READ LUKE 7

The first few verses of this chapter deal with another of Jesus’ miraculous healings. It was done from a distance, because the one being healed had representation from his employer.  The centurion was apparently was a good man who cared about those who worked for him.  He’d heard about Jesus and His healings.  When the servant grew ill, the Centurion contacted important leaders of the church to approach Jesus on his behalf.  Since he was not a Jew and not circumcised, he felt unworthy to approach Jesus himself.

Jesus went with them to the house of the centurion and was met by the great military man before stepping through the door.  The soldier demonstrated his faith in Jesus before He ever said a word.  His faith was the key factor in his servant’s healing.

Soon after this Jesus traveled to  Nain.  At the gate, a funeral procession was taking place.  A young man, the only son of his widowed mother, lay upon the bier.  They were taking him to be buried.  Jesus knew the woman’s situation.  He knew she would be alone and virtually helpless without her son.  He had compassion on her and told her not to cry.  He touched the bier and the son sat up and began to speak.  Jesus had raised the young man from death.  Word of this miracle spread like wildfire.  Surely this must be the promised Messiah they’d waited so long for.

Messengers from John the Baptist came to Jesus with a question from John. “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?”  To which Jesus replied, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers  are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

Jesus continues by giving John, the Baptist a wonderful testimony, stating that he was the one who made the way straight for the coming Savior.  His call to repentance would prepare the people for the Messiah – for Him.

The final section of this chapter is regarding the sinful woman who washed Jesus’ feet and anointed them with oil, mixed with her tears.  The Pharisees condemned the action, but Jesus  tells the parable of the money lender and how he dealt with two of his debtors. The point of the parable shows how much more gratitude the one with the greater debt would feel the joy of forgiveness.

The same is so true of us.  We are all sinners in God’s eyes.  Each sin carries the same weight.  The wages of sin is death, but by God’s grace and the beauty of His plan for salvation, we can rejoice in our forgiveness.

Let us go through the rest of this Advent season, with not only repentant hearts, but joy in the knowledge that our sins have been washed from our souls.  We are free from the bondage and chains of death, because Jesus took our place so we can inherit His kingdom after our final breath.