God of Grace
Opening Prayer
Spirit of the Living God, fill me and anoint me so that I might bring Your life to others.
Read Luke 7:1-10
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
[1] When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. [2] There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. [3] The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. [4] When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, [5] because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” [6] So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. [7] That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. [8] For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” [9] When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” [10] Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
How did the centurion demonstrate faith?You might not think of anyone as your enemy, but are there people whose values, lifestyle, culture or beliefs are totally opposite to yours? Jesus taught: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you” (Luke 6:27); then the first miracle Luke writes about is Jesus healing the centurion’s servant. The Romans were an occupying force and this man was a Gentile. Even though he seemed sympathetic to the Jewish cause (5), the centurion would have been an enemy to many of Luke’s readers. Like many people might do today, those asking Jesus to act stress that the centurion “deserves” Jesus’ attention because of his good deeds (4). Jesus shows undeserved love in both words and action. He commends the centurion’s faith (9) because this Roman soldier has realized that his good works don’t earn him Jesus’ attention. He has also recognized Jesus’ authority over sickness. The outcome is that Jesus does good to an “enemy,” the centurion, healing his servant.
Apply
Find a tangible way to bless someone who does not deserve the blessing.
Closing prayer
Jesus, thank You that You respond to those who trust in You, even though we do not deserve Your blessing.
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