Hope Discovered
Luke 7:1-17
“A great prophet has risen among us, and God has taken note of His people (v. 16).” This is the proclamation Luke makes in 7:1-17, declaring the hope discovered in the character and work of Jesus.
In verses 1-10, a delegation of Jewish elders approached Jesus on behalf of a Roman centurion. This military leader was surely Gentile (a Latin equivalent of the biblical Hebrew word “goy,” indicating a non-Israelite), most likely was a God-fearer (a sympathizer to Judaism, but not a total convert), and had earned the respect of the Jewish community in which he lived. They asked Jesus to heal a dying servant whom the centurion dearly loved.
This is the first time in Luke’s Gospel that Jesus responded to the need of a Gentile. Although the Hebrew elders tried to impress upon Jesus the centurion’s worthiness, his worth was not what impressed Jesus.
As Jesus accompanied the elders to the centurion’s home, Jesus encountered a second delegation who expressed the centurion’s firm belief in Jesus’ ability to heal his servant without being physically present. Jesus was amazed, not by the centurion’s merit, but rather by his faith – the kind of faith he had not even found among the chosen people of God. Hope is found in faith, not entitlement.
After healing the servant, Jesus traveled to a southern town in Galilee called Nain. This is the only place in the New Testament where the town is mentioned. He approached the gate as a funeral procession came out. The deceased was a widow’s son. Death took her only son and her only means of support. Like the centurion’s faith, the widow’s need moved Jesus to revive the man’s life.
Jesus’ action, reminiscent of Elijah’s (1 Kings 17:8-24), demonstrated that hope comes from a God who takes note of people’s plight and moves on their behalf.
More than a prophet, Jesus is the God who acts upon unwavering faith and unfathomable need. He is God in the flesh whose presence changes everything. He takes note of our struggle, our ups and downs, and gives us hope.
Jesus is also the Lord of Life who calls his followers to act upon their unwavering faith to demonstrate the hope he brings to a world of need. How will you share God’s hope in a suffering world through your words and your deeds?
Scudder– Lessons in the BSL series for the fall quarter are being written by Steve Scudder, former director of missions for Savannah River Association.