BibleProject | One Story That Leads to JesusSample

Jesus unveils a royal manifesto through his speech in the wilderness, sometimes called the “Sermon on the Plain” (Luke 6:17-49). He exposes the folly in wanting money or status. Instead, he calls his followers to want right relationships with all neighbors. Seeking these relationships includes showing forgiveness and generosity, rejecting violence and revenge, and welcoming others, especially outsiders, with impartial love. Watch the video for a close-up look at Jesus’ teaching about the folly in judging others and the wisdom in loving others humbly.

In today’s reading, Jesus lives what he teaches by healing a man with a withered hand and then blessing two so-called “others,” a Roman centurion and a poor widow. The centurion’s high rank may afford wealth and power, but neither of those can restore his servant’s life. So he turns his full attention to Jesus. This reliance on me for life, Jesus says, is an expression of faith so strong that, so far, I haven’t seen anything like it in Israel (Luke 7:9).

Let that sink in. Surrounded by Israelites who regarded themselves as “faithful” (certainly more than any non-Israelite), Jesus declares that this Gentile enemy, a Roman warrior, somehow expresses the deepest, most genuine faith seen in Israel. After that, people had to rethink everything they knew about faith.

Then Jesus travels to another town and encounters a weeping widow whose only son has died. In her culture, this means she has no provision or future. Jesus has compassion and restores her dead son to life. Later, John the Baptizer sends a message: Jesus, are you truly the promised Messiah? John probably wouldn’t ask that if Jesus were winning battles against his enemies.

But Jesus answers by pointing to what he sees as his biggest victories, his miraculous sign acts that show God’s Kingdom breaking in. The blind see, Jesus says. The dead are raised. The poor receive good news. In real time, he is fulfilling the promises of Isaiah 61 that he read in his hometown synagogue (Luke 4). Jubilee is here!

Yes, Jesus is the victorious king and the true Messiah. He is waging war, but he’s waging war against the darkness that blinds, corrupts, and kills people—not against people themselves. That was as shocking to John the Baptizer as it is for us today.

Reflection Questions

• In Jesus’ sermon in Luke, he says “blessed are the poor,” while in Matthew, he states “blessed are the poor in spirit.” Why do you think Luke wants to emphasize the economically poor?
• Jesus redirects our impulse to judge others and instead creates an opportunity for critical self-reflection. Can you recall stories in Scripture where a character’s willingness to embrace self-reflection might have helped that person avoid pitfalls? Can you think of other moments when characters were honest about their shortcomings, which led to humility?