A Mysterious Prophet In Galilee

Luke 7:1-35

After an unforgettable sermon, Jesus returned to Capernaum, in Galilee. This was the place where He had a big disagreement about what was lawful to do on the Sabbath. Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath, and the Pharisees “were filled with rage" (Luke 6:11 NKJV).

Mark 3:6 further describes the evil intentions of the Pharisees. They were plotting with the Herodians to destroy Jesus. Refer to my previous post for more information about their disagreements.

A Centurion’s Faith (Luke 7:1-10)

This drama led Jesus to leave Capernaum to preach and teach elsewhere. In Luke 7:1-10, Jesus got a message from a Centurion in Capernaum. He sent Jewish elders to find Jesus. They asked Him to come and heal the Centurion’s beloved servant, who was near death.

I believe these elders had plotted or had knowledge of the Pharisees’ plan. Ironically, they were now begging Jesus to come back to Capernaum. Only God could have orchestrated such a situation. The elders must have felt uncomfortable trying to convince Jesus to help them. They told Jesus that the Centurion was a kind man. He loved God and built a synagogue for the Jewish people in Capernaum (Luke 7:5).

I wonder what led to this man’s conversion to the Jewish faith? Most Romans believed in many gods, and for a Roman to embrace the Jewish concept of the One God was surprising. I also wonder if that beloved servant was the one who introduced him to God?

As Jesus got closer to his house, the Centurion sent word to Him. “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed” (Luke 7:6-7 NKJV).

The Centurion recognized the authority of Christ by calling Him Lord. Do you and I recognize God’s authority and power in our lives?

The Romans reserved this title for the emperor of Rome. Jesus marveled at his faith. We are not told what Jesus said. But when the men returned from their mission, they found their friend’s servant well. The man may have felt unworthy, but he still remembered his faith and sought the Lord, and God came through for him.

As Christians today, I am glad we don’t have to send messages begging Jesus to help us. We can have confidence in approaching the throne of mercy and grace because of what Christ did for us (Hebrews 4:16).

A Widow in Nain (Luke 7:11-17)

Shortly after this, Jesus resumes his ministry outside of Capernaum. He didn’t stay long enough for the Centurion to thank Him properly. But Jesus wasn’t about earthly rewards. He left and went to Nain, a city about twenty-five miles southwest of Capernaum. This is the only mention of Nain in the Bible. But there was a city called Shunem in the Old Testament that was not far away. And the prophet Elisha raised a widow’s son from the dead (2 Kings 4:8-37).

Mark Barnes, a writer for the Evangelical Magazine, states. “By the time of Jesus, Shunem was no more, and the main body of population had moved to a city called Nain, a few miles from the International Coastal Highway.” See his interesting article about Nain and Shunem.

When Jesus arrived at Nain, a funeral was about to take place. A widow was weeping and mourning the loss of her son. “When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep." Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise" (Luke 7:13-14 NKJV).

He sat up and started to speak. The whole city was in awe and said, "A great prophet has risen up among us," and "God has visited His people" (Luke 7:16 NKJV).

Her testimony reminds us that God has the power to transform our lives. No doubt, having her son was such a blessing, and it completely changed her life. But Jesus also has power over life and death. He told Mary and Martha in John 11:25 that He was the resurrection and the life. Shortly after He said those words, Lazarus came out of the grave.

Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:16 that whosoever believes in Him will have eternal life. Thank the Lord that God helps us in this life and in the one to come.

John and His Question

When John the Baptist’s disciples saw what Jesus was doing, they immediately reported back to him. John sent a message asking Jesus, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?" (Luke 7:19 NKJV).

John testified that Jesus was the Son of God. He saw the Holy Spirit descend upon Him and heard a voice from Heaven, declaring Jesus was the Son of God. Why would John have doubts about Jesus after hearing about this miracle in Nain?

There are several things to consider before answering these questions. First, Capernaum and Nain were part of a large region called Galilee. In 1 Kings 9:10-14, King Solomon gave Hiram, the King of Tyre, 20 cities in Galilee. They were payment for his help in building the Temple. Hiram was very dissatisfied with the land Solomon had given him. He called it Cabal or worthless, and good for nothing in modern terms (1 Kings 9:10-14, CEV).

Many years later, the Jews referred to this region as the Galilee of Gentiles. (Matthew 4:15). See Easterman's Bible Dictionary. Both Nain and Capernaum were part of this Jewish and Gentile region.

Second, during the time of Jesus, the Roman Empire controlled the land that God gave to Israel. Many in Israel were anticipating the day a descendant of David would come to restore God’s Kingdom to Israel. In 2 Samuel 7:16, the Lord made a Covenant with King David that his descendants and kingdom would last forever.

When John the Baptist said Jesus was the Son of God. Some thought Jesus was the Messiah or the chosen one. Nathanael wasn't convinced at first, but eventually called Him the Son of God and King of Israel (John 1:45-51). After the resurrection of Jesus, the disciples asked: “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”. (Acts 1:6, NKJV).

With that being said, notice what Jews in Jerusalem said about Jesus and Galilee in John 7.

"Truly, this is the Prophet." Others said, "This is the Christ." But some said, "Will the Christ come out of Galilee? Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?" So there was a division among the people because of Him” (John 7:40-43, NKJV).

Later, other Pharisees said to Nicodemus, who met with Jesus in John 3, "Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee." (John 7:52, NKJV).

We know Jesus was born in Bethlehem, but people during his time assumed He was from Galilee. John knew Jesus was God’s Son. But he also wondered why the future King of the Jews was spending so much time outside of Jerusalem. It was not a good political move to hang around and do miracles for those whom many Jews looked down upon.

Some scholars believe that John was in prison during this time. If that is true, he may have wondered when Jesus would be King and free him from Herod's prison. Maybe he was a little impatient like the rest of us.

After John’s death, Jesus would raise Lazarus from the dead. And those in Jerusalem would put Him on a donkey. The whole town cheered as He entered the city. Jesus had a lot of support, and they possibly could have made Him King. But Jesus was not that kind of King. It was all a big Divine mystery. With all that the religious world was saying about Jesus, the mysterious prophet in Galilee, it’s no wonder John had questions.

Thanks for reading these posts. Have a great day.

Your friend, the Christian Writer