Luke 7

Read Luke 7

Faith cannot begin with our own worthiness. A Gentile commander spoke the truth when he sent this message to Jesus: “I am not worthy to have you come under my roof.” The centurion continued with a second important component of genuine trust in the Almighty: “Say the word, and let my servant be healed.”

The one I-AM is so far above His creatures as to almost defy comparison. Yes, human beings are created in His image, but as Psalm 8:4 insists, “What is man that You are mindful of him?” People may boast about their best intentions to fix themselves and all the world's problems with their lofty promises, but only the Lord is holy, and He alone can speak worlds into being.

Jesus was and is truly divine. He healed from a distance, raised the dead when no one expected life, and fulfilled all the Scriptures about the Messiah in passages like Isaiah 29:18 and Isaiah 35:5-6. As our Lord Himself assured those who reported back to the suffering John the Baptist, “The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them.” His record of achievement was obvious.

In addition to all of these great manifestations of resurrection power, Jesus was also able to forgive sins and produce a life of love for God among those He restored to fellowship with Jehovah.

Religious leaders who were overly certain of their own perfection could not grasp the gospel from His teaching and His miraculous signs. They imagined that He was making foolish errors in receiving the affection of sinners. It was the morally needy who had repented of their transgressions in connection with the baptism of John who understood Jesus best. They were ready to put all their hope in Him, and He “saved” them.

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Father God, You have granted faith to Your servants. We have come to understand that we are unworthy, and that our Messiah is perfect. We are well convinced that Your voice is powerful. When You speak, Your decrees will surely be accomplished. Your Son can even raise the dead. His compassion is warm and generous. Thank You for this deep love. You have visited us in Jesus. He gave sight to the blind, made the lame walk, and preached good news to the poor. We hear that gospel and find abundant riches in Him. We turn to You now and will follow You by Your grace. You know how to save the weak. We will listen to Your Word with respect and with a commitment to obey. Bring fruitful deeds forth from Your children. Help us to serve You in a way that is true to Your plan for redemption. We have been forgiven an enormous debt. We worship You and give our lives to You as Your disciples.