Luke 7:1-50
In this seventh chapter of Luke we find three different accounts of faith: the faith of a Roman soldier, the faith of John the Baptist, and the faith of "a woman...who was a sinner."
The Roman centurion loved the nation of Israel, and built a synagogue for the Jews in Capernaum. He had a servant, who was dear to him, and near to death. The Jewish people saw him as a good man, deserving of Jesus' help. However, the soldier considered himself unworthy to come to the Lord, and also unworthy to have Him enter his house. Because of his sense of unworthiness he sent others to Christ with a request: "Say the word, and my servant will be healed."
Jesus marveled and said to those who followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel."
At that time John the Baptist was in prison. He sent two of his disciples to Jesus. When they came to Christ, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, 'Are you the Coming One, or do we look for another?'"
John had baptized Jesus. He had believed that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God. But now in a dark, difficult place, he had some doubts. Prisons can greatly influence the thoughts of those incarcerated.
The Lord performed miracles before John's disciples, after which He said, "Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them." And He added, "And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me." John needed a word from Jesus. He got it.
Jesus also had something to say about John. He said that John was "more than a prophet." He knew that even men of great faith can entertain some doubts in trying circumstances.
Finally, the third person of faith was a sinful woman, probably a prostitute. Jesus was a dinner guest at the house of a Pharisee. The woman "brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil."
The Pharisee began to question that Jesus was a prophet. The Lord spoke to him, comparing what she did with what he didn't do. He concluded, "Her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little." The story ends with Christ saying to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace."
In Galatians 5:6 we learn that faith works by love. The more we love Him, the more we trust Him. Those who have a great love for God also have a great faith in Him.
Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us these examples of faith in Your Word. You understand us, and care for us. Help us to understand You and Your ways that we might love you and trust you more and more. In Jesus' name. Amen!
