Lover of the Nation and Builder of a Synagogue - Luke 7:5

Luke the beloved physician wrote when Jesus, “had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum. And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die. And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this”, and in chapter seven and verse five of his book Luke shared how the “elders” told Jesus the Centurion, “loves our nation, and he has built us a synagogue” where we read:

For he loves our nation, and he has built us a synagogue.

The verse reads, “For he loves our nation, ...” Luke began with the words, “for he loves” or “because, since and on account that the centurion welcomes, entertains, is fond of, dearly loves and is well pleased with” “our nation” which means “the Jewish tribe, multitude of individuals of the same nature or genus and people group”. Luke shared how the “elders” told Jesus the “centurion” “loves” them as a people group.

The verse continues, “... and he has built us a synagogue.” Luke added the words, “and he has built us” which means “and the centurion erected, founded and established” “a synagogue” or “a sacred worship place where an assembly of Jews formally gathered together to offer prayers and listen to the reading and expositions of the scriptures”. Luke shared how the “elders” added that the “centurion” “built” them a “sacred worship” place in addition to loving them as a “nation”.

When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn why these “elders” believed the “centurion” deserved to have his “servant healed” by Jesus. They told Jesus the centurion not only loved them, but also demonstrated his care for the nation of the Jews by building them a “synagogue” within which they could worship God. Jesus will attend to the need of the “centurion's servant”, but for now let us consider how God takes note of people who “love” and “serve” His people. God's desire is to have a personal relationship with everyone through His Son Jesus, and when they yield their lives to Him as their “Savior and Lord”, they shall find Him not only willing to “save” them from their sins, but also provide them with “everlasting life”.

Next time Luke shares how the centurion tells Jesus, “Lord, trouble not yourself: for I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof:”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".