Sunday, October 6, 2024  

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Today's Scripture
Luke 7:1–17

After Jesus had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. A centurion there had a slave whom he valued highly, and who was ill and close to death. When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave. When they came to Jesus, they appealed to him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy of having you do this for him, for he loves our people, and it is he who built our synagogue for us.” And Jesus went with them, but when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; therefore I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed. For I also 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 slave, ‘Do this,’ and the slave does it.” When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, he said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.

Soon afterwards he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow; and with her was a large crowd from the town. When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, rise!” The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized all of them; and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen among us!” and “God has looked favorably on his people!” This word about him spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding country. (NRSV)

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Reflection

This passage hit home for me in a number of ways. We learn of two very remarkable events: the healing of a centurion’s servant and the raising of a widow’s son. These both show us the compassion of Jesus and the importance of our own faith and humility.

The centurion, an authority figure and powerful man, sought humility, valuing his servant over himself. Humility can be a challenge for us at times, as can our faith. Not only was the centurion humble, but he had faith that Jesus could heal.

In the second part of the reading, Jesus encounters a funeral procession. The widow is mourning the death of her son and dealing with the fact that she has lost the support structure in her life. I’m sure she was probably struggling with her faith in that moment, but Jesus came through her sadness and the pain to raise her son.

Are there parts of our lives where we need to exercise more humility and faith? I know that I have plenty of areas that need improvement, and it’s a daily practice for me to work on. It is easy to not feel worthy of how God works in our lives, but we must remember it’s all about God’s grace and love for us.

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Prayer
Gracious God, thank you for the compassion that you show me in my darkest moments. Help me to trust in your power to bring hope where it seems nonexistent. Remind me that you care for me and are willing to go through the struggles with me. Help me to show others the love and compassion that you gracefully show me. Amen.

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Written by Briana Belding-Peck, Family Ministry Coordinator

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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