Bible Reading
Luke 7:1-10 “After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.” And 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. Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. For 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.” When 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 such faith.” And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well.”
[01:01:05]Luke 7:11-17 “Soon afterward he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. As 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. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and “God has visited his people!” And this report about him spread through the whole of Judea and all the surrounding country.”
[01:19:34]1 Samuel 17:32-50 “And David said to Saul, “Let no man's heart fail because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him, for you are but a youth, and he has been a man of war from his youth.” But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him. Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.” And David said, “The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you!” Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the LORD saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the LORD's, and he will give you into our hand.” When the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. And David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone and slung it and struck the Philistine on his forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. There was no sword in the hand of David.”
[57:23]Observation questions
- What details show why the centurion would have been an unexpected person for Jewish elders to defend and for Jesus to help? [01:01:34]
- What reasons do the Jewish elders give for calling the centurion worthy, and what do those reasons reveal about his relationship with the Jewish community? [01:04:46]
- What words and actions show the centurion’s humility and his confidence in Jesus’ authority?
- In the account at Nain, what losses has the widow experienced, and how do the two crowds create a picture of life meeting death? [01:19:55]
Interpretation questions
- Jesus had just taught people to love their enemies, and then He responded with compassion toward a Roman centurion. What does this connection show about what love for enemies looks like in real life? [01:06:33]
- The centurion understood human military authority, yet he believed Jesus could heal with only a word. What did he understand about Jesus that others in Israel may have missed? [01:11:51]
- Jesus calls the centurion’s faith remarkable, while the crowd at Nain calls Jesus a great prophet. Why does Luke keep drawing attention to the difference between seeing Jesus as a prophet and receiving Him as Lord? [01:27:17]
- Jesus touches the open coffin even though death would normally bring ceremonial uncleanness. What does this reveal about Jesus’ power when He enters places marked by loss, pain, or death? [01:24:01]
Application questions
- Is there a person or group you have quietly written off because of their background, beliefs, politics, history, or the way they have treated you? What might compassion toward them look like this week? [01:07:11]
- Where have you noticed “breadcrumbs” that may point to God at work—an open door, a repeated burden, a conversation, or an unexpected opportunity? What would one wise and faithful next step look like? [01:07:53]
- What normal pattern, routine, or expectation may be keeping you from noticing a new thing God is doing in this season? How can you remain grounded in Scripture while also staying open to His interruptions? [01:18:05]
- The centurion brought a serious need to Jesus but did not try to control how Jesus would respond. What area of your life needs that kind of trust in Jesus’ authority right now? [01:10:34]
- What “open coffin” are you carrying—a place of sickness, grief, trauma, disappointment, broken relationship, or fear that feels final? What would it mean to welcome Jesus into that specific place rather than keeping Him at a distance? [01:25:33]
- Jesus does not merely offer good advice; He is Lord. In what practical area—your choices, relationships, finances, work, habits, or future—are you being invited to let Jesus lead more fully? [01:28:05]
