Today in God’s Word

Today in God's Word—July 2023

East Tallassee Church of Christ

July 31, Luke 7

Since faith plays such a vital role in a Christian’s life, I’m very interested in the faith of the centurion and the faith of the sinful woman, whose stories bookend this chapter. Jesus bragged on this Gentile soldier’s faith, saying he had not found such faith among the Israelites. What was it about the centurion’s faith that Jesus commended? The Lord said the sinful woman’s faith had saved her. Why?

The centurion’s faith was based on what he had heard about Jesus. That’s like you and me, and all who hear the gospel and believe the testimony about Jesus. He had a problem he couldn’t solve. His servant was dying. This Roman heard that Jesus had helped people in similar situations. In humility, he did not make a demand or even go in person to see Jesus, but sent emissaries to ask for Jesus’ help. The Jewish elders were commending this Gentile to Jesus when they said he was worthy, but the centurion himself sent word he was unworthy to have Jesus come into his house. He recognized the authority structure of Jesus’ life —Jesus had authority over sickness and demons like the centurion had over his soldiers. Yet he also recognized that Jesus was under some higher authority, as he was to his superior officer. Jesus marveled at the man’s faith and healed his servant without going to the house where the servant was sick.

The sinful woman didn’t need Simon the Pharisee or anyone else to tell her about her problem. She knew she was a sinner who needed mercy from Jesus. Again, humility shines through, even in her bold actions. She came to Jesus with a flask full of ointment, eyes full of tears and a heart full of worship. Simon had been a rude host, neglecting to show common courtesy by providing water to wash dusty feet. But this woman, in deep humility, washed Jesus’ feet with her tears, wiping them with her hair, kissing and anointing his feet with the ointment. She knew her debt was great, and the sense of pardon and hope she found at

Jesus’ feet released the floodgates of her worship.

Jesus explained the difference in the woman’s adoration and Simon’s discourtesy with a story about two forgiven debtors, noting that the one who got more forgiven would love the forgiver more. To the woman who’d heard plenty of condemnation, Jesus spoke forgiveness. Simon’s guests questioned who could say such a thing, but Jesus dismissed the woman in peace, assuring her she was loved and forgiven.

Sometimes Jesus’ compassion led him to do things, such as raising the widow’s son at Nain, without any request or comment about the faith of the people involved. But sometimes he said or did something specifically in response to someone’s faith. Whenever he compliments or comments on the faith of the people he’s blessing, I want to have a faith like theirs.

From The Abiding Companion: A Friendly Guide for Your Journey Through the New Testament, Copyright © 2010 by Michael B. McElroy. Used by permission. All rights reserved.