LUKE 7

The faith of the centurion is on display, as he asks Jesus for healing for a servant, yet he feels unworthy to have Jesus to even come to his house. “Just say the word”, he pleas with Jesus. And Jesus rewards his faith, and heals the servant. Makes me wonder what the centurion told the servant…

Later, in a city called Nain, he shows compassion on a widow who had lost her son. He raises the son back to life, in front of a pretty large crowd. So in a short span of time, He reaches out to two people that most would not give much time to: a Roman centurion (the Jews hated being occupied by Rome), and a widow (hardly worth any effort, rather “worthless” to society). And all the while, He is trying hard to reach those who are in the “in” crowd. Yes, Jesus’ call is universal, we all need Him.

OK, another favorite from Luke, John the Baptist (in prison) has his disciples go ask Jesus if He is THE one, the Messiah. John is near execution and has momentary doubts, very understandable. Jesus answers them/him by quoting parts of Isaiah 35 and 61 (yes, the same 61 He quoted from when reading from the scroll), prophecies which He had just recently been fulfilling. John, a prophet, would completely understand, and could rest easily. And Jesus calls anyone who does not take offense with Him “blessed”. The Pharisees listening in had not wanted to accept John’s message of repentance, and neither would they receive the message of Jesus. They ridiculed John for not eating certain foods and not drinking any wine; they ridiculed Jesus for eating more liberally and for drinking wine. They simply had hard hearts, and wanted nothing of God’s truth as displayed by John and Jesus.

Jesus is anointed by an immoral woman, the text calls her a “sinner”, and the implication could be that of an adulterer, a prostitute, not sure. Anyway, she recognizes His greatness and mercy, and anoints His feet with expensive perfume and her tears. The Pharisee doubts He is a prophet, otherwise He would know who this woman really is. Jesus goes on to explain through a parable about how this woman has “loved” much, she has a greater love for the one forgiving her than do others who are not apparently so “sinful”. There is no Aramaic word for “thankfulness”, which is what the context demands here. Aramaic was the common language of the day, which Jesus likely spoke. She, being known to be immoral, and having a much rougher past than this Pharisee (Simon), is more thankful for Jesus. The point is, both he and she should be equally thankful, because both are equal as sinners, and both have sin separating them from God.

And, when He declares her sins forgiven, again come the comments about “Who does He think He is, forgiving sin?” He’s God.

SO WHAT…?

So, I pray I never take my faith for granted, and realize, like the centurion, like the widow, that He can still do the miraculous.

So, when I may doubt, or when life’s turns can be discouraging, like John, I can be assured that He is still God, and He is still in control.

So, I pray I never stop being thankful that He would save a wretch like me.