1. The Life of Christ – Lesson 8
In 1978, when the waters receded in a drought, an ancient fishing boat dated from the time of Jesus was found on the north-west shore by two local fishermen, Moshe and Yuval Lufan. The boat has been dated to 40 BC (plus or minus 80 years) based on radio-carbon dating and 50 BC to AD 50 based on finds of pottery and nails in the boat. – Slide 10
A life-sized reconstruction of the boat can be found at Kibbutz Ginosar. The Galilean boat had a stern deck for the storage of large fishing nets. Beneath its planks, such a deck provided a somewhat secluded area where tired fishermen could rest. – Slide 14
The Life of Christ – Lesson 8
Preaching in galilee – Healing a centurion’s slave; Raising a widows son - Luke 7:1-17
February 20, 2019

2. Healing the Centurion’s Servant Matthew 8:1, 5-13; Luke 7:1-10
The centurion’s request:
“… say the word, and my servant will be healed.”
Psalms 33:6-9, “… for He spoke, and it was done …” (cf. Hebrews 11:3)
Luke 1:38, “nothing will be impossible with God … may it be done to me according to your word.”
Application; 2 Peter 3:5-7, “… by the word of God …”; Romans 4:21, are we “fully assured”?

3. Healing the Centurion’s Servant Matthew 8:1, 5-13; Luke 7:1-10
The centurion’s basis for his faith: authority. He both was under the authority of others and had others under his authority. He is recognizing both the authority and power of Jesus Christ. Based on what he had heard about Jesus, He was so powerful and mighty (authoritative) that He could command it (“say the word”) and it would happen.
The aorist verbs in this text indicate immediate action which is precise to point of time. When a soldier is told to go, he must not hesitate or delay. He must act quickly and obey immediately. When the centurion issued an order, it was done now.

4. Healing the Centurion’s Servant Matthew 8:1, 5-13; Luke 7:1-10
The centurion’s basis for his faith: authority.
exousia – “the power of rule or government, the power of one whose will and commands must be obeyed.” (Vine)
The right to rule. Matthew 21:23-27; 28:18
dunamis – “inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature.” (Thayer) “Intrinsic power.” (Zodhiates) Luke 24:49; Romans 1:16
The aorist verbs in this text indicate immediate action which is precise to point of time. When a soldier is told to go, he must not hesitate or delay. He must act quickly and obey immediately. When the centurion issued an order, it was done now.

5. Healing the Centurion’s Servant Matthew 8:1, 5-13; Luke 7:1-10
Jesus’ response: “I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith.” Who did Jesus say that to? The “crowd” and “those who were following” (including the Jewish elders who the Centurion had sent?) “Great” – “so vast as this” (Thayer)

6. Healing the Centurion’s Servant Matthew 8:1, 5-13; Luke 7:1-10
What difference would such a faith make?
“Many shall come from east and west … in the kingdom of heaven …”
The Gentiles (from all nations) will respond by faith to the invitation to enter the kingdom.
“… the sons of the kingdom shall be cast out into the outer darkness.”
Those who should have been the first to enter will the rejected.
That which will separate men in the kingdom is no longer defined by your fleshly heritage. Ephesians 2:14; Isaiah 25:6ff
That which will separate men in the kingdom is no longer defined by your fleshly heritage. Ephesians 2:14
Prophesied in Isaiah 25:6ff

7. Healing the Centurion’s Servant Matthew 8:1, 5-13; Luke 7:1-10
Great faith.
Jesus commenting on others faith:
“Seeing their faith,” Luke 5:20
“Your faith is great,” Matthew 15:28
“Your faith has made you well,” Matthew 9:22 (cf. James 2:14)
“It shall be done according to your faith,” Matthew 9:29
Do we have the “same kind” of faith? 2 Peter 1:1; Acts 27:25
Luke 5:20- the paralytic lowered through the roof
Matt. 15:28 - the Canaanite woman who believed she could feed on the crumbs that fell from the Masters table.
Matthew 9:22 - the woman who touched the hem of Jesus’ garment.
Matthew 9:29 - the two blind men who believed Jesus was able.

