God’s Word of Life
Introduction
Luke 7:1-17: A Roman officer sends messengers to Jesus, requesting that he heal his servant; Jesus commends the officer for his faith. Jesus is filled with pity for a widow whose son has died, and he restores her son to life.
Scripture Reading
Jesus Heals a Roman Officer’s Servant
(Matthew 8.5-13)
1When Jesus had finished saying all these things to the people, he went to Capernaum. 2A Roman officer there had a servant who was very dear to him; the man was sick and about to die. 3When the officer heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to ask him to come and heal his servant. 4They came to Jesus and begged him earnestly, “This man really deserves your help. 5He loves our people and he himself built a synagogue for us.”
6So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the officer sent friends to tell him, “Sir, don’t trouble yourself. I do not deserve to have you come into my house, 7neither do I consider myself worthy to come to you in person. Just give the order, and my servant will get well. 8I, too, am a man placed under the authority of superior officers, and I have soldiers under me. I order this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes; I order that one, ‘Come!’ and he comes; and I order my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.”
9Jesus was surprised when he heard this; he turned around and said to the crowd following him, “I tell you, I have never found faith like this, not even in Israel!”
10The messengers went back to the officer’s house and found his servant well.
Jesus Raises a Widow’s Son
11Soon afterward Jesus went to a town named Nain, accompanied by his disciples and a large crowd. 12Just as he arrived at the gate of the town, a funeral procession was coming out. The dead man was the only son of a woman who was a widow, and a large crowd from the town was with her. 13When the Lord saw her, his heart was filled with pity for her, and he said to her, “Don’t cry.” 14Then he walked over and touched the coffin, and the men carrying it stopped. Jesus said, “Young man! Get up, I tell you!” 15The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.
16They all were filled with fear and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us!” they said; “God has come to save his people!”
17This news about Jesus went out through all the country and the surrounding territory.
Today’s Key Verse: Luke 7:16
They all were filled with fear and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us!” they said; “God has come to save his people!”
Reflect
What did the Roman officer say that surprised Jesus? How was the officer described to Jesus (verses 4-5)? What do these verses say about the relationship between the Jewish community and the officer? Can they provide a framework for relationships within our communities today?
Pray
Thank you, Jesus, for your steadfast love and compassion. Faith in you fills my heart with hope and joy. In your holy name, I pray. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Luke 7:18-35: John the Baptist sends messengers to Jesus.