READING: LUKE 7 – A Centurian’s Faith, A Resurrection, A Question from John, and A Sinful Woman

Jewish elders asked Jesus to heal a Centurion’s slave. They said he is worthy, for he built their synagogue. Jesus went, but near his home, he sent friends saying, “I am not worthy to have You under my roof. Say the word, and my slave is healed.” The Centurion understood authority; he was under authority, and he exercised authority; he recognized Jesus’s authority. Amazed, Jesus said, “Israel hasn’t such faith!” 

Approaching Nain, Jesus saw a man being carried out for burial, the only son of his widowed mother. Jesus with compassion for her, said, “Do not weep,” and said to her son, “Rise!” The son sat up and spoke. “Fear seized all; they glorified God, saying, ‘A mighty prophet has risen among us.’” 

From Herod’s prison, John the Baptist sent two disciples to ask Jesus, “Are You the coming One, or should we wait for another?” Jesus answered, “Go tell John what you see and hear: The blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor hear the gospel. Blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.” (See Isa.32:3-4) 

Note the last sentence in the above. Who takes offense at Jesus? John is almost ready to renounce his testimony to Jesus; few Pharisees had faith in Him.  

Jesus spoke about John. “What did you see in the wilderness? A reed shaken by wind? [The reed was on Herod’s coins.] Did you see soft robes? Those in fine clothing are in royal palaces. [In case you didn’t get His first allusion to Herod!] Did you see a prophet? Yes! the messenger sent ahead of me! No man is greater than John; yet, the least in God’s kingdom is greater than he.”  

There is a parenthesis: Even tax collectors acknowledged God’s justice because they accepted John’s baptism; Pharisees refused it, rejecting God’s purpose. 

Jesus compared that generation with children calling, “We played the flute, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not weep.” John ate no bread and drank no wine; you say he has a demon. The Son of Man eats and drinks; you say, “He is a gluttonous drunk, befriending tax collectors.” 

Simon invited Jesus to eat. He took His place, and a prostitute brought a jar of ointment. “She stood at His feet, weeping; she bathed His feet with tears and dried them with hair.” The Pharisee thought, “A prophet would know she’s a prostitute.” Jesus spoke to Simon; “A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed 500 denarii, the other 50. Neither could pay; he canceled their debts. Which loved him more?” Simon replied, “The one with the greater debt.” Jesus said you’re right and reminded Simon how he gave Him no water for His feet, did not kiss Him, nor did he anoint His head. The woman bathed His feet, kissed His feet, and anointed them with ointment. Her sins are forgiven; she shows great love.  

Simon, forgiven little, loves little. 

What about us? 

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PRAY FOR YOURSELF 

Father, my God and Savior, I have many sins, and You have promised to forgive those who confess their sins. In Your forgiveness, I find much love, for this is my prayer, in Jesus’s name I pray for Your love. AMEN! 

MY PRAYER FOR YOU (and for me) . 

Holy Father, I pray for all who may read these words (and for myself) that we will see ourselves as the least in the Kingdom of God; let this humility be seen in all of us, that we may not be like the man who prayed, “We thank you we have it all figured out,” for this is my prayer, in His Holy Name, AMEN!