In the warmth and beauty of summer, it’s easy to be distracted, but we are reminded of the importance of faithfulness to God and His people. Reflecting on the legacy of faithful servants like John MacArthur, we see the impact of a life wholly devoted to God’s authority and the maturing of believers. At Crosspoint, we are committed to a process of discipleship that leads to spiritual maturity, emphasizing the necessity of growing in the Word and submitting to God’s structure of authority in every area of life.
Turning to the Gospel of Luke, we encounter two stories of healing that reveal profound truths about God’s ways. The Roman centurion’s faith was not in a formula, but in the authority of Jesus—he recognized that true faith is complete confidence in God’s word, regardless of circumstances. Jesus was amazed by this faith, a faith rooted in humility and submission to authority. This principle of authority is woven throughout creation, family, government, and the church. God’s power is released in our lives when we submit to the authorities He has placed over us, not when we resist them.
The second story, the raising of the widow’s son at Nain, shows that God’s healing is not always a response to faith or a request, but sometimes flows purely from His compassion and grace. The widow did not ask for a miracle; Jesus was simply moved by her suffering. This reminds us that healing is not earned or deserved, nor is it always withheld because of a lack of faith. Sometimes, God’s purposes in suffering are deeper than we can understand.
Scripture makes it clear that while God does heal, He does not promise physical healing to everyone in this life. Even the Apostle Paul, who healed many, was not always healed himself, nor did he heal all those around him. Faith is not a lever to force God’s hand; it is a posture of trust and submission to His will. We are encouraged to pray for healing, seek medical help, trust God’s sovereignty, and allow suffering to draw us nearer to Christ. Ultimately, God’s greatest concern is our spiritual maturity, not our comfort. There is coming a day when all suffering will end, but until then, we rest in His grace, knowing that He gives more grace as our burdens grow greater.
Luke 7:1-17 (ESV) — The Healing of the Centurion’s Servant and the Raising of the Widow’s Son at Nain
> 1 After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum.
> 2 Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him.
> 3 When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant.
> 4 And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him,
> 5 for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.”
> 6 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.
> 7 Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed.
> 8 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.”
> 9 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.”
> 10 And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well.
> 11 Soon afterward he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him.
> 12 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.
> 13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.”
> 14 Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.”
> 15 And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.
> 16 Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and “God has visited his people!”
> 17 And this report about him spread through the whole of Judea and all the surrounding country.
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