Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof

 

 Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum.  And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die.  So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant.  And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, "for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue."  Then Jesus went with them.  And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof.  Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You.  But say the word, and my servant will be healed.  For I am also a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me.  And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."  When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"  And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.

Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd.  And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow.  And a large crowd from the city was with her.  When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep."  Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still.  And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise."  So he who was dead sat up and began to speak.  And He presented him to his mother.  Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen up among us"; and, "God has visited His people."  And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.

 

- Luke 7:1–17 

 

In our recent readings, Jesus has been giving what is known as the Sermon on the Plain.  Its topics are similar to the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew's Gospel (Matthew 5 - 7).   No doubt Jesus preached His gospel in many places.  Nonetheless Luke includes teachings not found in Matthew.  We began reading this Sermon in Friday's reading last week.  Yesterday, we read the conclusion:  He spoke a parable to them:  "Can the blind lead the blind?  Will they not both fall into the ditch?  A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.  And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye?  Or how can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye?  Hypocrite!  First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother's eye.  For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.  For every tree is known by its own fruit.  For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush.  A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil.  For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.  But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say?  Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like:  He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock.  And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.  But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell.  And the ruin of that house was great." 

Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum.  And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die.  So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant.  And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, "for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue."  Then Jesus went with them.  And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof.  Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You.  But say the word, and my servant will be healed.  For I am also a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me.  And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."  When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"  And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.  My study Bible comments that this centurion, a Roman Gentile, is unusual in his devotion to the Jews, and this is quite remarkable about him.  My study Bible describes his notable characteristics as follows:  he has a love for God and God's people ("he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue"); he is humble ("I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof"); and, in the words of Jesus, he has great faith.

 

 Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd.  And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow.  And a large crowd from the city was with her.  When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep."  Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still.  And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise."  So he who was dead sat up and began to speak.  And He presented him to his mother.  Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen up among us"; and, "God has visited His people."  And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.  My study Bible tells us that this is one of three resurrections which were performed by our Lord as recorded in the Gospels (see also Luke 8:41-56; John 11:1-44).  It notes that they confirm the promise given to the prophet Ezekiel that God will one day open the graves and raise all the dead (Ezekiel 37:1-14).  It says that many people have exercised authority over the living, but only the Son of God "has power over both the living and the dead" (quoting from the Orthodox funeral service).  As Christ has power through His word alone (John 11:43), in today's instance He also touched the coffin to show that His very body is life-giving.  This event prefigures Christ's own Resurrection.  Echoing the commentary of St. Ambrose of Milan, my study Bible notes that as Mary would weep for Jesus at the Cross, yet her tears would be turned to joy by the Resurrection, here a widow's only son is raised from the dead, putting an end to her weeping.

What is truly remarkable in both episodes of Christ's healing ministry in today's reading is the level of compassion that is at work here, highlighted in these stories.  There is first of all the centurion, who is notable for his own compassionate qualities.  As noted above, although he is nominally an occupying Roman commander of soldiers in this place, the locals praise him as one who "loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue."  This man has used the imperial power available to him in his position to shore up the faith of the local people and has learned to love the God of Israel.  We can see his tremendous humility, despite his worldly authority, before Christ.  He calls Jesus "Lord," and says that he is not worthy for Christ to come under his roof.  And finally, there is the display of his great faith; he understands that Jesus has power to command beyond his own, and that there are no worldly barriers to that power.  This insight arising from his faith, given all the rest that we know about him, is also deeply connected to his capacity for compassion.  And then there is the unusual story of the widow of Nain, found only here in Luke's Gospel.  Again, the emphasis here is on compassion.  It's notable that St. Ambrose of Milan would see an image of Mary, the mother of Jesus, in this story.  She is a widow who has lost her only son, her only protection and care in a difficult world.  We can't imagine her grief, I think, unless we have experienced something like it.  But the story is an illustration of the compassion of Christ in a world where sadness and loss may afflict us all; here it is the cruelty of death taking away her only son and support in the world.  The text literally tells us that Christ had compassion on her, telling her, "Do not weep."  Christ's compassion, we should note, is born of empathy, not sentimentality.  This is God emptying Himself for us, reaching out, and bringing us the gospel of the Kingdom.  Empathy reaches to solve problems, even those with difficult solutions, and is willing even to seem harsh in order to alleviate misery.  Sentimentality is a confusion of such, often simply comforting oneself.  Christ's compassion makes evident His capacity for understanding pain and suffering; it makes clear that His mission in this world against the "evil one" is all about alleviating that pain and correcting what ails us.  Just as the centurion's gracious rule is connected to his capacity for both faith and compassion, Christ's healing ministry is connected to all levels of what ails us:  body, soul, and spirit.  In the Sermon on the Plain, which we've just finished reading, the great emphasis underlying Christ's teachings was compassion.  In today's reading, we're shown what it is to live it, what it is all about.

Do not weep

 

Jesus raises the widow's son at Nain, modern icon.  20th cent.

 

 Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum.  And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die.  So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant.  And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, "for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue."  Then Jesus went with them.  And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof.  Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You.  But say the word, and my servant will be healed.  For I am also a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me.  And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."  When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"  And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.

Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd.  And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow.  And a large crowd from the city was with her.  When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep."  Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still.  And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise."  So he who was dead sat up and began to speak.  And He presented him to his mother.  Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen up among us"; and, "God has visited His people."  And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.

 

- Luke 7:1–17 

 

 Over the course of the past three days, the lectionary has given us Jesus' Sermon on the Plain.  Yesterday we read its conclusion:  Jesus spoke a parable to them:  "Can the blind lead the blind?  Will they not both fall into the ditch?  A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.  And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye?  Or how can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye?  Hypocrite!  First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother's eye.  For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.  For every tree is known by its own fruit.  For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush.  A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil.  For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.  But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say?  Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like:  He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock.  And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.  But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell.  And the ruin of that house was great." 

 Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum.  And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die.  So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant.  And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, "for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue."  Then Jesus went with them.  And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof.  Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You.  But say the word, and my servant will be healed.  For I am also a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me.  And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."  When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"  And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.   My study bible comments that this centurion, a Roman Gentile, is unusual in his devotion to the Jews.  His characteristics are notable.  He displays compassion, love for God and for God's people, humility, and a great faith.  

Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd.  And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow.  And a large crowd from the city was with her.  When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep."  Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still.  And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise."  So he who was dead sat up and began to speak.   And He presented him to his mother.  Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen up among us"; and, "God has visited His people."  And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.  My study bible remarks that this is one of the three resurrections performed by our Lord as recorded in the Gospels (see also Luke 8:41-56, John 11:1-44).  They serve as confirming the promise given to the prophet Ezekiel that God will one day open the graves and raise all the dead (Ezekiel 37:1-14).  My study bible adds that many people have exercised authority over the living; but only the Son of God "has power over both the living and the dead" (as declares the Orthodox funeral service).  While Christ has power through His word alone (John 11:43), here He also touched the coffin to show that His very body is life-giving.  Also, this even prefigures Christ's Resurrection.  St. Ambrose of Milan comments that just as Mary would weep for Jesus at the Cross, but her tears would turned to joy by the Resurrection, here a widow's only son is raised from the dead, thus putting an end to her weeping.

I find myself so often moved by Jesus' relationships with women.  In Luke's Gospel is perhaps the most interactions with women we find in the Gospels, although the other Gospels do not contradict but also give examples of this.  Luke's Gospel alone contains the story of the widow of Nain.  In contrast to the times, Christ's interactions with women are compassionate.  We might say they show His great empathy.  And, like St. Ambrose of Milan, who is cited in his comments regarding the raising of the son of the widow of Nain, I can't help but remark to myself that they reflect something of Jesus' profound relationship with his own mother, Mary.  It is Mary who held the secrets of Christ's birth and divine origin and conception.  It is she whose intercession helped to bring about the first miracle or sign in John's Gospel, the wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11).  The kind of tenderness and understanding we seem to find in Jesus' treatment of this widow, in His first telling her, "Do not weep," is one that I find resonates through a relationship with His own mother.  If we consider Mary's position in her family -- a young wife taken into a family by an older man as she came from the temple a virgin, found to be pregnant, and raising the Son she bore, we might have some consideration of the closeness of Jesus and His mother.  To be sure, those who are called Christ's brothers and sisters in the Gospels are likely to be children of Joseph by an earlier marriage, or possibly cousins to Jesus (as cousins are still commonly called "brother" or "sister" in the Middle East).  But it doesn't take familiarity with the ancient world to understand the relationship between such a mother and her only Child, even within an extended family of many relations.  In the sense in which we can view Christ's compassionate and empathic treatment of women, including His great friendship with Martha and Mary, we might take a view on the salvation story and Mary, the mother of Christ's special place in that story, as containing this very important element of the character of Christ Himself.  The unique relationship between mother and Son is something astounding, almost startling, which stands out in the story of Jesus the Son of Man, born into the world of a human mother.  She takes on another facet of importance as we understand His human nature was taken from her.  All of these things express about our Savior than we normally might think about and consider, but they are important parts of the story of Jesus Christ.   And like everything else in the Gospels, nothing is here by accident or happenstance.  All of it contributes to the things God has manifested to us and for us.  So let us for today consider Christ's incredible compassion, found in His particular relations with women.  The same could be extended to His capacity to recognize the qualities found in the centurion in today's reading.  The centurion is part of the hated Roman occupying forces, a man in authority, and yet with all the qualities that make him someone of whom Christ can say to the crowd, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"   For this man understands authority, and the proper relationship to authority.  As one in authority himself, he is humble before Christ.  In consideration of both encounters in today's reading, we could say about Jesus that He was made manifest in the small and humble, born into the world of a woman who might easily have been considered a scandal and simply put away somewhere and isolated from the society.  He is, indeed, the compassionate Lord, but He is also Lord of the meek and the humble, Deliverer and Savior of those who seek His protection, and who recognize His authority.

I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!

 Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum.  And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die.  So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant.  And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, "for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue."  Then Jesus went with them.  And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof.  Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You.  But say the word, and my servant will be healed.  For I am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me.  And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."  When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"  And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick."

Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd.  And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow.  And a large crowd from the city was with her.  When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep."  Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still.  And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise."  So he who was dead sat up and began to speak.  And He presented him to his mother.  Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen up among us"; and, "God has visited His people."  And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region. 

- Luke 7:1-17

In our recent readings, Jesus has been preaching what is known as the Sermon on the Plain.  (See the readings from Friday and Saturday for the earlier parts of this sermon.)  "And He spoke a parable to them:  "Can the blind lead the blind?  Will they not both fall into the ditch?  A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.  And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye?  Or how can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye?  Hypocrite!  First remove the lank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother's eye.  For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.  For every tree is known by its own fruit.  For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush.  A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil.  For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.  But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say?  Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like:  He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock.  And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.  But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell.  And the ruin of that house was great."

 Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum.  And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die.  So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant.  And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, "for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue."  Then Jesus went with them.  And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof.  Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You.  But say the word, and my servant will be healed.  For I am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me.  And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."  When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"  And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick."  This is another example in the Gospels in which one of a group nominally hated by the common people is shown to be surpassingly righteous.  In Luke's Gospel, Jesus has already chosen a tax collector to "Follow Me" (Levi, who becomes Matthew).  Here a Roman centurion, a Gentile under whose command are soldiers of the occupying Roman Army, is unusual in his devotion to the Jews.  My study bible says that his characteristics are notable:  he shows compassion, love for God and God's people, humility, and great faith.  Even Christ marvels at his faith, which he calls greater than any He has found in Israel.

Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd.  And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow.  And a large crowd from the city was with her.  When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep."  Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still.  And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise."  So he who was dead sat up and began to speak.  And He presented him to his mother.  Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen up among us"; and, "God has visited His people."  And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.  My study bible notes that this is one of three resurrections performed by our Lord as recorded in the Gospels (see also 8:41-56. John 11:1-44).  It remarks that these resurrection narratives confirm the promise given to the prophet Ezekiel that God will one day open the graves and raise all the dead (Ezekiel 37:1-14).  There are many who have exercised authority over the living.  But only Christ, as Son of God, "has power over both the living and the dead" (Orthodox funeral service).  My study bible adds that while Christ has power through His word alone (see John 11:43), here He also touched the coffin, showing that His very body is life-giving.  This event is also a prefiguring of Christ's own Resurrection.  Ambrose of Milan comments that just as Mary would weep for her Son at the Cross, and her tears turned to joy by the Resurrection, so this widow's only son is raised from the dead, putting an end to her weeping.  This account of the widow of Nain and her son is found only in Luke's Gospel.

What is authority, and why is it important to the Gospels and to the mission of Jesus?  Repeatedly we hear the Jewish religious authorities ask Jesus by what authority He does what He does (see here, for example).  Authority becomes essential to a broader perspective on Christ's ministry, beyond the questions of the leadership regarding, for example, His cleansing of the temple.  Christ's authority is paramount over the unclean spirits, as we see right from the beginning of His ministry in Luke, such as when they appear and identify Him in the synagogue at Capernaum (see this reading).  Even before that, right after His Baptism by John, the devil tries to challenge His chain of command from the Father (in this reading).  This is followed by the outrage of His neighbors in Nazareth at the authority with which He speaks in their hometown synagogue (here).  There are constant references and challenges with regard to authority in the Gospels, and surrounding Christ.  He Himself references this authority when He speaks of Himself as the "stronger man" who can liberate people from the "strong man" Satan (11:14-23).  Just prior to this, in the same chapter, He gives us what is called "The Lord's Prayer" or the "Our Father," in which we are taught to pray for deliverance from the evil one (Luke 11:1-4), a clear reference to a liberator or redeemer who overthrows a tyrant.  Each one of these examples from the Gospels involves questions of authority within a basic framework telling us who exactly Jesus is.  Over and over again, His authority is questioned and challenged.  So important is it that this theme plays itself out even in today's reading, nominally about healing, but truly about an understanding of authority and the power that goes with it.  The centurion tells Him both that he is unworthy to have Christ come into His house (deference to a higher authority) and that in fact he did not even think himself worthy to come to Christ.  Then he adds, "But say the word, and my servant will be healed.  For I am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me.  And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." The centurion's display of surprisingly great faith -- most notably in the eyes of Christ -- is tied to his understanding and experience of authority.   Christ commands the dead son to arise in the story of the widow of Nain, prompting us to ask who could possibly have such authority.  But there is an important note both to the authority with which the centurion governs and also the authority as exercised by Christ.  Both are compassionate.  The centurion's compassion is testified to by the elders of the synagogue and also by his concern for his servant.  Jesus' first command in our second story is to the widow herself:  "Do not weep."  Authority is something we may struggle with in a modern world.  Who has legitimate authority?  From where does that authority come?  What are our rights and how far do they extend in terms of how we treat one another?  But Jesus gives us the key to the highest authority in the universe, and it is compassion.  In the recently given Sermon on the Plain, Jesus tells us that the disciple must be as his Master.  He holds God the Father as the highest example of authority, and tells us, "Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful."  How do we, then, show ourselves as pupils of the Master?  Is it in our compassion, our graciousness to others?  Or is it found, as some would say, in a belligerence to nominal enemies,  in the name of a more abstract concept of justice or mercy?  Which one does He call us toward?   Who is your highest authority, and what are the qualities associated with that power?  Let us observe with what quality of authority Jesus speaks His truth and conducts His life, even as it leads Him to the Cross.  So much depends on whom we truly place our faith.

God has visited His people

 Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum.  And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die.  So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant.  And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, "for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue."  Then Jesus went with them.  And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof.  Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You.  But say the word, and my servant will be healed.  For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me.  And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."  When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"  And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick."

Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd.  And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow.  And a large crowd from the city was with her.  When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep."  Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still.  And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise."  So he who was dead sat up and began to speak.  And He presented him to his mother.  Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen up among us"; and, "God has visited His people."  And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.

- Luke 7:1-17

On Tuesday, we read that Jesus chose the twelve disciples who would become apostles, and then began what is known as the Sermon on the Plain (similar in content to the Sermon on the Mount).  Yesterday, we read the conclusion to the Sermon:  He spoke a parable to them:  "Can the blind lead the blind?  Will they not both fall into the ditch?  A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.  And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye?  Or how can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me remove the speck that it is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye?  Hypocrite!  First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother's eye.  For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.  For every tree is known by its own fruit.  For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush.  A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil.  For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.  But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say?  Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like:  He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock.  And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.  But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell.  And the ruin of that house was great."

Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum.  And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die.  So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant.  And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, "for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue."  Then Jesus went with them.  And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof.  Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You.  But say the word, and my servant will be healed.  For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me.  And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."  When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"  And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick."   This centurion is a Roman Gentile, and he is unusual in his devotion to the Jews.  He is a professional soldier of the Roman Empire, a commander over dozens of other soldiers.   In this role, his characteristics are notable:  he has compassion, love for God and God's people, humility, and great faith.  In fact, he sets an example for faith for all of us, and is extraordinarily praised by Christ.

Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd.  And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow.  And a large crowd from the city was with her.  When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep."  Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still.  And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise."  So he who was dead sat up and began to speak.  And He presented him to his mother.  Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen up among us"; and, "God has visited His people."  And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.  My study bible points out that this is one of three resurrections that were performed by Christ as recorded in the Gospels (see also 8:41-56; John 11:1-44).  They confirm the promise given to the prophet Ezekiel that God will one day open the graves and raise all the dead (Ezekiel 37:1-14).  There are many, such as the centurion in the previous verses, who have exercised authority over the living, but only the Son of God "has power over both the living and the dead" as the Orthodox funeral service declares.  Christ, who is the Word, has power through His word alone (John 11:43), but here He also touched the coffin to show that His body is life-giving.  This event, of course, prefigures His own Resurrection.  St. Ambrose of Milan writes that Mary would weep for Jesus at the Cross, but her tears were turned to joy at the Resurrection.  So it is with this widow's only son who is raised from the dead, putting an end to her weeping.

Jesus is clearly the author of life, and in Him is eternal life.  But what we are to understand about this life is myriad and multiple.  When Christ the Word intersects with us in our lives, there is no telling what may be opened up and renewed.  In these examples in today's reading, there is first of all the centurion.  A man with military power, he would normally be one who is feared.  But he is a gracious figure, and a righteous one.  He respects the God of the Jews, he's dedicated to the nation with love (as the elders testify to Jesus) and he has built their synagogue.  But the centurion, as a man of military authority, understands authority himself.  And perhaps better than do the Jews, he understands that the word of the Lord is like the word of the Emperor; whatever is done in His name, He is present.   He has so much faith and confidence in Jesus, that he does not demand Jesus go to his home to heal the servant, and this is great faith indeed, such that Jesus hasn't found even in Israel.  Jesus' very life, working through the faith of the centurion, opens up for us what faith and our life may truly be about, in ways unique to this man and his position.  The story of the widow of Nain is found only in Luke's Gospel.  It displays some of the tenderness in Luke we find toward various women, and as my study bible points out, it opens up a reflection on Mary and the experience she will go through.  But it displays the great compassion of Christ, who cares that she is weeping.   His words, "Do not weep," are the comfort His love brings.   It teaches us that the life that is in the Creator is also love, and that this is the great characteristic of the energies of God, God's work in the world.  He restores to her her life, the very thing most precious to her.   In the Epistle of James, we read, "Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world" (James 1:27).  In this story of the widow of Nain, Jesus, as He taught in yesterday's reading, shows Himself - as Teacher - as the example to which all of His disciples must aspire, in His care for widows and orphans.  It is the Mother of Christ who has declared that God "has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly" (see Luke 1:46-55).  It is through compassion and love that the very life and power of God works in the world.  This is what His ministry brings to us, the truths of the Kingdom, and it is how we understand that which we aspire to be a part of, and in which we can participate.  As we see in the stories, each detail of every life brings out the possibilities of the life in abundance that Christ is here to bring:  the centurion in his particular place and time and circumstance, and the widow of Nain in hers.  What do we ask of Him, and how do we participate in His life and discipleship?  In Revelation 21:5, the Lord literally says in the Greek, "Behold, I am always making all things new."   The Evangelist is told, "Write, for these words are true and faithful."  And so they are.  We don't know how that will work for us in our lives, but it is God's work that is always unfolding and showing us what is new, and what it means for life to be renewed.