Today’s reading: Luke 7
Segue – to make a transition without interruption from one activity, topic, scene, or part to another (Miriam Webster).
Do you ever feel like the Gospels are a bunch of short, random stories that jump around? While I know the Gospels, as a whole, are the story of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, zooming from story to story sometimes feels a little disjointed to me. I’m often left wondering what happened to the ever so important segue?
Our text for today, Luke 7, felt a little fragmented to me at first blush.
Start with the story of the Centurion. This man was a high ranking Roman official. While the Jews generally hated Roman soldiers, this official must have have been unique. The group of Jewish leaders that sought Jesus’ help on behalf of the Centurion made their case by attesting, “he loves the Jews and even built a synagogue for us” (Luke 7:5). Even so, the Centurion recognized he was not worthy of a personal meeting with Jesus. His humility, coupled with a faith in Jesus uncommon of Roman officials, led Jesus to miraculously heal the Centurion’s ailing servant.
Next, the story of a widow. Her situation couldn’t have been more opposite of the Centurion. Her husband, and now her only son, were dead. Without them and their financial support, this woman was soon to begging for food. Jesus had compassion on the widow and raised her son from the dead.
On to John the Baptist. John’s purpose in life was to “pave the way” for Jesus. Nevertheless, he was human like we are, and had some confusion and doubt that Jesus was really the Messiah. Jesus didn’t reprimand John for his doubt, rather he recounted his actions and correlated them to Old Testament prophesies to help John connect the dots and be confident Jesus was truly the son of God.
Finally to the sinful woman. This woman, an uninvited guest, shows up at a dinner being hosted by one of the Pharisees. She knelt behind Jesus, pouring perfume on and kissing his feet. Jesus used the situation to rebuke the Pharisees and to teach his disciples – “I tell you her sins, and they are many, have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love” (Luke 7:47).
Here we are at the end of Luke 7. Four short stories about Jesus’ interactions with different people, no real segue between them. They are linked, however, by one very powerful message. Jesus cares for everyone. It doesn’t matter if you are a successful businessman/woman or government leader, it doesn’t matter if you are unemployed or homeless, it doesn’t matter if you are serving in full-time Christian ministry or if you’ve lived your life entirely apart from God so far. Jesus cares for you. Because he voluntarily paid the price for every one of our sins, we have a way to be acceptable to God. Only when we realize the true depth of our sin and the complete redemption offered through Jesus, however, are we able to offer God the gratitude and love he deserves.