September 30 Love Your Enemies

Luke 7:1-5 When Jesus had finished saying all this in the hearing of the people, 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.” 
 
THE sermon “on a level place” (Luke 6:17), also known as Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1b he went up to a mountainside and sat down) is completed. (See September 19 lesson to learn how this is generally considered to be the same sermon.) Our Savior now goes to minister the gospel’s transformational power to his chosen people, the Jews. But in the Father’s providence, the first person Jesus encounters is actually not “his people”, but he is a Gentile. He is one from a foreign land not descended from Abraham. Does he deserve to hear the gospel, too?
   He certainly does. See the Father’s plan announced in Genesis 18:18Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him. Then note the Son’s mission “to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:19). Indeed, this gentile will be among the first of “the nations” to experience the power and glory of the Lord’s favor through Jesus’ saving power.
   You see, the centurion was a Roman commander of 100 men. Representing Rome, he was the Jews’ enemy, the embodiment of a Gentile nation’s oppressive power over Judah. Rome took from the Jews. Rome did not help them. The centurion had authority to do about anything he wanted in Capernaum to keep order.
   But see what the centurion wanted to do to fulfill his mission. He chose to be an exception to Rome’s oppression. The centurion chose to help the Jews, building their synagogue. The Jewish elders viewed him with respect. What do you think motivated him to act with such a helpful mercy into his “enemy’s” culture?
   We can answer this as we “visit” another centurion at his household in Acts 10. There you will meet, as the apostle Peter did, Cornelius: Acts 10:1-3 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. 3 One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”
   From there Acts writer, Luke (Yes, he is the same as the gospel writer.) described how the Holy Spirit directed Peter to go to Cornelius’ home to proclaim the gospel with this result: Acts 10:44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. Thess Roman citizens were transformed under Peter’s gospel preaching and the Holy Spirit’s power.
   In a like manner, the Holy Spirit is the reason the centurion in Capernaum sent for Jesus. Inside this Roman, God’s favor of salvation was working long before this. The Father’s sovereign plan and purpose for this centurion was to form mercy in his heart. The centurion’s mercy to the Jews would ultimately lead to the servant’s healing.
   This is the power of Kingdom authority in everyday life. In his just-completed sermon, Jesus taught, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” (Luke 6:27b) When Jesus healed the centurion’s favored servant, the centurion and the servant both experienced the Lord’s favor. The centurion had “loved his enemies” as he helped the Jews. The Jews had loved the centurion as they urged Jesus to go to the sick servant. The Lord, then, rewarded their love. This man of authority experienced a far greater authority in Judah than himself or Rome.
   God the Father chose this centurion and Cornelius to see Jesus as Lord. The Spirit quickened their spirits to seek the Son. The Son’s saving power became real before them.
   As you call Jesus, “Lord”, remember with a grateful heart that the Lord’s favor of his teaching is the true authority for your life.
 
Prayer: I pray, Father, for my “enemies’ who are suffering disease, poverty, hunger or despair. Holy Spirit, quicken their spirits to seek the Lord’s saving power. Amen.