Two men of authority! Let's observe the centurion first. Matthew's Gospel speaks of the centurion coming to ask Jesus, yet Luke shows us that it was, in fact, leaders of the Jews speaking on his behalf. Matthew gives us his words conveyed. Luke adds a very important personal dimension to what we know of this man. Luke tells us that this Roman centurion had built the local synagogue for the Jews. He was obviously rich, but he was also generous and he had won the hearts of the local Jewish leaders. This man was obviously a diplomat of the first order, in the way had he carried out his duties. Yet he has a problem, his servant who he thought so much of, was very ill.

We next see this man's humility. He sees himself merely as a Roman and not worthy to have Jesus come into his home. But then we see he is also a man of faith – he believes in Jesus, he knows in himself that just as he is a man of authority who can command and it is done, so Jesus can do the same. This is sufficient for him and it is sufficient for Jesus. This level of faith is greater than any that Jesus has encountered so far in Israel . The outcome is simply that Jesus decrees health (implied) and the servant is made well.

D. Application:

1. Humility

A rich but humble man! Can we maintain humility when we are affluent or hold positions of importance?

2. A man of understanding and faith!

Do we have this man's depth of understanding about Jesus and trust in him?

Chapter: Luke 7

Passage: Luke 7:11-17

A. Find Out:

1. Where did Jesus next go and with whom? v.11

2. What did they encounter as they came near? v.12

3. What did Jesus say and do? v.13,14

4. What happened as a result? v.15

5. What was the response in the crowd? v.16

6. What was the response in the area? v.17

B. Think:

1. Look up Nain on a map. What does this say about Jesus' ministry?

2. What do you think it was that moved Jesus to act?

3. What effect do you think this would have on Jesus ministry?

C. Comment:

We were told earlier (4:43) that Jesus travelled around Galilee , and this is a record of one of the things that happened on those travels. Nain is in the southern half of Galilee .

Observe first the MOTIVATION of this miracle. Here is a widow and her only son has just died, her son who would probably be her main means of support now she has no husband. There are many people with her - she is well known and liked. Jesus arrives and is either told about her or instinctively knows about her, and is moved by compassion. He doesn't just act, he first of all speaks to the woman to reassure her. Again and again Luke picks up the personal touches. Jesus is first concerned with people. Compassion was so often the motivation that moved Jesus to act on behalf of others.

Next observe the METHOD: Jesus comes to the coffin and stops the procession and then simply issues a command. There is a sense of order and purpose in his actions. He knows his authority and acts confidently.

Finally observe the EFFECT: when the young man is brought back to life there is a twofold response. First there is awe, the recognition that God is there, moving sovereignly. Then there is praise, outright expression of delight, and of course the word spreads!

D. Application:

1. Jesus is first of all concerned with people.

Do we realise that Jesus has this level of care and compassion for US?

2. Moved by Compassion?

Jesus feels for us and is moved by compassion. Do we have similarl compassion for those around us in need?

Chapter: Luke 7

Passage: Luke 7:18-23

A. Find Out:

1. What did John do? v.18,19

2. What did the men do? v.20

3. What had Jesus been doing? v.21

4. So what 6 things did he say to tell John about? v.22

5. What was his closing comment? v.23

B. Think:

1. What reasons might there be for John sending his people?

2. How was Jesus' answer a summary of his ministry?

3. What do you think he's saying in verse 23?

C. Comment:

We come to an interesting episode that could be taken one of two ways. Let's first observe the facts of what happened: John the Baptist sent some of his followers with a question about who Jesus was. Jesus answered by pointing to his activities.

Now there is an overriding question that must be in our minds: why did John do it? There are, perhaps, two possibilities: first, that in prison he genuinely was doubting what the whole thing was about or, second, knowing his own ministry had come to an end, wanted in a subtle way to now point his own followers on to Jesus and the best way to do that was to get them to go to Jesus to see and hear for themselves.

If we assume the former situation, then Jesus' final comment would mean, “and it would be good, John, if you don't fall away into doubt because of me, but instead believe what you've been told about what I am doing and are able to see that, yes, I am the coming one.” If we assume the latter case, then Jesus words are meaning, “Yes, that's great John, that you are not falling away in your believe of me, you are much blessed.”

We cannot be certain of the situation, because we are not given the detail. All we do know is that elsewhere in the Gospels Jesus praises and extols John. There is no indication from Jesus that John fell away in unbelief. May we not either!

D. Application:

1. John was sent to prepare the way for Jesus.

May we do the same with the people near us. Do we?

