Luke 7:1-17

(sermon note: 02-09 sermon note)

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.

This morning’s reading reminds me of the one about an elderly German man who visited his priest one day for confession. The man began, “Forgive me father, for I have sinned. During the great war I hid a Jewish refugee in my attic.” The priest calmly responded, “Well, that’s not a sin my son, but rather a heroic act of great compassion and daring.” The man said, “But I made him agree to pay me 20 marks for each week he stayed.” There was a long pause until finally the priest groaned, “I must admit, that wasn’t a great decision, but I’m sure you did it for a good cause.” Cheerfully the man said, “God bless you, father, that puts my mind to rest! But I have just one more question.” With slight apprehension, the priest asked, “Yes, my son?” “Do I have to tell him the war is over?”

Nothing like a little dark humor to get the morning started, eh?! Poor old Jewish refugee being taken advantage of all those years…can you imagine hiding out in an attic all those years since WWII? That’s nearly 80 years since the war’s been over! Talk about inhumane treatment of a fellow human being! I mean, it was a terrible situation that forced people into hiding in the first place…totally unforgivable to keep them there for more than 80 years! But the German man had the right intention when he first offered the refugee a haven. Heaven knows it was a grossly unjust persecution of the Jewish people during the 2nd World War. The atrocities they were forced to endure were unimaginable and undeserved. It was only the few lucky ones who were given a haven that managed to survive such atrocities. It was only the compassion and courage of a few that made all the difference for those few lucky ones. They truly were heroes who stood up against such evil. And if we can’t find a way to laugh at the absurdity of that evil then that evil has won.

And besides, laughing at the absurdity of evil isn’t my focus this morning. No, I want us to dwell in the notion of compassion this morning. More specifically, the compassion of Jesus as illustrated by our reading. This is the 2nd week we’ve been asked to reflect on Jesus’ mighty miracles of healing. Last week, Jesus healed a man with a withered hand and caused quite a stir with the religious leaders because he did it on the Sabbath day. Instead of giving praise to Jesus for the healing, the leaders were caught up with the fact that he had done it on the Sabbath day. No one was allowed to work on the Sabbath day and the act of healing was considered by many as a form of work. Jesus chided them for their misunderstanding and helped them realize that the Sabbath rest is meant to restore health, in much the same way as healing. This week we hear how a centurion called on Jesus to heal his slave and how an opportunity arose for Jesus to resurrect the dead son of a widow. The Sabbath rules no longer applied to the healing in today’s reading and the healing is left to simply illustrate Jesus’ mighty powers. Jesus does have miraculous healing powers for all that are sick and/or dying. Jesus can restore health and life in ways that medicine cannot. Jesus IS the Great Physician! Just look at how Jesus restored the slave’s health simply by speaking words of healing from afar! Just look at how Jesus gave life back to the widow’s son believed to be dead for several days! Jesus restores health and life in truly mysterious ways! And rather than dwell on the mighty wonder of Jesus’ restoration, I think it’s important to instead dwell on the compassion of Jesus. Everything Jesus did and does comes from a place of compassion. Jesus deeply loves us and wants us healthy and experiencing life to the fullest. Jesus understands sickness and death are our great enemies because they deprive us of life and wholeness. Some claim that sickness and death cause us separation from God and that’s why they are our enemies but that simply isn’t true. God is very much present in sickness and death. God never abandons us in sickness and death. They’re just times of transition from bodily existence to spiritual existence. They’re nothing more than processes. Now why wouldn’t God be in all processes? God created all processes. God understands all processes. God is intimately involved in all processes, sickness and death included. We shouldn’t ever feel abandoned in our sickness and death. God is right there with us, gently holding our hand through it. Why? Because of a profound love and compassion for us!

Yes, Jesus loves us in unimaginable ways. Jesus loved the centurion’s slave and widow’s son just as much as the centurion and widow loved them. Probably more! Jesus loved them and loves us profoundly! If only we could love ourselves and each other with such deep compassion! And you know what? WE CAN!! How? By welcoming Jesus into our hearts and into our lives! By listening to and heeding the wisdom of scripture! We ought to simply listen to Jesus’ words and those he spoke through like Paul. Recall Paul’s words spoken to the Ephesians, “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.” (4:32) Or in his letter to the Colossians, “As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” (3:12) And in his letter to the Galatians, “Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (6:2) Friends, these are not difficult words to hear let alone heed. Be kind. Be forgiving. Be compassionate. Be humble. Be patient. Bear each other’s burdens. That’s all we’re called to do!

And you know what? That’s all we need to focus on today! Listen to Jesus. Give thanks for his wondrously miraculous healing powers. Be good as he is good and give thanks to God. Thanks be to God!

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.