Hey Gang,
We began a 5 week series a couple weeks ago entitled, "It's a Miracle!" Our study is about some of the miracles of Jesus and what they reveal about who He is and what He desires to do in us and through us.
How do you find hope in God's power?
When you think of God's power, what do you think of?
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When you are faced with a challenging situation, like a terminal illness or even death itself, how do you lean on Jesus? What does your faith tell you He can do?
This lesson combines two miracles of Jesus. One is healing of the servant of a believing centurion. This Roman officer is one of several centurions who appear favorably in the New Testament. He had a much beloved servant who was sick almost to the door of death. The centurion sent the elders of the Jews to ask Jesus to come and heal his servant. When they found Jesus, they delivered the centurion’s request and told Jesus how the Roman had helped the Jews. Jesus went with them and on the way met the centurion. He said he was unworthy of Jesus’ entering his house. He asked Jesus to simply say the word and his servant would be delivered. The centurion explained that he believed Jesus had the power to issue an order – something he understood in the military. Jesus told His hearers that He had not found such faith among His own people. When the centurion went home, he found the servant well. The next day Jesus was entering Nain and He met a funeral procession coming out. The dead man was the only son of a widow. Jesus was moved with compassion on this grieving mother. He touched the funeral bier and called the dead man back to life. This led to a sense of fear and wonder among the people. They felt that God had visited His people in a great prophet. Word of this miracle spread far and wide.
I. YIELD TO JESUS’ AUTHORITY – LUKE 7:1-10
A Centurion's Faith
When He had concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum. A centurion's slave, who was highly valued by him, was sick and about to die. When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to Him, requesting Him to come and save the life of his slave. When they reached Jesus, they pleaded with Him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy for You to grant this, because he loves our nation and has built us a synagogue." Jesus went with them, and when He was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to tell Him, "Lord, don't trouble Yourself, since I am not worthy to have You come under my roof. That is why I didn't even consider myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be cured. For I too am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under my command. I say to this one, 'Go!' and he goes; and to another, 'Come!' and he comes; and to my slave, 'Do this!' and he does it." Jesus heard this and was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following Him, He said, "I tell you, I have not found so great a faith even in Israel!" When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.
What impressed Jesus about this man? How did he express faith in Jesus? What does it mean for Jesus to have authority over sickness?
- He showed great faith
- People may wonder why Christians don’t see many miracles of healing anymore. Missionaries on foreign fields still see miracles of healing. Are some cultures more willing to see God in miracles, or what? Explore how to hope in Jesus even when a healing miracle does not occur.
So, did Jesus heal the servant because of the centurion’s faith?
What if we have faith in Jesus and pray for a healing that doesn't happen, what should we do then? Could someone not receive healing because of our lack of faith?
- Jesus wants us to have the faith of the centurion. When something or someone amazes Jesus, we should take notice.
What does the centurion teach us about how to approach Jesus in desperate situations?
- Humility and great faith
How would we recognize whether we are acting with great faith?
- The humility of the centurion teaches us that the most faithful people frequently consider themselves the most unworthy before God.
When we come across a wire in a storm or an accident, we steer clear. Why?
- Because we respect the power surging through the power line.
- Do we have this same kind of respect for the power of God?
Points to remember:
1. Jesus has authority, even over sickness and death.
2. We should believe in Jesus and His authority.
3. Faith and love are sometimes found in unexpected people and places. (The centurion, the good Samaritan)
4. Pray for the desperately ill. Never give up hope.
II. SHOW JESUS’ COMPASSION – LUKE 7:11-15
A Widow's Son Raised to Life
Soon afterwards He was on His way to a town called Nain. His disciples and a large crowd were traveling with Him. Just as He neared the gate of the town, a dead man was being carried out. He was his mother's only son, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was also with her. When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said, "Don't cry." Then He came up and touched the open coffin, and the pallbearers stopped. And He said, "Young man, I tell you, get up!" The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.
Nain: is located 6 miles Southeast of Nazareth. The name means "green pastures."
Who asked Jesus to do something about this situation? Why didn’t they? When might people think it’s too late to ask Jesus for help? Is it too late? Why? Why did Jesus raise this young man if no one asked Him to?
Do miracles ultimately depend on our faith? How have you experienced that Jesus helps even when you don’t ask? Why is faith still essential?
So how can we hope when grieving a death or a lasting illness yet to be healed?
This story illustrates salvation. We are all dead in sin, we can do nothing to help ourselves, we can't even ask for help. But God has compassion on us and sent Jesus to raise us to life with Him.
Maybe the miracle is one of compassion. Compassion can be hard to come by. You can’t change anyone else, but you can change yourself. You can choose compassion – actually feel with someone – and show that compassion through practical help rather than selfishness. Maybe Jesus wants us to be a listening ear, and equipping boss, a team player in our job, an empathetic parent, or just a tender spouse.
Jesus doesn’t always raise the dead. He didn’t do it many times when He was on earth, and He doesn’t today. So how can we hope when grieving a death or a lasting illness yet to be healed?
1. We take comfort in Jesus’ compassion. He feels with us.
2. We know that one day we’ll all rise from death to receive bodies that will not have limitations or damage or pain.
3. We recognize there’s more to life than pain. There is relationship and hope and goodness to invest in.
III. GIVE ATTENTION TO GOD – LUKE 7:16-17
Then fear came over everyone, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen among us," and "God has visited His people." This report about Him went throughout Judea and all the vicinity.
What does true fear of God look like today?
- When you and I witness God at work today, in ways both great and small, we should respond with fear that shows itself in grateful obedience.
We have to face desperate situations whether we like it or not. Death and sickness are inevitable. However, we do have a choice in how we face these trials: we can walk together with those around us, or we can isolate ourselves or them.
1 Thessalonians 4:13
We do not have to “grieve like the rest, who have no hope” because we know that Jesus cares for us and has the power to help us face our troubles.
How have you experienced Jesus’ great power and compassion in your life?
I hope everyone has had a blessed week as we continue in this series of lessons on the miracles of Jesus.
I want to thank Paul Mahrle for teaching in my place last week.
See you Sunday!
In His Love,
David & Susan
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