January 31st, 2020
Devotional
“Raising the Widow’s Son”
Luke 7: 1-17
Keep the sermon topic and Biblical text preaching all week by following Pastor Michelle on twitter @tinypastor and reading her sermon blog www.revmichelle.blogspot.com
Monday: “Jewish Elders” - Luke 7: 1-5
Last week, we heard how Jesus was criticized for healing on the Sabbath. What lies in between that experience and this week’s text, was a time of powerful preaching. In the Gospel of Matthew this particular preaching is titled the Sermon on the Mount. But in Luke 6, it bears no such title. However, it contains a lot of the same content. Blessings and woes. Expanding upon what people had previously been taught about the law. And then ends with a striking question, Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I tell you?
It is almost as if Jesus knows what is coming next. For as he is entering into Capernaum, the Jewish elders come to ask him a favor. Their own way of calling “Lord, Lord” but only when it suits them.
In this particular case, they are coming to Jesus to ask for healing on behalf of someone they thinks is worthy of it - a Roman centurion. They are earnest in their request, for he treats them better than most. But it is not lost on those reading through the Gospel, that this is in stark contrast to what has happened in the previous chapter.
What do you think about the Jewish Elder’s request and reasoning?
Prayer: God, we confess that sometimes we start to place people into categories - those who we think are deserving of having their prayers answered and those who are not. Forgive us, O Lord, and teach us again what it means to be those who seek first your Kingdom. Amen.
Tuesday: “Not Worthy” - Luke 7: 6-7
Today another contrast emerges. The Jewish Elders have presented their case about why Jesus should heal the servant of the centurion. He is even headed towards him. But as Jesus approaches the centurion send word that he is not worthy of having Jesus in his house.
The elders had just said all the reasons he was worthy, and now here is the centurion claiming that he is not worthy to have Jesus in his house.
The centurion goes on to say, that if Jesus only speaks, even from afar, the servant can be healed.
The centurion has an honest assessment of the state of his heart. We are not told if he is a God-fearing man, but we are told that he believes in the healing power of Jesus. He knows that Jesus has might and power beyond his comprehension, so he simply lays his heart out before him.
Unlike the Elders who cried “Lord, Lord” to get a favor, the centurion realized that he is not even worthy to call him Lord in the first place.
Do you identify more with the Elders or the centurion? Why?
Prayer: Lord, look into our hearts, we pray. See the places where we let our pride block us from demanding on you. Search out ever corner of our lives, so we can be honest before you, O Lord. Amen.
Wednesday: “Authority” - Luke 7: 8-10
If anyone truly understands authority, its the centurion. He commands armies. He knows what it is like to have people follow his every word. Yet his authority is pale in comparison to Jesus’s. For Jesus has authority even over illness.
Sometimes we toss around the word authority, without truly understanding what it means. The dictionary defines it as the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience. In light of this definition, what does it mean to say that Christ has authority? He is truly Lord of our lives.
Not just when it is convient to cry “Lord, Lord” but even when it is hard. Even when we cannot fully understand. Christ is the one that we follow. Christ alone.
What is an example of the authority Christ has in your life?
Prayer: Almighty God, you are the King of Glory and Lord of our lives. Let these not just be statements we absently make, but truths that we live into daily. Be our Lord, we pray. Amen.
Thursday: “Do Not Weep” - Luke 7: 11-13
If we were scoring Christ on compassionate care at this moment, he probably wouldn’t have done well by our human standards. A widow is grieving the loss of her son. She is crying tears of deep grief. She is probably worrying about where she will go now and who is going to take care of her now that her son, her only son is dead. Yet, Jesus comes up to her and says “do not weep.”
Now, personally, I would not advocate for you to go around telling folks this in their deepest moments of needs. When we tell people not try cry, it is more often then not about our own discomfort then truly consoling them.
But for Jesus these were words of deep compassion, because he knows what comes next. He knows that life will come out of grief. And he wants to offer it to this woman, right here and right now.
When has Jesus transformed your grief for his glory?
Prayer: God of Grace, thank you for manifesting your divine compassion - both to the widow long ago and to us today. Open up our hearts to see what you are doing, Precious Lord. Amen.
Friday: “Rise” - Luke 7: 14-17
Often when you ask folks about the scriptures where Jesus brings someone back from the dead, this is not the one they tell. It’s usually Lazarus, who Jesus brings out of the tombs, death linens and all, even after the point when his body was beginning to smell.
This story is not often told, but in many ways it is just as powerful. For here Jesus looks upon the widow with compassion and tells her son to “Rise”. It is one of the first places in the Gospels we see that death does not have the final word.
When read alongside the story of the centurion, it tells just how much authority Jesus has. Jesus has authority not just over illnesses, but over life itself!
Where are the places in your life where Jesus is inviting you to rise to new life?
Prayer: God, you are constantly creating and re-creating, calling forth new life. Call that forth in us, as well, we pray. Transform us anew! Amen.
Saturday: Preparing for the Word
You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic to prepare for worship: “Are You the One?” - Luke 7:18-35
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