Luke Chapter 7.

Luke Chapter 7.

           

The Centurion's faith.  7:1-10.  The centurion was a Gentile and, though not a proselyte, he was a "God-fearer."  He greatly respected the Jewish people and their religion, and had at his own expense, built them a synagogue.  He showed the fruit of a genuine religious faith in his tender regard for his slave, his respect for religion and authority, and above all, in his humility.  His faith was excellent and wholesome, and he displayed these fine qualities.

 *  His humility.   As a Gentile, he owned his place outside of Israel and came to the Jewish elders to help him. (see Eph.2:11-13).  The believing Gentile will always hold Israel in respect, through whom, salvation has come to the Gentiles. (Jn.4:22).  The Gentile is afar off, and without any claim upon God.  He must be humble. (see Rom.11:20).  He was aware of the distance between Jesus and himself.  It was polluting for a Jew to enter the house of a Gentile, and the centurion felt how much more so, that a Jew as Jesus would enter the house of one so unworthy as he.

 *  His Faith.   He believed Jesus could heal though absent bodily.  Nowhere in Israel, had Jesus found anyone willing to believe that He could heal except when personally present.  No Jew had shown such great faith.  He believed in the authoritative word of Jesus which commands every distance and barrier.  He was certain that Jesus by His word could marshall healing powers at a distance.  Jesus need only speak the word, and it is done.  He has authority over diseases and distance.  This case of Jesus healing at a distance in response to the faith of a man who had never seen Him, was a new feature in the ministry of Jesus.

 *  The Universalism of Faith.  As a soldier, the centurion had learned the power of the word of command by which men can be directed to accomplish things at a distance.  Jesus could command unseen powers at a distance.  Jesus comes to all men by His authoritative word.  (see Rom.10:7-10).  He came to the Jews in Person, but now comes to all men through the preaching of the Word.  The faith that receives Jesus through His Word, exceeds the faith that requires sight. (see Jn.20:29).  His faith anticipates that of believing Gentiles everywhere, who are saved by faith in Christ, though He is not personally present.  Jesus extended His ministry on a few occasions to the Gentiles, but now, through the preaching of His death and resurrection, He becomes available to all who believe.

           

The Widow of Nain.  7:11-17.  Nain was situated between Endor and Shunem.  At Shunem Elisha raised the widow's son.  It is significant that on the occasion of telling this incident, that Jesus' proves his authority over life and death.  Luke for the first time refers to Him as "the Lord."

           

The Baptist's Messengers.  7:18-23. John may have been impatient with the progress Jesus had made.  Jesus did not operate to fulfil the programme that John had anticipated the Messiah would fulfil.

           

Christ's estimate of John the Baptist.  7:24-28.  John was a prophet, and more than a prophet, since He was the herald and precursor of Christ,  that the Scripture said would come to prepare the way of the Messiah.  Though John was the greatest of men, yet the new order of the Kingdom was so very great, that the least Christian would be more greatly privileged than John.  Such then, is the privilege to be a member of the Kingdom.

           

The Opinions of the Jews.  7:29-30.  The twofold response to John's message.

           

The Jews Unreasonableness.  7:31-36.  They were like peevish children who do not know what they want.   Such Jewish perversity was like the pettiness of children.  However, all who accept John's testimony concerning Christ shall be vindicated and shall prove the righteousness of God's wisdom, revealed in His saving purpose.

           

.  7:36-50.   The transforming power of the forgiveness of sins is apparent.  The Pharisee represented a religious man with little love and compassion.  His hospitality to Jesus was cold and formal, lacking the normal courtesies.  His cold politeness was due to his shallow experience of forgiveness.  The religious man who knows little of his own sinfulness and forgiveness has little gratitude.  Pharisaic religion cannot discern who Jesus is, nor His friendliness to sinners.

           

The woman whom forgiveness had changed, had been a sinner in the city.  Probably a prostitute.  She must have felt the wretchedness of this life and yearned for something better.  The message of Jesus, had brought forgiveness for her.  She learned that the love of God for her, was greater than her love of sin.  She came to show her devotion and gratitude.  She intended to do this by anointing His feet with ointment (oil of myrrh).  She was not turned away by Simon, who would think she had come to Him, and this privilege wasn't permitted to the poor.

           

However, at the feet of Jesus she was completely overcome by her feelings.  She kissed His feet repeatedly and affectionately.  She wet His feet with tears, and used her hair as a towel to dry them.  It was a shameful thing for a Jewess to let down her hair in public, but she makes this sacrifice.  Once she had little shame, but now that her heart had been touched by love that lifts, there was awakened within her a new feeling of respect for human conventions, but by these newly awakened sentiments, she was prepared to lay at her Lord's feet.  Devoted love gives to all things a dignity that mere formality knows nothing about.

           

Jesus Reproves the Pharisee.  The Lord first asks for permission of his host to speak.  Jesus proves His unique authority by exposing the unbelief and censoriousness of the Pharisee's heart.  He was certainly a prophet, and greater than a prophet.  Jesus tactfully shows the Pharisee that his coldness to his guest proved the shallowness of his experience of forgiveness.  His cold formality could not discern the truth concerning Christ.  The true discernment of Jesus' Person, belongs to such who know the experience of sins forgiven.  A warm heart gets to the heart of the matter.  Simon failed to discern that the Lord Jesus is the Centre of our devotion and gratitude, for through Him is mediated forgiveness.  The logic of this parable is that the woman must have had many debts remitted since she shows so much gratitude.

           

Jesus reproves Simon with a parable.  The parable of the "two debtors", teaches that those who have been forgiven much, will love much.  Simon in his estimation had little to be forgiven, so had little love in his heart.  The hollowness of his religion is exposed at the heart.  True religion is an attitude of the heart.  It should have been adequate proof to Simon, that Jesus was a prophet, because of His ability to expose the heart.

           

Jesus Commends the Woman.   He publically testifies to her experience of forgiveness.  The woman had felt forgiven in her heart before she came, but now Jesus testifies that she is forgiven, for He has authority to forgive sins.  To her, Jesus was greater than a prophet.  She may not have known how to describe Him, but He had brought to her heart the forgiveness of God.  He assures her of salvation on account of her faith.  So faith is really the root, and love the fruit.

           

He bestows the benediction of peace.  This Hebrew form of salutation and benediction meant not only tranquility, but life in its wholeness.  The story exposes the emptiness of mere respectable religion, by showing the excellency of the love, that only those forgiven much, have for Christ,  Jesus values this above all else.  The story puts the Lord, along with faith and love for Him, at the centre of the religious life.  In a quiet way, the story makes us feel that Jesus must always be at the heart of things, occupying the devotion of the heart and holding the central place in all our religious experiences.  He alone can authoritatively convey to our hearts the assurance of forgiveness, He is Lord of the heart.