What Jesus Did! 'Kindness Displayed' — Luke 7:2-5

Thursday, April 20, 2023

[When Jesus returned to Capernaum,] the highly valued slave of a Roman officer was sick and near death. When the officer heard about Jesus, he sent some respected Jewish elders to ask him to come and heal his slave. So they earnestly begged Jesus to help the man. "If anyone deserves your help, he does," they said, "for he loves the Jewish people and even built a synagogue for us."
— Luke 7:2-5 NLT

Key Thought

In a world of prejudice and rank, this is a story that warms the heart and points us to our better selves! While Jews plead the case of a non-Jew to Jesus, an officer of rank pleads the case of his slave. Their concern transcends racial and social differences as they ask Jesus for grace. Of course, for Jesus, these distinctions didn't make any difference at all, but they did to the people of his day. This story is a great reminder that in the grace of Jesus, race, rank, and reputation pale in comparison to his desire to save and bless all people who will come to him as Lord.

Today's Prayer

O Lord God Almighty, please forgive me for the barriers I have erected and the labels that I allow to come between me and others who so desperately need your grace. I know each person is precious to you, O God. Please use me to help your people become more open to all peoples so that our earthly reality can mirror the complete racial and social diversity, and the glorious equality that exist in the glory of heaven. In Jesus' name, I pray this. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Galatians 3:26-4:7
  • Ephesians 2:14-18
  • Revelation 7:9-10

Comments

Archived Facebook Comments

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, April 20, 2023

God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Confirmation' (Ro. 9:1)
"I speak the truth in Christ — I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit ..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Observing the Lord's Supper'
"Dear Father, giver of bread and wine, When we come together as your family to partake of bread and wine, let it truly be "the Lord's supper" which we..."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Psalm 145:3-4
"Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty....."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Proverbs 10:4
"Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth."

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 7:2-5 NLT — "If anyone deserves your help, he does," —— "for he loves the Jewish people and even built a synagogue for us."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!