Luke 7
1 Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum.
"Capernaum" is from the word "Consolation".
2 And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.
3 And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant.
A Roman army officer showing his faith in Christ.
4 And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:
These elders tell Christ the Roman Centurion was worthy of favor from Him. Like Christ needs to hear that from them before He would do anything.
5 For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.
Christ never needed a reason to heal. He just healed!
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.
This Roman centurion shows more faith than most do today. He believes Christ speaks it, it's done. Many question The Word today because they allow to much of the world to control their minds. If we would just erase the world when we read The Word, we would gain the knowledge and wisdom He wants us to live in and our faith would lie in Him, not satans tricks.
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.
He is aware he has those over him just as he is over others. Humility!
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.
10 And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.
11 And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people.
"Nain" is from the word "Beauty".
12 Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.
A funeral is taking place and people are carrying this young man to the cemetery outside of the city.
13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.
She was beyond herself in grief and The Lord is there for her.
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.
She didn't ask for a healing, but Christ was there to give it. Only God in the flesh could have done this in front of their eyes.
15 And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.
You can only imagine what this young man had to say. Our Father is of the living, not the dead.
16 And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.
After seeing this, they all knew God was there.
17 And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.
18 And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things.
They passed the word about all the things Christ is doing.
19 And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
The question John is asking is not are you the Messiah, but is this Your only coming or is their another to come also?
20 When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
Is this the only time you'll come, or should we look for a second advent?
21 And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.
22 Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.
They need to go back to the prison John is in and tell him of these things.
23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
John is in prison for the preaching of Christ. He is reassured his reward is his for doing so. Matthew 10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
24 And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
When you saw John in the wilderness, did you think you would see a man swaying from one thing to another or staying focused in The Truth. There are so many in this world that call themselves Christians and they might believe Christ is real, but they don't have time for Him and His Way, but follow everything the world says is good. These people are a "reed shaken with the wind", swaying from one direction to another. Whatever comes, they go with it.
25 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts.
John wasn't one to look as good as what society wanted others to look like. He wouldn't fall for the ways of the world.
26 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.
When they saw John, a man dressed in camel skin, they saw more than a man that even today would [look] like a nut, but he was a messenger of God. John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
27 This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
Ref. Malachi 3:1 Behold, I will send My messenger, and he shall prepare the way before Me: and the Lord, Whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.
28 For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
John the Baptist, the greatest prophet, but while in the flesh he does not measure up to the least that have entered into the kingdom of God at this time. Its because this flesh is in its sinful nature.
29 And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.
Everyone that heard John, the good, the bad and the ugly, came to be baptized by John, including The Only One without sin, The Lord Christ Jesus Yahsua.
30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.
31 And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?
How are they like?
32 They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.
They just don't know what to do when things are right in front of them that can show them the direction to go.
33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil.
These scribes and pharisees refused the simplicity of John's message and turned what is good, into being evil in their eyes. Should sound familiar today. Isaiah 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
34 The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!
These scribes and pharisees twist what they see into what they want others to believe.
35 But wisdom is justified of all her children.
Wisdom cannot have ignorant children. They're on top of it. Truth cannot be twisted in the minds of the wise.
36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat.
37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,
38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.
This Pharisee thinks pretty highly of himself seeing this lady came in with humility and repentance; tears flowing from her eyes and he calls her a sinner and questions Christ being of God.
40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.
41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
It was a customary greeting for that day. If you entered a house, you take off the sandals, and you would wash the feet of the guest. Simon fails to do any of it.
45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
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.
How far you go in your Christian walk determines your love for God. You can say you love The Lord, but what are you doing with your day? Have you picked up His Word? Have you done the things He has shown us to do?
48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
Her love for The Lord gave her repenting heart away.
49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?
Simon and these other pharisees lost it after hearing Christ forgive her sins. They know only God can do that and their spiritual blindness refuses Christ Jesus, Emanuel = God with us.
50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
She doesn't need to stay there and listen to those self-righteousness ones. The Truth gives peace of mind and there is no reason to waste time with evil.