Read Luke 7:36-50

A SINFUL WOMAN ANOINTS JESUS’ FEET
Although the woman was not an invited guest, she entered the house anyway and knelt behind Jesus at His feet. In Jesus’ day, it was customary to recline while eating. Dinner guest would lie on mats, or pads, or small couches with their heads near the table, propping themselves up on their elbows and stretching their feet out behind them. The woman could easily anoint the feet of Jesus without approaching the table.
Overflowing love is the natural response to forgiveness and the appropriate consequence of faith. But only those who realize the depth of their sin can appreciate the complete consequence of faith. But only those who realize the depth of their sin can appreciate the complete forgiveness God offers them. Jesus has rescued all of His followers, whether they were once extremely wicked or conventionally good, from eternal death. Do you appreciate the wideness of God’s mercy? Are you grateful for His forgiveness?
Simon committed several social errors in neglecting to wash Jesus’ feet, anoint His head with oil, and offer Him the kiss of greeting. Did Simon perhaps feel that he was too good to treat Jesus as an equal? The sinful woman, on the other hand, lavished tears, expensive perfume, and kisses on her Savior. It is her sins that were forgiven, not the stingy religious leader. Although it is God’s grace through faith that saves us, and not acts of love or generosity, this woman’s act demonstrated her true faith, and Jesus honored her faith.

Read Luke 7:18-35

JESUS EASES JOHN’S DOUBT
John was confused because the reports he received about Jesus were unexpected and incomplete. John’s doubts were natural, and Jesus didn’t rebuke him for them. Instead, Jesus responded in a way that John would understand. Jesus explained that He had accomplished what the Messiah was supposed to accomplish. God can handle our doubts, and He welcomes your questions. Do you have questions for Jesus – about who He is and what He expects of you? Admit them to yourself and to God, and begin looking for answers. Only as you face your doubts honestly can you begin to resolve them.
The proofs for Jesus being the Messiah are significant. The consist of observable deeds, not theories – actions that Jesus’ contemporaries saw and reported for us to read today. The prophets said the Messiah would do these very acts. These physical proofs helped John, and will help all of us, to recognize who Jesus is.
Of all people, no one filled his God-given purpose better than John. Yet in God’s kingdom, all who come after John have a greater spiritual heritage because they have clearer knowledge of the purpose of Jesus’ death and resurrection. John was the last to function like the Old Testament prophets, the last to prepare the people for the coming Messiah. Jesus was not contrasting the man John with individual Christians; He was contrasting life before Christ with life in the fullness of God’s kingdom.
The tax collectors and common people heard John’s message and repented. In contrast, the Pharisees and experts in the law, rejected John’s words. Wanting to live their own way, they justified their own point of view and refused to listen to other ideas. Rather than trying to force your plans on God, try to discover God’s plans for you.
The religious leaders hated anyone who spoke the truth and exposed their own hypocrisy, and they did not bother to be consistent in their fault finding. They criticized John the Baptist because he fasted and drank no wine; they criticized Jesus because He ate heartily and drank wine with tax collectors and sinners. Their real objection to both men had nothing to do with dietary habits. What the Pharisees couldn’t stand was being exposed for their hypocrisy.
Most of us can find compelling reasons to do or believe whatever suits our purposes. If you do not examine your ideas in the light of God’s truth, you maybe just as obviously self-serving as the Pharisees. To follow Jesus, is to follow His wisdom and live a changed life.

Read Luke 7:11-17

JESUS RAISES A WIDOW’S SON FROM THE DEAD
Honoring the dead was important in Jewish tradition. A funeral procession, with relatives of the dead person following the body that was wrapped and carried on a kind of stretcher, would make its way through town, and bystanders would be expected to join the procession. In addition, hired mourners would cry aloud and draw attention to the procession. The family’s mourning would continue for 30 days.
This widow’s situation was serious. She had lost her husband, and now her only son was dead – her last means of support. The crowd of mourners would go home, and she would be left penniless and alone. The widow was probably past the age of child bearing and would not marry again. Unless a relative came to her aid, her future was bleak. She would be an easy prey for swindlers, and she would likely be reduced to begging for food. In fact, this woman was just the kind of person Jesus had come to help – and help her He did. Jesus has the power to bring hope out of any tragedy.
The people thought of Jesus as a prophet because, like the Old Testament prophets, He boldly proclaimed God’s message and sometimes raised the dead. The people were correct in thinking Jesus was a prophet, but He was much more – He was God, Himself.
This story illustrates salvation. The whole world was dead in sin, just as the widow’s son was dead. Being dead, we could do nothing to help ourselves – we couldn’t even ask for help. But God had compassion on us, and He sent Jesus to raise us to life with Him. The dead man did not earn his second chance at life, and we cannot earn our new life in Christ. But we can accept God’s gift of life, praise God for it, and use our life to do His will.

Read Luke 7:1-10

A ROMAN OFFICER DEMONSTRATES FAITH
This Roman officer was a captain in charge of 100 men. This man came to Jesus, not as a last resort or magic charm, but because he believed Jesus was sent from God. Apparently, the officer recognized that the Jews were God’s special people. It is recorded that he loved the Jews and built a synagogue. Thus, in his time of need, it was natural for Him to turn to Jesus.
Why did the officer send Jewish leaders to Jesus instead of going himself? Since he was well aware of the Jewish hatred of Roman soldiers, he may not have wanted to interrupt a Jewish gathering. As an army officer, he daily delegated work and sent groups on missions, so this is how he chose to get the message to Jesus.
The Roman officer didn’t come to Jesus, and he didn’t expect Jesus to come to him. Just as the officer did not need to be present to have his orders carried out, so Jesus did not need to be present to heal. The officer’s faith was especially amazing, because he was a gentile who had not been brought up to know a loving God.

Read Luke 6:46-49

BUILDING ON A SOLID FOUNDATION
Why would people build a house without a foundation? Perhaps to save time and avoid the hard work of preparing a stone foundation. Possibly because the water front scenery is more attractive or because beach houses have higher social status than cliff houses. Perhaps because they want to join their friends who have already settled in sandy areas. Maybe because they haven’t heard about the violent storms coming, or because they have discounted the reports, or for some reason they think disaster can’t happen to them. Whatever the reason, those with no foundation are shortsighted, and they will be sorry. When you find yourself listening but not obeying, what are your reasons?
Obeying God is like building a house on a strong, solid foundation that stands firm when storms come. When life is calm, our foundations don’t seem to matter. But when crisis comes, our foundations are tested. Be sure your life is built on the solid foundation of knowing and trusting Jesus Christ.