The Lord is Among Us

Greg Pinkner, teaching from Luke 7:1–16, explains how Luke follows Jesus’ teaching on mercy from the Sermon on the Mount with real-life examples of that mercy in action. In the story of the Roman centurion, an unlikely outsider demonstrates humility and remarkable faith in Jesus’ authority, believing He can heal his servant without being physically present. This contrasts with the expectations of the Jewish leaders, who emphasize worthiness and deeds, while the centurion trusts solely in Jesus’ power. The following story of the widow at Nain highlights Jesus’ compassion as He restores her only son to life, reversing her complete loss and demonstrating authority even over death. Together, these accounts show that Jesus’ authority and mercy are not earned by works but received through faith, even in the midst of suffering and unanswered questions.