Musings from Gravel Hill

Published: December 07, 2025 at 09:30 PM

This was originally going to be a few brief thoughts for a Sunday morning meeting, but I didn’t want to lose them to a notebook margin or a half-remembered outline.

I was enjoying Luke 7 this morning. It’s a chapter that feels both strong and tender at the same time, one of those places in Scripture where the Lord Jesus is presented with a clarity that quietly steadies the heart.

In Luke 7 we get at least three simple looks into our Lord: His authority, His compassion, and His forgiving grace.

Authority that strengthens faith

Luke 7:6–9 (KJV)
[6] Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:
[7] Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.
[8] For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
[9] When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

The centurion stands out for two reasons that belong together.

First, his humility: “I am not worthy.”
Second, his confidence in Christ: “say in a word.”

He doesn’t trust his own deserving. He trusts the authority of the Lord Jesus. That is such a good reminder to carry into any gathering of worship. We don’t approach God because we are worthy in ourselves, but because Christ is worthy, and because His word is enough.

Compassion that meets grief

Luke 7:13–15 (KJV)
[13] And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.
[14] And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.
[15] And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.

This is one of those scenes that has always stayed with me.

“And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her…” So precious, so simple.

The One we come to remember is not only mighty. He is tender. His compassion isn’t a side-note to His character, it is part of the beauty of who He is. He sees sorrow, and He is not indifferent to it.

Grace that forgives fully

Luke 7:47–50 (KJV)
[47] Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
[48] And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
[49] And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?
[50] And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

The woman’s love is described as the evidence of grace received. The question is asked: “Who is this that forgiveth sins also?”

Thankfully, we know who He is.

Luke shows us a love that flows because forgiveness has already been given. This is grace that doesn’t merely clean a record, it draws out worship.

A simple summary

So in a very plain way, Luke 7 sets these truths in front of us:

Authority that strengthens faith,
Compassion that meets grief,
Grace that forgives fully and draws out worship.

We were unworthy, and we still would be, left to ourselves. But we have been made accepted through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Just a few quiet thoughts from a morning reading. But they felt worth keeping close.