8. Healing the Centurion’s Servant Matthew 8:1, 5-13; Luke 7:1-10
Jesus addressed faith that was lacking:
“You men of little faith … How is it that you have no faith? Where is your faith?” Matthew 8:26; Mark 4:40; Luke 8:25
“Because of the littleness of your faith …” Matthew 17:20
“You of little faith” Matthew 6:30
A faith that fails. Luke 22:32
Matthew 8:26 - Jesus’ disciples rebuked in the boat in the storm.
Matthew 17:20 - Jesus’ disciples after they could not cast out the demon.
Luke 12:28

9. “He went to city called Nain …”

10. Raising the widows son Luke 7:11-17
Ralph Earle describes the pleasant location of Nain.
The town of Jesus’ day may have stood higher on the hill than the present village. It probably was named for the pleasant view that the site affords across the plain of Esdraelon. To the west one can see Mt. Carmel, and to the north the hills behind Nazareth stand out, about 9½ km [6 mi] away. To the northeast one can look past nearby Tabor (3 km [2 mi] away) to snowcapped Mt. Hermon in the distance. Southward lies Mt. Gilboa. (The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised, 3:480)

11. Raising the widow’s son Luke 7:11-17
Jesus, His disciples, “accompanied by a large multitude” went from Capernaum to Nain. (A little over 20 miles, approximately) As they approached the gate, Jesus met a widow (with “a sizeable crowd from the city”) grieving the loss of her son, leaving the gate. Jewish cemeteries were not inside towns … tombs were considered unclean. Jeremiah 6:26 Jesus “felt compassion for her.” Matthew 20:34; cf. John 11:35; Colossians 3:12; 2:9; Romans 12:15
This kind of cortege was assembled as soon after death as the body could be prepared and the family and friends gathered. There were no long delays, as the Jews ordinarily committed their bodies back to the earth without embalming them. Sometimes funerals were conducted on the same day as death, usually toward the evening. Almost never was common burial later than the following day after death at night. Jewish cemeteries were not inside the towns, as burials were not allowed there. Tombs were considered unclean.Col 3:12
So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;

12. Raising the widows son Luke 7:11-17
Without great pomp and ceremony, Jesus simply said two things:
To the mother: “Do not weep.”
To the dead son: “Young man, I say to you, arise!”
The result: “The dead man (or corpse) sat up and began to speak.”
Can you imagine?
Same word for spiritually dead: Colossians 2:13; Ephesians 2:1-5; 1 Peter 4:6
In those days, it appears that the Jews did not bury in closed caskets as in modern times. Their bodies were wrapped in cloth. If buried, they were simply returned to the dust of the ground. If entombed, the enshrouded bodies were laid on ledges in small caves hewn out of rock (see Lazarus, John 11:44). When death occurred, the corpse was washed, anointed with oils and spices, and carried by family or friends on open litters or catafalques to the tomb or grave.

13. Raising the widows son Luke 7:11-17
Their reaction:
“Fear gripped them all.” (Will we fear?)
“Began glorifying God.” (Will we honor and glorify God?)
Said: “A great prophet has risen among us” (Deuteronomy 18:15; John 6:14; 7:40; 1 Kings 17:17-24; 2 Kings 4:18-37) (Will we listen to and heed the Prophet?)
“This report concerning Him went out all over Judea, and in all the surrounding district.” (Will the “report concerning Him” go out from us?)
Fear – “phobos” – to put to flight (flee from), fear, dread or terror. Includes reverence and awe. Philippians 2:12; 2 Corinthians 7:1
Glorify – doxazoo – magnify, praise, extol honor.
Interesting – glorifying God it says and not Jesus – they recognized that no one could do such things unless God was with Him. John 3:2; 9:33

14. Raising the widows son Luke 7:11-17
Ralph Earle describes the pleasant location of Nain.
The town of Jesus’ day may have stood higher on the hill than the present village. It probably was named for the pleasant view that the site affords across the plain of Esdraelon. To the west one can see Mt. Carmel, and to the north the hills behind Nazareth stand out, about 9½ km [6 mi] away. To the northeast one can look past nearby Tabor (3 km [2 mi] away) to snowcapped Mt. Hermon in the distance. Southward lies Mt. Gilboa. (The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised, 3:480)