This morning there is very little to comment on. We have two encounters: in both people were healed by proxy. Others asked for the healing, and even then indirectly. The widow in Nain was grieving, for without a son who would care for her she was facing a bleak future. And others asked on behalf of the Centurion.
The main teaching of the passage is that Christ had the ability to deal with diseases and even death. He raised others from the dead. He will do the same for us. I will note that this righteous Centurion had slaves, because it will make those who believe the modern narrative is the gospel think twice.
Luke 7:1-17
After Jesus had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. A centurion there had a slave whom he valued highly, and who was ill and close to death. When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave. When they came to Jesus, they appealed to him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy of having you do this for him, for he loves our people, and it is he who built our synagogue for us.” And Jesus went with them, but when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; therefore I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and the slave does it.” When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, he said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health. Soon afterwards he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow; and with her was a large crowd from the town. When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, rise!” The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized all of them; and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen among us!” and “God has looked favorably on his people!” This word about him spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding country.
What people need to note is that the Centurion, who built the synagogue, knew he was a stranger and was not acceptable within the Jewish religion until he converted. He thus sent friends. He did not appear directly. He knew the customs of the people and he did nto consider that they had to change to fit around him.
His witness was known. He did not need to lead, he thought he was not qualified to do this.
When we travel, from nation to nation, this is how we should be. Most of the differences between cultures are of limited moral value. It matters not at all if you have congee or porridge for breakfast — or a smoothie. There are some things that do matter, and those relate to the fact that all cultures are fallen, and all need Christ.
But let us enjoy that the cultures we have vary. Let the French be French. Let the Germans be Germans. And do not demand that all follow any agenda. Instead, let us invite Christ into all tribes and nations, so that we may be healed.