Jesus performs 2 miracles today. First He heals a centurion’s servant after the centurion says, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.” Jesus responds, “I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel.” Wow! This Gentile Roman officer has so much faith that it makes Jesus marvel! Jesus is going to marvel again in a few days but it will be at the lack of faith of the people in His own hometown, Nazareth. It’s just another reminder that faith is what pleases God (Hebrews 11:6).
Next Jesus shows compassion for a widow who is burying her son. Jesus touches the coffin of the young man and brings him back to life, resulting in the people glorifying God.
Now John the Baptist, still in prison, starts to wonder if this is really the Christ so he sends his disciples to inquire of Jesus. Jesus responds, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.” All these things were prophesied through the prophet Isaiah which gives John the Baptist assurance that Jesus is the Son of God sent for our salvation.
Jesus says about John the Baptist, “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist.” But the people miss it with John the Baptist who is currently sitting in prison, just like they are missing it with Jesus Christ. ”For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’” The people find fault in both and do not have faith that they were sent by the Lord; one as the messenger and the other as the Messiah. So Jesus gives a warning to the unbelievers. “But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.” But he also gives an invitation to all. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” 🙌
We end the reading with a sinful woman washing Jesus’s feet with her tears and her hair and anointing them in oil. A religious Pharisee, Simon, believes if Jesus was truly a prophet, He would not let a sinful woman touch Him. Jesus rebukes the Pharisee and says this sinful woman did more for Him than the Pharisee. See, the well established Simon did not give Jesus water for His feet or kiss Him or anoint Him in oil. However, this desperate sinful woman hit her knees at the feet of Jesus. “Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” Then Jesus turns to the woman and says, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” 💜
Keep reading.
(Matthew 8:5-13, Luke 7:1-17, Matthew 11:1-19, Luke 7:18-35, Matthew 11:20-30, Luke 7:36-50)
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Chronological Bible in Layman's Terms 