INTERESTING FACTS : Samuel Adams - born Sept. 27 [Sept. 16, Old Style], 1722, Boston died Oct. 2, 1803, Boston politician of the American Revolution, leader of the Massachusetts "radicals," who was a delegate to the Continental Congress (1774-81) and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was later lieutenant governor (1789-93) and governor (1794-97) of Massachusetts[1]

 

Called on the State of Massachusetts to pray that . . .

 

"The peaceful and glorious reign of our Divine Redeemer may be known and enjoyed throughout the whole family of mankind.; we may with one heart and voice humbly implore His gracious and free pardon through Jesus Christ, supplicating His Divine aid . . . [and] above all to cause the religion of Jesus Christ, in its true spirit, to spread far and wide till the whole earth shall be filled with His glory. with true contrition of heart to confess their sins to God and implore forgiveness through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior."

 

Daily Reading : LUKE 6 - 7

 

TEXT : Luke 6:17 And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;  6:18 And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed.  6:19 And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.  7:1 Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum.  7:2 And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.  7:3 And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant.  7:4 And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:  7:5 For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.  7:6 Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:  7:7 Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.  7:8 For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.  7:9 When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.  7:10 And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.  

 

THEME : Healing

 

Luke 6 

 

In this chapter we have Christ's exposition of the moral law, which he came not to destroy, but to fulfil, and to fill up, by his gospel.  I. Here is a proof of the lawfulness of works of necessity and mercy on the sabbath day, the former in vindication of his disciples' plucking the ears of corn, the latter in vindication of himself healing the withered hand on that day (Luk_6:1-11).  II. His retirement for secret prayer (Luk_6:12).  III. His calling his twelve apostles (Luk_6:13-16).  IV. His curing the multitudes of those under various diseases who made their application to him (Luk_6:17-19).  V. The sermon that he preached to his disciples and the multitude, instructing them in their duty both to God and man (v. 20-49). [Matthew Henry][2]

 

Luke 7 

 

Christ heals the servant of a centurion, who is commended for his faith, Luk_7:1-10. Raises a widow's son to life at Nain, Luk_7:11-17. John Baptist hears of his fame, and sends two of his disciples to inquire whether he was the Christ, Luk_7:18-23. Christ's character of John, Luk_7:24-30. The obstinate blindness and capriciousness of the Jews, Luk_7:31-35. A Pharisee invites him to his house, where a woman anoints his head with oil, and washes his feet with her tears, Luk_7:36-38. The Pharisee is offended, Luk_7:39. Our Lord reproves him by a parable, and vindicates the woman, Luk_7:40-46; and pronounces her sins forgiven, Luk_7:47-50. [Adam Clarke][3]

 

TRUTH FOR TODAY : "CHRIST IS STILL THE HEALER."

 

You only need to take a quick glance at the accounts of the ministry of Jesus Christ and you clearly see His healing ministry.  In the Gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John - all four, you see Christ as Healer.  He is the Great Physician.   Everywhere Jesus goes He heals the sick.  No matter what the illness, no matter how desperate the situation, no matter how impossible it seems - Christ, heals and delivers.  Remember, Jesus is - Immanuel (God with us), and God come in the flesh.  Thus, you see a miracle working Savior.

 

You can feel the pathos of the sea of suffering people as multitudes touch Jesus and are healed of their various sicknesses.  Picture the crowds.  They are not only sick, but they are hurting from loneliness, misunderstanding, a lack of concern by some, as well as helpful family and friends who are powerless to heal them.  In addition, whatever else belongs to the emotions, feelings, and thoughts of the mind - that is, everything found in our common humanity - the people of Jesus' time are just like you.  They had needs.  Thankfully, Jesus was more than enough for all of their needs.  Further, and equally good news, He is still the same.  Men change.  God never does.  Jesus, who is God in the flesh, has never changed.  He is still the healer.

 

The writer of the Book of Hebrews - presumably the Apostle Paul, tells us -   "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever." (Heb 13:8). Now, look at the word "same." It means what it says.   Whether you read it in Greek, Hebrew, or English, the word "same" means - identical, equal, unchanged, constant, consistent, and invariable.  The word "same" means "same." Jesus Christ is the same.  Again, men change, theologians change, ministers change, Churches change, seminaries and Bible colleges change, but Jesus never does.  For this you should be glad.  Jesus Christ and His Gospel is still the same today as it was yesterday. Further, it will be forever the same until there is no more need for healing or salvation.  Then, and only then, will the Gospel change. 

 

Yet, even when there is no more need to heal, deliver, or save, Jesus will still be the same because He is the Son of God.  He is the Second Person of the Trinity.  He is eternal.  Before time was, He is.  After every prophecy is fulfilled, and God creates new heavens and a new earth, Jesus will still be the same.   In the meantime, while sickness and disease, sin and all the suffering it brings is with us, so is Christ.  Thankfully, He is still the same.

 

Concerning the centurion in Luke chapter 7, you see extraordinary faith.  The faith of the centurion is so strong (and uncommon) he tells Jesus He does not need to make the trip to his house.  Being a soldier with authority (a Roman centurion was an officer with 100 men under him) he understands what it means to give an order and to have that order obeyed.  The centurion is able to make a connection with his position in the Roman army and the authority of Jesus Christ.  That is, when a centurion gives an order it is carried out immediately.  Thus, this man saw in Jesus a similar trait.  Therefore, the centurion is able to utter - "say in a word." This means, he knew all Jesus had to do was to "speak the word" and his servant would be healed.  As you can see the Bible records the centurion's servant was healed in that same hour.

 

Thus, the subject of faith - that is, faith in God, is before you again.  Knowing the Scriptures are inspired by God the Holy Spirit (the third person of the Trinity), in order to obtain answers to prayer you must put forth faith.  The situation between the centurion and yours is similar.  Jesus does not need to physically be in your room, house, or wherever you are.  It is sufficient, that Jesus can hear you, and all He needs to do is "say in a word." When Jesus speaks - as recorded in Genesis chapter 1, material things are created from things that are not seen.  However, the Person behind the creation you do know.  His name is Jesus.  He is "God with us."

 

Therefore, be like the centurion.  You do not see Jesus now.  You no longer know Him according to the flesh, even as the people of the first century knew Him.   Specifically, Jesus is raised from the dead, seated at the right hand of God, and is our Great High Priest.  That is, Jesus is in the Heavens.  He cannot be seen but His works can.  Tell Jesus, although you are not worthy, if He will just "speak the word" you will be healed.  This is the prayer of faith.  It is putting your trust in the Word of God.  The great news is - Jesus is still the same.  He is the healer.

 

Mat_21:22  And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

 

Jas 5:14  Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: Jas 5:15  And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.