📖 Digging Deeper: Luke 7:1–17

📖 Scripture: Luke 7:1–17 (ESV)

When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. There a centurion's servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, "This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue." So Jesus went with them.

He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: "Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 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."

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." Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.

Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. 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. When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, "Don’t cry."

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!" The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.

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." This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.

🔍 Verse-by-Verse Reflections

Luke 7:1-2
Jesus finishes His sermon and enters Capernaum. A Roman centurion’s servant is sick and near death. We’re immediately shown a contrast between power (the centurion) and need (the servant).

Luke 7:3-5
The centurion shows humility by sending Jewish elders to ask for help. His good relationship with the Jewish people is notable—he’s respected and generous. This opens the door for intercession.

Luke 7:6-8
Before Jesus even gets to his house, the centurion sends a message: I am not worthy. This is radical humility for someone with status and authority. He recognizes Jesus’ power and compares it to military command: "Just say the word." It’s one of the clearest declarations of faith in all of Scripture.

Luke 7:9-10
Jesus is amazed. The faith of this Gentile centurion outshines all He’s seen in Israel. This affirms that faith is not about religious background—but about heart posture.

Luke 7:11-12
Now in Nain, we meet a grieving widow. The situation is dire—she's lost her only son, and with him, likely her security and livelihood. Jesus is surrounded by a crowd, but still sees her.

Luke 7:13
His compassion leads. "Don’t cry," He says, not dismissively, but as One about to intervene. His heart is moved deeply—this is God with us.

Luke 7:14-15
Jesus touches the bier—a shocking act for a Jew (it made one unclean). But Jesus isn’t concerned with contamination—He is the source of life. His words carry authority: "Young man, I say to you, get up!" And the dead obey.

Luke 7:16-17
The people are in awe. They recognize Jesus as a prophet, but more: "God has come to help His people." The miracle spreads like wildfire. Jesus isn’t just a healer. He’s the embodiment of divine mercy.

📝 Journal Prompts

• Where do I need to say, "Lord, just say the word"?

• Am I approaching God with the centurion’s humility?

• Do I trust Jesus to see and respond to the pain I think is hidden?

• What miracle of compassion do I need to invite into my life today?

🙏 Closing Prayer: Jesus, You are the Word that heals, restores, and raises what I thought was dead. Teach me the kind of faith that trusts without needing proof. Help me walk with a posture of humility and expectation. Speak into my broken places, and bring life where grief has settled. I believe You are the God who sees, who comes near, and who acts in love. Amen.

With grace,
Erica

✨ What spoke to you in today’s reflection? I’d love to hear your thoughts—leave a comment below! 🌿

Faith That Moves Him: Luke 7:1–17

📖 Scripture Focus:

Luke 7:1–17 — The Centurion’s Servant & The Widow’s Son

🪞 Opening Reflection:

Some prayers are whispered through tears. Others are never spoken aloud — only carried silently in the heart.

This week’s Bible study reminded me of a time when I prayed for God to move, but didn’t feel worthy to even ask. It was during a season where I felt like I hadn’t “done enough” to deserve His help. But in Luke 7, we see something incredible: Jesus moves anyway.

Whether it’s the centurion, who felt unworthy to even have Jesus enter his home…
Or the widow, who never even asked for a miracle…
Jesus responded — not to their perfection, but to their faith and their need.

🌿 Grace for the Journey Moment

As I read these verses, I thought: How many times have I hesitated to pray because I thought I had to get it all together first?

But the centurion simply believed:

“Just say the word, and my servant will be healed.” (Luke 7:7)

And the widow? She was just… there. Broken. Weeping. And Jesus saw her. He had compassion on her and moved toward her pain.

🧠 Study Takeaways & Reflection

From our study, here’s what stayed with me:

• Faith doesn’t have to be loud — sometimes, it’s quiet but full of trust.

• Jesus sees our need before we even speak.

• We don’t have to “qualify” for His compassion.

📝 Journal This:

• When was a time you prayed without words — and God still answered?

• Do you ever feel “unworthy” to ask Jesus for help? Why?

• What is one thing you need to trust Him with from a distance this week?

🙏 Closing Prayer:

Jesus, thank You that You move with compassion. Thank You that I don’t have to perform to get Your attention. Increase my faith, even when I feel far off. And remind me that You see me… and that is enough.

With grace,
Erica

✨ What spoke to you in today’s reflection? I’d love to hear your thoughts—leave a comment below! 🌿

Built to Last: Luke 6:46–49

📖 Scripture Focus: Luke 6:46–49 (ESV)

"Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great."

🪞 Opening Reflection:

These verses stopped me in my tracks.

I remember a season when I was saying all the right things—posting Scripture, quoting truth, going through the motions. But my life was shaky. It wasn’t until things started to crumble that I realized: I had been listening without obeying.

Jesus asks a hard question in verse 46. And then He paints a picture—not of perfect people, but of those who dig deep and build on what He says, not just what they hear.

🌿 Grace for the Journey Moment:

This passage reminded me: we are all building something with our lives. The question is what foundation are we building on?

Obedience isn’t about legalism—it’s about stability. Jesus says storms will come… and what we’ve built will show.

🧠 Verse-by-Verse Study & Reflection Questions:

Luke 6:46

"Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I say?"
Jesus challenges empty words. If He is truly Lord, obedience must follow.

• Why is there a disconnect between calling Him “Lord” and obeying His Word?

Luke 6:47

"Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them..."
This is the true disciple: one who comes, hears, and acts.

• Are you coming to Jesus, or just listening from a distance?

• Are you applying what He speaks?

Luke 6:48

"He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock..."

• What does “digging deep” look like in your walk with Christ?

• Are you actively building on His Word?

• How do you respond when trials (floods) come?

Luke 6:49

"But the one who hears and does not do them..."

• What kind of foundation is your life resting on?

• Is there an area where you're hearing God but resisting action?

📝 Journal This:

• Where in your life is God asking you to go deeper, not just know more?

• What truths are you hearing but not yet doing?

• What spiritual “structure” are you trying to build—and what is it sitting on?

• “Lord, show me the areas of my life where I’ve built without You as the foundation. Help me obey not just in word but in action.”

🙏 Closing Prayer:

Lord, help me not just to hear You—but to follow You. Forgive me for the times I’ve called You Lord but have not truly submitted to Your voice.

Teach me to dig deep, not for approval, but for truth. Strengthen my foundation with Your Word and steady my steps with obedience. When the storms come, may I be found still standing… because I stood on You.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

With grace,
Erica

✨ What spoke to you in today’s reflection? I’d love to hear your thoughts—leave a comment below! 🌿