Luke 7

With the healing of the centurion's slave, Jesus confirmed the centurion's faith and recognition of His authority by healing without even having to see the slave.  While Jesus was willing to, the centurion in humility did not consider himself worthy to speak to Jesus directly nor to have Him come under His roof, that of a Gentile and Roman.  What a wonder that one is actually able to amaze Christ with our faith.

Then, when He raised from the dead the only son of a widow, He showed His deep compassion for this widow, who in so much grief during the funeral procession was not recorded as even having noticed Jesus nor asked for any help.  Yet, Jesus gave the son back to the deeply grieving woman.  What a reminder of His amazing power and His great love and compassion, His seeing our needs sometimes even before we turn to Him for help.

And His compassion is especially touching as we see how He encourages John the Baptist, who is in prison and in need of reassurance.    Jesus clearly demonstrated evidence through His Works that He is the Messiah, and He reminded John to stand firm, for "Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of [Him].”

Jesus then spoke to the crowd and affirmed John's ministry as a prophet who was not swayed by the wind and did not dress in expensive clothes or indulge in luxury.   He also showed that the Pharisees and Scribes rejected both John and Jesus, "but wisdom is proved right by all her children".  And when Jesus called John "great", it is a reminder that the Christ's definition of greatness is different from what the world considers great.

When He was invited to dine at the house of a Pharisee, he taught through a parable that the sinful woman who washed his feet, kissed them, and anointed Him with perfume recognized her need for forgiveness and loved Him more than the host did.  The chapter closed with an illustration that the woman was saved by her faith, received forgiveness of sins, and had peace with God.