The Velvet Hammer

Introduction

Karate Kid – Mr Myagi

Velvet hammer

Switch from opposition to relationship

Two people who need and can have what Jesus offers

The Power to Command Soldiers

Luke 7:1–10 NIV

1 When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. 2 There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. 3 The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” 6 So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” 10 Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.

The emphasis is on the way the centurion approaches Jesus rather than the miraculous healing

Background

Military leaders – equivalent to a captain

Often served the public through special projects

Earliest church archaeology included an inscription acknowledging a centurion’s contribution to paying for the floor

Three Centurions

This one

At the Cross

Cornelius

This centurion

Competent - earned rank

Generous

The problem

A precious servant is sick

Servant/son (v. 7)

The Centurion’s Approach

Humility

He sends others as intermediaries

Luke 7:3–5 NIV

3 The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.”

Though he is a good man, he recognizes he’s not worthy of the presence of Jesus under his own roof

Luke 7:6 NIV

6 So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof.

Rather than making himself presentable or attempting to be impressive, he acknowledges his unworthiness

Faith

Luke 7:7–8 NIV

7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

Recognizes Jesus authority

Under authority – they both serve a higher authority, but hold that authority themselves as well

The centurion recognizes something of Jesus divine mission

Recognizes Jesus power

If unworthiness doesn’t prevent access, worthiness doesn’t provide it.

Jesus’s Response

Amazement

The only other time he is amazed is for lack of faith (Mk 6:6)

Jesus is amazed at the depth of the centurion’s faith which recognizes his unworthiness but believes Jesus can heal from afar

Power displayed over a distance

Physical Distance

The centurion recognizes Jesus authority

Jesus displays his authority

Ethnic Distance

Jew and gentile are able to get along as they relate to Jesus

Foreshadowing Jesus message going to the gentiles

A major focus of Luke

Implication

Jesus astounding power demands our humility

The Compassion to Comfort Widows

Luke 7:11–17 NIV

11 Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. 12 As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.” 14 Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” 15 The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother. 16 They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.” 17 This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.

The Widow’s Situation

Sorrow

Poverty

Jesus’s Response

Proactive Compassion

He’s not even asked

He tells her “do not weep”

Not “stop crying or I’ll give you something to cry about”

Resurrection

And cleansing

Authentication

The Widow of Zaraphath (Elijah)

Gave the child back to his mother

The Shunamite Woman (Elisha)

Just around the hill (Shunam souuth; Nain north)

Luke 7:16 NIV

16 They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.”

Implication

Jesus compassion meets our needs

God has come to help his people

Conclusion

The seriousness of your burdens is no obstacle to Jesus

His mission is ultimately one of conquering the most undefeatable obstacle of all

The type of your burden is no obstacle to Jesus

He has power

He has compassion

Neither limits the other

Perhaps our outline this morning is even a bit artificial because both are clearly demonstrated in each account