Luke, Chapter 7
Welcome to week seven of Luke/Acts 2020! Our structure is the same as week six: 1) I give an introduction to the reading, 2) there's a recording of me reading the chapter, 3) followed by questions & an explanation; 4) I'll post a hymn that you can read if you'd like, and 5) we'll close with a prayer. If you have a Bible, open it to Luke, chapter seven. If not, you can find Luke chapter seven online. Let's get started! And if you have questions or thoughts at the end, leave a comment or send me an email.
1) Introduction: How do you think Theophilus reacted to this Gospel that Luke wrote for him? Did he cry when first reading it? Did he believe all of it? For the most part, or entirely, I bet he did. Did he want all of his friends to read it?! Did he hold it beside him, while sleeping, for comfort? Could he have even fathomed that what he held would make it to us? We're reading the same verses Theophilus read! We're reading it in a different language, sure. But nonetheless, we're reading the same content about Jesus. Chapter seven is, once again, FULL of words and actions by the Lord. To have seen these things would have been incredible. Let's dig in!
2) Recording: Here is a recording of Luke, chapter seven.
| luke_7.m4a |
3) Explanation & Questions: How did today's reading make you feel? What was your favorite part(s)? And why was it your favorite? Since Jesus' baptism, we've read of numerous intimate moments between him and others. In chapter seven, there are MANY such encounters. The centurion, who wasn't even a Jew, witnessed the power of Jesus' word. If you were the widow of Nain, how would you have reacted? The people in response thought God had visited them! John the Baptist needed extra comfort to KNOW that Jesus was the Messiah. A woman kissed Jesus' feet! Oh my goodness is a lot happening in chapter seven--there are many heart-touching moments, and many hearts were touched. For digging deeper, see my Google Doc that discusses specific verses and terms. Be sure to scroll down to chapter seven.
4) Hymn: Here is a reading of the hymn "Speak, O Lord, Your Servant Listens." The lyrics are below if you'd like to read them :)
| speak_o_lord_your_servant_listens.m4a |
Speak, O Lord, Your servant listens, Let Your Word to me come near;
Newborn life and spirit give me, Let each promise still my fear.
Death's dread pow'r, its inward strife, Wars against Your Word of life;
Fill me, Lord, with love's strong fervor That I cling to You forever!
Oh, what blessing to be near You And to listen to Your voice;
Let me ever love and hear You, Let Your Word be now my choice!
Many hardened sinners, Lord, Flee in terror at Your Word;
But to all who feel sin's burden You give words of peace and pardon.
Lord, Your words are waters living When my thirsting spirit pleads.
Lord, Your words are bread life-giving; On Your words my spirit feeds.
Lord, Your words will be my light Through death's cold and dreary night;
Yes, they are my sword prevailing And my cup of joy unfailing!
As I pray, dear Jesus, hear me; Let Your words in me take root.
May Your Spirit e'er be near me That I bear abundant fruit.
May I daily sing Your praise, From my heart glad anthems raise,
Till my highest praise is given In the endless joy of heaven.
Newborn life and spirit give me, Let each promise still my fear.
Death's dread pow'r, its inward strife, Wars against Your Word of life;
Fill me, Lord, with love's strong fervor That I cling to You forever!
Oh, what blessing to be near You And to listen to Your voice;
Let me ever love and hear You, Let Your Word be now my choice!
Many hardened sinners, Lord, Flee in terror at Your Word;
But to all who feel sin's burden You give words of peace and pardon.
Lord, Your words are waters living When my thirsting spirit pleads.
Lord, Your words are bread life-giving; On Your words my spirit feeds.
Lord, Your words will be my light Through death's cold and dreary night;
Yes, they are my sword prevailing And my cup of joy unfailing!
As I pray, dear Jesus, hear me; Let Your words in me take root.
May Your Spirit e'er be near me That I bear abundant fruit.
May I daily sing Your praise, From my heart glad anthems raise,
Till my highest praise is given In the endless joy of heaven.
5) Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for the faith of the centurion. He was a Roman, yet he believed in you (and in your powerful Word). Thank you for having compassion on the widow of Nain. You raised her son. You did the impossible and undoubtedly shocked them and made them glad! Thank you for comforting John, and for allowing a "sinful" woman to touch you and cry in front of you. Thank you for forgiving her and allowing her to go in peace. Please give us faith like the centurion, and help us to love you as the sinful woman loved you. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Disclaimer: I should mention I do not have copyright permission regarding the particular Bible I'm using. I am reading an ESV edition in this recording. The majority of hymns I choose are in the public domain as this one is, and I reference the Lutheran Service Book a lot. If you'd like to follow me and learn more about what I do, especially dance-wise, you can find me on Facebook, Instagram & YouTube. I will be posting these devotions each Friday. May they be a blessing to you. Enjoy the journey! Have a wonderful week. -Tessa
P.S. If you'd like to learn about my solo dance show, click here. It's my life story danced out. I am also currently writing my autobiography, and you can read some of it here.
P.S. If you'd like to learn about my solo dance show, click here. It's my life story danced out. I am also currently writing my autobiography, and you can read some of it here.