First, Jesus heals a centurion’s servant, marveling at the centurion’s great faith. Next, He raises a widow’s son from the dead in Nain, prompting awe and glorification of God among the people. As news of these miracles spreads, John the Baptist, from prison, sends his disciples to ask Jesus if He is the one to come. Jesus responds by pointing to his His miracles and preaching as evidence of His messianic identity.
The Rev. Dr. Curtis Deterding, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Fort Myers, FL, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Luke 7:1-35.
The Gospel of Luke, filled with rich narratives and detailed accounts, offers an inspired and historical perspective on the life and teachings of Jesus. Emphasizing Jesus’ concern for the poor, outcasts, and social justice, this Gospel narrates parables and miracles that underscore the theme of God’s salvation for all people. Luke’s account is unique in its inclusion of the birth of John the Baptist, the parable of the Good Samaritan, and the story of the Prodigal Son, culminating in a vivid portrayal of Jesus’ death and resurrection, affirming the universal offer of redemption. This Gospel serves as an invitation to understand the depth of God’s love and the breadth of His grace extended to humanity through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations.
Thy Strong Word is graciously underwritten by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation. Through the mission gifts of people like you, LHF translates, publishes, distributes and introduces books that are Bible-based, Christ-centered and Reformation-driven. Learn more at lhfmissions.org.
Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant
7After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people,he entered Capernaum.2Now a centurion had a servant[a]who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him.3When the centurion[b]heard about Jesus,he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant.4And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying,“He is worthy to have you do this for him,5for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built usour synagogue.”6And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord,do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof.7Therefore I did not presume to come to you. Butsay the word, and let my servant be healed.8For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”9When Jesus heard these things,he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said,“I tell you, not even in Israel have I found suchfaith.”10And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well.
Jesus Raises a Widow’s Son
11Soon afterward[c]he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him.12As he drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out,the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her.13And when the Lord saw her,he had compassion on her andsaid to her,“Do not weep.”14Then he came up and touchedthe bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said,“Young man, I say to you,arise.”15And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus[d]gave him to his mother.16Fear seized them all, andthey glorified God, saying,“A great prophet has arisen among us!” and“God has visited his people!”17And this report about him spread through the whole of Judea and all the surrounding country.
Messengers from John the Baptist
18The disciples of John reported all these things to him. And John,19calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are you the onewho is to come, orshall we look for another?”20And when the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you the onewho is to come, orshall we look for another?’”21In that hourhe healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, andon many who were blind he bestowed sight.22And he answered them,“Go and tell John what you have seen and heard:the blind receive their sight, the lame walk,lepers[e]are cleansed, andthe deaf hear,the dead are raised up,the poor have good news preached to them.23And blessed is the one who isnot offended by me.”
24When John’s messengers had gone, Jesus[f]began to speak to the crowds concerning John:“What did you go outinto the wilderness to see?A reed shaken by the wind?25What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are dressed in splendid clothing and live in luxury are in kings’ courts.26What then did you go out to see?A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.27This is he of whom it is written,
“‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way before you.’
28I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”29(When all the people heard this, andthe tax collectors too, they declared God just,[g]having been baptized withthe baptism of John,30but the Pharisees andthe lawyersrejectedthe purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.)
31“To what then shall I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like?32They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another,
“‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’
33For John the Baptist has comeeating no bread anddrinking no wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’34The Son of Man has comeeating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard,a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’35Yetwisdom is justified by all her children.”
