The FaithOfJesus2 Daily Devotional

Focus:

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( FaithOfJesus thread begun by rRandyP )

Today's Verse:

kjv@Luke:7:1-10

kjv@Luke:7:1 @ Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum.

kjv@Luke:7:2 @ And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.

kjv@Luke:7:3 @ 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.

kjv@Luke:7:4 @ And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:

kjv@Luke:7:5 @ For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.

kjv@Luke:7:6 @ 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:

kjv@Luke:7:7 @ Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.

kjv@Luke:7:8 @ 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.

kjv@Luke:7:9 @ 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.

kjv@Luke:7:10 @ And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.

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Today's notes:

Context:

• Before - Luke:6:46-49 The Wise and Foolish Builders
  
• After - Luke:7:11-17 Jesus Raises a Widow 's Son
  

Study Resources:

G514 - worthy used by elders
G515 - worth used by centurion

dict:torrey Synagogue

dict:tcr faith

Notes:

We have a Gentile highly respected by the elders because of his love for the Jewish nation and his building the occupied Jews a synagogue. Elders willing to go to Jesus on his behalf. We have a poor in spirit gentile of authority who despite his position, despite all of his good work, despite doing another work on the behalf of a servant (likely Jewish) thinks himself personally not worthy to petition or for visitation, yet believes that Jesus operates in authority similar the command structure he is accustomed to in the military. The faith being recognized is both in the recognition of the authority of Jesus and the personal unworthiness in the same regard despite his many good works and love.

The Pharisees scribes and elders (at least of Jerusalem) frequently questioned Jesus of what authority Jesus did these things (not by their certainly); accused Him of even alliance with the lord of flies. They are likely coming here at the centurion's insistence having failed to heal the servant themselves through their own priest. Their conceptualization presented to Jesus is that of due reward and national identity. This perhaps is as close to acknowledging Jesus as the elders ever got. Jewish scholars today argue whether a centurion would even have the means to build an assembly hall (as if the initial audience of Luke wouldn't have known whether the claim was true); that is as close as they ever get.

Jesus likely would have taught often at this synagogue in Peter/Andrew/John/James home town. These men would like either know of or known direct this centurion and these elders.

The teachings of Jesus throughout the Gospels follow a very consistent Old Testament thread that it is only by the Grace of God not the works of man or reward due those works that determines the worthiness to receive any blessings from God, that the nation was frequently misdirected on this teaching even to the point of being unrepentant and defensive to God. True righteousness is very rare among men and yet every man believes himself to be righteous thus somehow obligating God. It is the consistency of this message of grace juxtaposed atop the typical reaction of men to it that adds much certainty that Jesus is a continuation unto fulfillment of the testament law and prophets.

Key Messages:

Declaring Certainty

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Further Resources:

Comment Board:Luke:7:1-10
index:FAITHOFJESUSDEVOTION - Devotional Index
strkjv@Luke:7:1-10 rwp@Luke:7:1-10 mhcc@Luke:7:1-10
FaithOfJesus2 - Devotion Index

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