Luke Chapter 7

Luke 7:1-10 - The story of the centurion and his slave. In Luke the centurion appears to have never actually comes face to face with Jesus. He sends some Jewish elders to talk to Him. Another interesting point is that the centurion had enough wealth, or power, or influence to build the community a synagogue (verses 4 & 5). According to the NET Bible notes, the word translated as slave in verse 2, doulos, is normally translated servant, but it does not mean one free individual serving another, "bondservant" provides modern readers with a better understanding of the Greek word. In the Matthew account (Mt 8:6) uses the word pais to refer to the centurion's slave. That word was often used to describe a slave who was regarded with some degree of affection, possibly a personal servant. According to blueletterbible.org the word translated "Lord" in verse 6 is kyrios. It is the word used in Mt 1:20, 22 & 24; numerous times in Luke 1:6-17; and many other places in the New Testament. 

Luke 7:11-17 - Raising the widow's son - Verse 11 "his disciples and a large crowd went with him." I think disciples means a lot more people that just the Apostles. Why was the "large crowd" who were not disciples following Him? The body was not in a coffin but probably was being carried on a stretcher/plank to the burial place. Many discussions occur concerning the amount of "faith" one has when considering the likelihood of being "healed" of some physical ailment. I see nothing in this passage about the faith of the dead man, nor his mother.

Luke 7:18-23 - Jesus and John the Baptist - How much time passed between John's baptizing Jesus (Mt 3:13-17, Mk 1:9-11, Lk 3:21-22 & Jn 1:29-34) and this passage (also Mt 11:2-10)? Gotquestions.org says that John may have been in prison for as long as a year when he sent his followers to question Jesus; further it says that John would have been aware that the majority of Jewish leaders were strongly rejecting Jesus. Jesus' response is interesting in that He tells John to focus on the miracles being performed. I'm participating in an online 6 session study of Genesis that is being offered through Hillsdale College. Jesus' reminder to John reminds me of some points from Genesis. Genesis 3:10-19 - Hagar had given up, she accepted that she and her son were going to die. The she heard the "angel of God" and her eyes were opened so that she could see the well of water. Also, Genesis 22:1-14 - Abraham was ready to murder Isaac (there was a lot interesting teaching on this subject) until he heard the "Lord's angel", verse 11. Once he heard the "Lord's angel" his eyes were opened so that he saw the ram. Is it possible that my "eyes" would be open to positive solutions if, during times of discouragement I spent more time focusing on the promises of the Lord?

Perhaps John wondered why, if Jesus was the Christ, that He wasn't "burning up" a little more of the chaff of the day (Lk 3:15-17), maybe similar to Elijah's getting rid of the servants of Baal.

23 - "Blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me." - Interesting.

Luke 7:24-35 - Verses 31 & 32 seem to summarize the meaning of this passage. The religious leaders are being compared to children, and their actions to those in a children's game. The "children" wanted to "play" by rules they established while John and Jesus were "playing" by God's rules.

Luke 7:33-50 - The passage about the woman wetting His feet with tears and wiping them with here hair was difficult for me to visualize until I was reminded that people of that time did not eat sitting on chairs, with their feet under a table. People laid on their sides with their heads facing the table and their feet out away from the table. 

This woman knew, deep in her heart, that she was a miserable sinner, the same as Paul who called himself the "chief of sinners" (I Tim 1:15), or the same as me. If we lined up everyone alive and organized them from the worst sinner on one end to the most righteous at the other end the difference between the two would be miniscule compared to the distance between the most righteous man and Christ. It is important that I compare my "works" to those of Christ, not my fellow man, when considering if I have "earned" my way to Heaven. None of us can some close to earning or way to Heaven. I need to continually remind myself of the greatness of the gift of salvation, given to me freely.