2. Harsh circumstances can raise doubts.

Beware the pressure of difficult circumstances. In such times we need to reinforce our faith, not let it be weakened.

Chapter: Luke 7

Passage: Luke 7:24-30

A. Find Out:

1. What question did Jesus ask the crowd three times? v.24-26

2. What 3 possibilities did he put up as answers? 24-26

3. What did Jesus say John was? v.26b,27

4. What did Jesus then say about John - and us? v.28

5. Who accepted this and why? v.29

6. Who rejected this and why? v.30

B. Think:

1. How did Jesus focus the crowd on John?

2. What was Jesus' final assessment of John?

3. Why do you think there were two different reactions to all this?

C. Comment:

Jesus now asks the crowd about John the Baptist. Why had they gone out to him originally? Was he just a figure being swayed by the latest Jewish fervour for a Messiah, but who would not last? No! Had they been attracted by John's finery and impressiveness? Definitely not! Was he just a prophet then, was that what attracted them? Partly! But he was more than “just” a prophet, he was the prophet prophesied of old who would prepare the way for the Messiah.

Then Jesus says something remarkable. Of anyone “born of a woman”, i.e. born naturally, John was the greatest. Why? Because his role was to usher in the Son of God. But then he says the really remarkable thing: anyone in the kingdom of God is greater than John. How can that be? Because we now know that anyone born again of the Spirit of God (for that is what brings someone into God's kingdom), has had their sins forgiven and has been made a child of God (Jn 1:12, 1Jn 3:1). THAT is the wonder of our position today that John did not know about or could not experience.

The responses of the people to Jesus saying these things is interesting. Those who had already accepted John accepted Jesus' words, while those who had rejected John now rejected Jesus' words. Hearts were being revealed.

D. Application:

1. My position today

As a Christian today, do I realise that I am greater than John, that I am a child of God.

2. Open hearted?

Is my heart open to receive the messengers of God, in whatever form they come?

Chapter: Luke 7

Passage: Luke 7:30-35

A. Find Out:

1. What is Jesus' next starting question? v.31

2. What did he say they were like? v.32a

3. What had they, in effect, been saying? v. 32b

4. What had they said about John the Baptist? v.33

5. What did they then say about Jesus? v.34

6. So what principle does he declare? v.35

B. Think:

1. How had the people complained about John?

2. How had they made the opposite complaint about Jesus?

3. What point is Jesus making in all this?

C. Comment:

Jesus had been talking about John the Baptist and, recognising the various complaints that are coming, especially from the religious leaders, he now turns and highlights the foolishness of these varying opinions about John and himself.

He first of all compares them to the children playing in the market place who are never content. One minute they are all bubbly and complain because others won't join in, the next they are all mournful and complain because others don't feel as they did. We're like that – fickle and changeable!

Then Jesus compares the people's reactions to John and to himself. When John came they complained they he was too austere, even a fanatic. When Jesus came they complained they he was too light hearted and frivolous. The reality was that these religious leaders, the scribes and Pharisees of verse 30, would never be happy with anything other than that which they originated. Their form of religion was all they could accept; their minds were closed to both John and Jesus. In fact they were rejecting the purpose of God for that generation. It's all right, he concludes, true wisdom will be vindicated by the children we bring forth, see the outworking of our ministries and judge accordingly.

D. Application:

1. A Critical Heart?

Such a heart ALWAYS find fault. It's not that others are wrong but this person's heart is wrong from the outset. Am I critical?

2. Fruitful?

Let's not judge or criticise, let's just watch for good fruit. Not only that, let's ensure WE bring forth good 'fruit'.

Chapter: Luke 7

Passage: Luke 7:36-43

A. Find Out:

1. Where did Jesus go next and why? v.36

2. What happened there? v37,38

3. What did the Pharisee think? v.39

4. What story did Jesus tell? v.41,42a

5. What question did he ask at the end of it? v.42b

6. What was the Pharisee's answer? v.43

B. Think:

1. What do you think was the first remarkable thing in these events?

2. What was the second remarkable thing in them?

3. How did Jesus use this as a teaching situation?

C. Comment:

So far we have only seen the Pharisees criticising Jesus, but now one of them invites Jesus to a meal - and Jesus goes! Even knowing that this Pharisee was likely to be critical of him, Jesus goes. That is the first remarkable thing about this passage. Jesus was open to all people, even those who start out being critical of him.

