THE LOVE OF JESUS
Luke 7:1-16
Introduction
February is known for many things. President’s Day. Black History Month . Every four years - Leap Year! And Valentine’s Day! This month we are going to focus in on love. I know it is cliche to say, but what the world needs now is love, sweet love. And there is no greater expression of love than our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Bible exalts the love of Jesus Christ.
-Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love ofChrist?
-Galatians 2:20 ...I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
-Ephesians 3:18 ...grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ
-Jude 1:21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal
life.
-Revelation 1:5-6 To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
In our text for today there are two amazing stories of the love of Jesus - Luke 7:1-16.
First Story
In Capernaum a centurion had a servant who was sick and about to die. He sent word to Jesus to please come
and help him. When Jesus was on his way, the centurion sent friends who said, “6 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.
Second story Jesus is in a town called Nain and had a large crowd with him as he traveled. 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.”
From these two amazing stories I want you to contemplate with me some truths about how Jesus Loves.
1. The Love of Jesus Reaches Across the Distance.
He healed the Centurion's servant from far away. We are not too far from Jesus - but some things in our lives make us feel far away from Him. Sin we have harbored and protected. Unwillingness to repent of our sins. Unwilling to forgive someone who has hurt us. Whatever distance you feel between you and God, he is able to reach across the distance and bring healing and hope.
2. The Love of Jesus Reaches Across the Barriers.
Jesus lived in a time of Roman occupation. Centurion: Roughly equivalent to an army captain. He commanded a company of a hundred troops, in this case probably for Herod the tetrarch. Jesus complimented the faith of this Centurion - what did he say? More than all of Israel?
It is more important than ever for us to reach across every social barrier with the Gospel. If we do not - who will? Whatever those barriers might be, we should be tearing them down.
Ephesians 2:14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.
There is much hostility in our world. Christians need to be leading the way to overcoming that kind of hostility.
Racial, political, religious, even moral differences -love cannot die on the Altar of prejudice and judgment. Jesus found faith in an unexpected place, and we may also.
If you have felt the barriers that have been put up by some people, I encourage you to lead the way in loving outside of our cultural hostility, outrage, and objections.
3. The Love of Jesus Reaches to the Nobodies
The Widow of Nain - no support system, counting on her son to take care of her. A woman without any men to protect her was the most helpless of people, since wage work for women was rare. “His heart went out to her” … was Joseph dead and Jesus was aware of the struggle his mother endured as a widow in that culture? The ministry of Jesus was among the regular people - though he didn’t reject the wealthy and powerful. Whatever pain you bear, heartache you endure, sorrow you struggle with - the heart of Jesus is extended toward you.
4. The Love of Jesus Reaches to Rescue
He is the one who wipes the tears away and restores what is lost.
Revelation 21:5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this
down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Conclusion:
No one is beyond the outreaching love of Jesus.
It reaches across distance - you are not too far from Him.
It reaches across the barriers - you haven’t sinned too much for Him to care.
It reaches to the nobodies - you may think you’re not important enough or good enough for Jesus - but you’re
wrong. He sees and loves you.
It reaches to rescue - and He desires to rescue all of us.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
1 Timothy 1:14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
Video of this message can be found on the Forsythe Church of Christ YouTube Channel.
Audio of this message can be heard on the Podbean hosted Forsythe Church of Christ podcast.
Thanks!
