all in Israel. He had a slave who was close to death and believed Jesus could heal him, but he considered himself unworthy to go to Christ himself so he asked the leaders of the synagogue to implore Christ on his behalf. Then, he was so humble that he did not want to impose on Christ's time and make Him come to his house. He knew that Jesus could heal from a distance as well as in person. That, by definition, is faith. He did not need to see Christ work but believed in the power of Him whom he had never met. This is what we must do in prayer. We cannot see Christ, but we pray to Him because we know that He is able to meet all of our needs.
A PROPHET WITH GREAT DOUBTS: To be honest with you, I have a hard time understanding what was going through John's mind when he sent for confirmation from Jesus. Had he forgotten what happened at the baptism of Christ? Two things stand out to me about this scene. First of all, how easy it is for us to have doubts in the midst of difficult circumstances. John was in jail and I am sure was confused about how all of this had turned out and he had too much time to think. We must be very careful not to allow adverse circumstances to fill our minds with doubts about God. The second thing that stands out to me. is how Christ handled John's doubts. He did not criticize him but praised him publicly as the greatest prophet of all times. Isn't it wonderful to know that Christ is big enough to understand our doubts and fears?
A WOMAN WITH GREAT LOVE: The emotion of this passage can easily be missed because we have read it so much. Can you imagine how this woman's heart must have been broken over her sin and Christ's forgiveness to have enough tears to wash Jesus' feet? She is oblivious to the disproving looks of the others at the table. Her recognition of her sinful condition and her hope of forgiveness have removed all sense of propriety. She is desperate and her love for Christ compounds as she contemplates the prospects of forgiveness. This is a principle that we must always bear in mind. Our love for Christ will always be proportionate to the recognition of our own sinfulness. This woman's sin, before God, was really no more serious than the sins of every Pharisee in the room. The difference between them was simply that they were not ready to admit that they were sinners. May God give us the grace to be sensitive and recognize our sin so that our Love for Christ might cause our hearts to overflow with tears of worship.
A CENTURION WITH GREAT FAITH: This was a Gentile who was sympathetic to the cause of Israel, but his faith, according to Jesus, out shined the faith of all in Israel. He had a slave who was close to death and believed Jesus could heal him, but he considered himself unworthy to go to Christ himself so he asked the leaders of the synagogue to implore Christ on his behalf. Then, he was so humble that he did not want to impose on Christ's time and make Him come to his house. He knew that Jesus could heal from a distance as well as in person. That, by definition, is faith. He did not need to see Christ work but believed in the power of Him whom he had never met. This is what we must do in prayer. We cannot see Christ, but we pray to Him because we know that He is able to meet all of our needs.
A PROPHET WITH GREAT DOUBTS: To be honest with you, I have a hard time understanding what was going through John's mind when he sent for confirmation from Jesus. Had he forgotten what happened at the baptism of Christ? Two things stand out to me about this scene. First of all, how easy it is for us to have doubts in the midst of difficult circumstances. John was in jail and I am sure was confused about how all of this had turned out and he had too much time to think. We must be very careful not to allow adverse circumstances to fill our minds with doubts about God. The second thing that stands out to me. is how Christ handled John's doubts. He did not criticize him but praised him publicly as the greatest prophet of all times. Isn't it wonderful to know that Christ is big enough to understand our doubts and fears?
A WOMAN WITH GREAT LOVE: The emotion of this passage can easily be missed because we have read it so much. Can you imagine how this woman's heart must have been broken over her sin and Christ's forgiveness to have enough tears to wash Jesus' feet? She is oblivious to the disproving looks of the others at the table. Her recognition of her sinful condition and her hope of forgiveness have removed all sense of propriety. She is desperate and her love for Christ compounds as she contemplates the prospects of forgiveness. This is a principle that we must always bear in mind. Our love for Christ will always be proportionate to the recognition of our own sinfulness. This woman's sin, before God, was really no more serious than the sins of every Pharisee in the room. The difference between them was simply that they were not ready to admit that they were sinners. May God give us the grace to be sensitive and recognize our sin so that our Love for Christ might cause our hearts to overflow with tears of worship.
The section about John reminds me of a quote (I think it's by Oswald Chambers but I'm not sure) "Never doubt in the darkness what God has revealed to you in the light" simple - so encouraging - I've discovered it's a good one to keep in your mind bank =)
ReplyDeleteoh and that last section - possibly one of my very favorite stories in the NT.