Next, while the dinner is going on, a woman comes in and starts pouring perfume over Jesus' feet. That's not the problem! The problem is WHO she is. She is someone well known for her immorality, and as such she would be one strongly condemned by the Pharisees. Simon, the Pharisee who had invited Jesus sees this happening and starts thinking negative thoughts about Jesus. Now Jesus understood his thoughts and before he had a chance to say anything, Jesus tells a story.

In the story Jesus portrays two debtors who are forgiven. He then simply asks Simon which of the debtors would be most grateful, and Simon correctly answers the one with the bigger debt cancelled. The implication of this story in respect of the woman is obvious. She was a BIG sinner and therefore when she receives forgiveness, feels doubly grateful and has expressed it very obviously. The implications of that are also obvious and we'll see them in the next study.

D. Application:

1. Open to Others?

Can I be open to others, even when they are critical of me?

2. Open to sinners?

Am I open to the “sinners” (as i see them) around me like Jesus was?

3. Forgiven

Do I appreciate the wonder of having been forgiven? Do I have a joy in being one of God's forgiven children?

Chapter: Luke 7

Passage: Luke 7:44-50

A. Find Out:

1. What had the woman done? v.44c,45b,46b

2. What hadn't Simon done? v.44b,45a,46a

3. What had happened to her? v.47

4. How does Jesus reassure her? v.48

5. What did provoke others to ask? v.49

6. What does Jesus declare to her? v.50

B. Think:

1. How had the woman blessed Jesus?

2. Why, according to Jesus, had she done it?

3. What is the greatest motivator for change?

C. Comment:

We need to understand the order of things here if we are to understand what is happening. In the previous parable Jesus indicated that the one who is forgiven most will love most. This woman had previously been a well-known immoral woman, yet now she comes to Jesus expressing great love and thankfulness. The assumption we must come to is that Jesus has already encountered her and forgiven her; what takes place here is as a result of that and a confirmation of that.

She comes and blesses Jesus. Simon, the Pharisee, objects to her presence and so Jesus gently scolds him. Simon hadn't cared for Jesus in the same way she had, and he needs to understand why she acted as she did. Perhaps verse 47 should be understood to mean “the way she has just expressed so much love indicates that she realises how much she has been forgiven by me.” To reassure her in the face of Simon's accusations, Jesus confirms that yes, she had been forgiven, it was all right. Her actions had been actions of faith and they had simply confirmed what had happened in her and revealed her salvation. She could go at peace with God and not worrying about what religious men might say in their lack of understanding! These reassurances leave the other guests wondering - as so they should do! Hard hearted lack of understanding needs challenging!

D. Application:

1. Motivated to change.

Have forgiveness and love been the two greatest motivators for change in my life? If not, perhaps I've never yet received them.

2. Love Expressed

Am I able to forgive and love others as jesus forgives and loves me? How we act reveals the state of our heart and love for Jesus.

RECAP: "Human Interaction - all about People" Luke 7

SUMMARY:

In this second group of 7 studies we have seen :

- The Centurion with faith

- Jesus raising a young man from the dead.

- John the Baptist's disciples coming to Jesus.

- Jesus challenging the crowd about John

- Jesus at Pharisee Simon's house, anointed

- Jesus teaching on gratefulness

COMMENT :

This chapter has been full of encounters with people. First, a wise Centurion and his Jewish-elder friends. Then a mother with her dead son. Next disciples of John the Baptist. Then the Jewish crowd . Finally a forgiven woman and a critical Pharisee.

When you list them like this you see the variety of people. They start with a faith-filled Gentile and finish with a faith-absent Jew. We might have expected it to be round the other way! Interestingly most of the encounters involve two individuals or groups: Centurion and elders, mother & son, John & disciples, Pharisee and sinner. An interesting chapter!

LESSONS?

1. Can our power & authority be tempered with humility?

2. Are we moved by compassion and care for people?

3. Our role is to point people towards Jesus.

4. Are our hearts tainted by criticism of others?

5. Are we aware of how much we've been forgiven?

6. Does that release a life of thankfulness in us?

PRAY :

Thank the Lord for the wonder of his forgiveness and the goodness of the life her has given you.

PART 3 : "The Diversity of Jesus Ministry "

In the next chapter we will see the amazing diversity of Jesus ministry. There will be teaching, a major miracle, a major deliverance, a faith healing and a raising from the dead. It is as if Luke is stacking up the evidence pointing towards Jesus in an ever bigger pile. If the last chapter was ‘interesting', this next one is absolutely amazing!