Pam Padgett ... teacher
In Luke 7 we are told of a centurion, a man having authority over 100 men and having a reputation for loving the Jews, and a
woman known to be a sinner. Though their ways of life had been very different, when Jesus came they both had faith in Him, and they dealt with humble
honor, reverence, and love toward Him. Jesus had compassion on both
the centurion and the woman, providing the help they needed.
The centurion's servant was at the point of death, and he wanted Jesus to heal
his servant. Although the centurion loved the Jews, even having built a
synagogue, he didn't consider himself worthy to come to Jesus nor for Jesus to enter his house. But he believed in
the power and authority of Jesus, knowing that Jesus needed only to
speak for the servant to be healed.
Luke 7:2 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. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly,
saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this: 5 For he loveth
our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. 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. 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.
Jesus marveled at the great faith the centurion had, and He healed his servant.
Luke 7:9 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.
When Jesus went to eat at the house of a Pharisee, a woman known to be a
sinner washed Jesus' feet with her tears, kissed His feet, and anointed
His feet with ointment.
Luke 7:36 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.
When the Pharisee condemned the woman in his heart and judged that Jesus
must not be a prophet because He allowed this woman to touch Him, Jesus
told a parable which pointed out the love this woman was showing toward
Jesus by her actions. She showed much love and honor toward Jesus,
unlike what the Pharisee had done ...
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. 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. 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.
Jesus forgave her many sins, saying ...
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. 48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. 49 And
they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is
this that forgiveth sins also? 50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith
hath saved thee; go in peace.
What we're told in Psalm 10 stood out to me as I thought on these things ...
Psalm 10:17 LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear: