Advent Challenge Day 7

Luke 7

Chapter seven starts with one of the greatest examples of faith in the Gospels – and it came from a Roman centurion. Having come to Jesus for his sick slave, he proclaims himself unworthy of having Jesus in his house, but simply asks Jesus to proclaim him well and it would be done! What a brilliant act of faith, building upon Jesus’ words (as we heard in the previous chapter), and saving his slaves life!

Next, we have a miraculous healing of a dead man, the only son of a widow, and in turn gives his mother back hope for a future too. Jesus’ fame is spread wide and broad throughout the land.

Jesus’ praise of his cousin John is nothing less than amazing – v28, “I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John”. In praising John’s faithfulness to his God-given calling, he criticises the religious leaders of the day for their rejection of God’s call.

Finally in this chapter, we have the story of Jesus visiting a Pharisee’s house for a meal. A lady of the town (a sinner) attends and anoints Jesus with a jar of perfume. Please note that there is no suggestion that this woman is a prostitute, in spite of the traditional opinion – and the Pharisee is amazed that Jesus is allowing any woman to touch him. In the Jewish society, women were not allowed to approach or touch a man who wasn’t her husband – so this is a clear breach of protocol, no matter who the woman was! Jesus defends her actions and proclaims her forgiven of her sins – again a clear antagonism to the Pharisees around the table. “Go in peace” Jesus told the woman – what would he say to us? How would we react in Simon's situation? Would we be ashamed and affronted, or would we see a lady worshipping her Lord in the best way she knew how? Would we be guilty of judging her, or loving her as Jesus clearly did?

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