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

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

2 Related Resources by Heartlight

Grace for the Opposites
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Child of the King of Glory, Whatever your situation in life is or may have been, I want you to know that when you hurt, I care! You see, I don't..."
Surely!
Article by Phil Ware
A hardened elite soldier in Rome's army comes face-to-face with the Son of God. Phil Ware looks at the Centurions in the New Testament and reminds us that they often believed in Jesus, and one in particular, can lead us to Jesus, the cross, and our salvation.

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."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, April 20, 2023

Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'The Encourager Sent to Encourage' (Acts 11:22-24)
"When the church at Jerusalem heard what had happened [with the spread of the Good News to both Jews and Gentiles], they sent Barnabas to Antioch...."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Why Tremble?' (Ps. 27:1)
"The Lord is my light and my salvation — so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?"
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Jeremiah 32:17
"At the very time when the Chaldeans surrounded Jerusalem, and when the sword, famine and pestilence had desolated the land, Jeremiah was commanded by...."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Let the Holy Spirit Guide Your Lives!' (Ga. 5:16)
"So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves."

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!