Jesus Christ: 14th Journey
Jesus has journeyed now through Capernaum and Galilee several times; however, after leaving the mountain, He decides to stop back at Capernaum. We read in the Bible in Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10.
Note: A “centurion” was a Roman officer commander of a hundred soldiers, similar to “captain” in our modern days.
As Jesus was back in Capernaum, a Roman centurion asks Jesus to heal one of his servants that was dying (of palsy and tormenting). Jesus agreed to heal him; however, the centurion was unsure to have Jesus at his house, for he operated in a system of authority where he simply gave commands and it was done.
Therefore, he did not want Jesus to feel like this officer was commanding him. However, Jesus carried the authority of God and needed to say only the word, and the servant would be healed.
Jesus even saw the Roman’s faith, which was more than the Jews were. He used this very incident to warn the Jews that many of them would be left out of God’s Kingdom; however, Gentiles from countries everywhere scattered would be included, because of their faith.
What can we learn from this?
Just as this centurion concerned himself with his servant’s wellbeing, we should concern ourselves for our children and helpers, especially if they are physically or spiritually sick. We should be bringing them to Christ by faith and prayer, and observe the Lord’s Grace over them as He helps them.
Note the way that the centurion pleads to Christ, as if he is serving Christ as his Master, to which, we should be the same way in pleading unto God is that He is our Master. Many people will attempt to command the Lord to do this and to do that, as if we’re masters of Him; however, this is not the case, for He is our Master!
We do what He says to do. If we want to command healing over someone, we do it by the direction of the Master, not the direction of us. It comes down vertically from above, not from below to above. We may send our prayers up there, but they better be humble as to God’s Will, and not to our own wills.
We may all wish for total success, empowerment, total health, etc.; however, God knows what is best for us more than what we do. In the centurion’s case, he was searching for the healer and found Him, to which, the Word healed his servant!
The master of this servant obtained approval of his faith, and therefore, helped his servant become healed by the Great Healer. The healing of our bodies and souls is evidence of our faith in Jesus Christ, in that, no matter what we do; Christ will always be there for us!
Widow's son healed
We begin to which Jesus is journeying from Capernaum to Nain, and then goes to other parts of Galilee. We are reading in Luke 7:11-18.
The town of Nain was a humble, small village north of Capernaum that has a beautiful view across the plain to Carmel and over the Nazareth hills past Tabor. Even the white peak of Hermon can be seen glistening in the sun! The village was once prosperous, but fell economically, and is now a wee hamlet.
Jesus went into a city called Nain. Many of His Disciples and many people went with Him. They met a funeral procession and Jesus raised a widow’s son to life. Fear came upon everyone and the rumor that a great Prophet was risen up among them went forth throughout all Judea and roundabout.
In the town just north of Capernaum called Nain, Jesus helps a widow’s son to life again. In this case, He did not do it on a request, but He went Himself, because He felt pity for this woman.
With her husband and her only son dead, she was possibly to deal with hardship and poverty for the rest of her life, and therefore, Jesus stopped the funeral and resurrected her son back to her!
What can we learn from this?
Here is one proof that Christ has power over death in the raising of the widow’s son. The Gospel call to all people, especially younger ones or lost ones, is to arise from the dead (the deadness of your sins) and come to life in Jesus Christ! He will give you Life and Life more abundantly!
If we’re ever in any chance to bring someone to Christ who we know or might know that is spiritually dead, we should try so, because Christ is able to work through us at any time to bring people from death to life!
It is important that we do so that we can help people have life and have it more abundantly. It is our duty as Christians to bring people from darkness into His Marvelous Light through the Power of Jesus Christ and His Will!
Two messengers sent from John the Baptist
We begin where two messengers are sent to Jesus from John the Baptist. We read of this in Matthew 11:2-19; Luke 7:18-35, where Jesus is still around Galilee. John the Baptist was the son of Zacharias and Elisabeth born about six months before Christ was.
Being in prison, John the Baptist didn’t know much about Jesus’ Ministry, which, likely upset him. Some reports he thought to be inaccurate, and some reports made John ponder if Jesus was really the Messiah he foretold.
However, Jesus sent word to him that He was ministering relief to the oppressed, which was foretold of Jesus the Messiah in the Old Testament. Of course, this was not the typical Messiah; one to bring political victories as the old messiahs would of the Old Times. Jesus, therefore, promised a special blessing for those who understood His Ministry and did not lose heart.
To prevent people from speaking harsh of John, because of the questioning, Jesus remarked many things of John the Baptist:
- He was great
- Was not weak in character
- Was not uncertain of himself
- Was not easily swayed by people’s opinions
- Did not seek comfort
- Did not seek prestige, power, awards, etc.
- He was a Prophet as many of the Prophets who endured hardship
- A man of endurance.
Nonetheless, John was the last and greatest predecessor Prophet before the Messiah; however, because he belonged to that era, he is less blessed than the humblest believer that enters the Messiah’s Kingdom.
In preparing the way for the Messiah and the entrance of the Kingdom of God, John was the “Elijah” of whom the Prophet Malachi spoke of (Malachi 4:5).
Those that believed and obeyed the preaching of John were pleased to hear Jesus’ remarks of him; however, the religious leaders that hated John couldn’t care less, to which, they were just even angrier.
Jesus turns His attention to the people of His day, to which, they are as many children playing in the streets with no cares. A lively wedding game or a slower funeral game would not be satisfying. The Jews were like such children, who criticized John, because he followed strict rules about food and drink, and lived as a hermit would in the desert.
After that, they criticized Jesus, because He had no rules on food and drink, and would honestly and proudly associate with disreputable people in their regions. However, God had a purpose in sending John and Jesus in their separate callings and styles. God’s Wisdom did have proof in the changed lives of those who accepted their messages.
What can we learn from this?
The Messiah’s “political victories” that He was supposed to have were not physical, Earthly victories; rather, they were Kingdom of God victories, ones that won souls for the Kingdom of God. This is His Ministry to be understood of helping people pass from death to Life, sin to Righteousness, darkness to Light, etc. He also asked John to trust Him, and we should be doing the same in trusting Him!
In addition, when people make remarks about us, persecute us, etc., Jesus will be there to defend us and call us what we truly are, to which, we are Righteous in Him! The multitudes are unconcerned about what happens to their souls; however, we must attend to God’s Word and build up our souls, so that we can help save those that are dying!
Unbelief is all around us, and there are plenty of people to save. Those who believe in Christ, their faith will be found to be praiseworthy of honor and glory to God—which is a sweet-smelling savor to God!
