Outsiders as Insiders

Week Two - Day 7

Today's Reading -- Luke 7:1 to Luke 8:56

As Jesus’ ministry moves from instruction back to action, Luke makes it clear that Jesus is willing to reach out and include all people.  First he receives an appeal to heal the slave of a centurion, a member of the Roman occupying power; but the centurion also had a heart for the Jewish nation.  Although a gentile, he had generously helped to build the local synagogue in Capernaum.  His sympathies would probably make him a “seeker” inclined towards the faith of the people.  That Jesus commends the centurion’s faith as surpassing that of the chosen people signals that Jesus’ message would become inclusive of all nations.

Next, he raises back to life the dead son of a widow.  Widows were among the more powerless and helpless in society and her son was probably her sole means of survival.  Jesus’ compassion for the powerless moved him to draw them back into the community.  He then follows this up by declaring that a sinful woman, an outcast to religious elite, is forgiven of her sins.  Jesus models that it is better to show great love than to seek righteousness for one’s self.  Luke then finishes off this section about Jesus’ interaction with women by noting that there were women among the traveling companions and financial supporters of Jesus and the apostles.

With these and several other encounters we see the ever-expanding mission of God.  No one is outside of God’s grace, not even those that society, the church, or even we might seek to exclude.