Reflections: 12-14-2007

All Scripture citations are taken from New Living Translation, Second Edition (NLT).

 
 

Bible Reading Reflections:

 

• Psalms 64
  

   
   

  • O God, listen to my complaint. Protect my life from my enemies' threats. (v. 1)
    

     
     

  • The godly will rejoice in the LORD and find shelter in him. And those who do what is right will praise him. (v. 10)
    

 
 

• Luke 7
  

  Highlighted in this chapter, we were shown the extreme faith of a Roman officer that Jesus will heal this highly valued slave. Jesus was also shown to raise the son of a grieving widow. Conversations happened between Jesus and John the Baptist's disciples were also recorded. The most amazing story for me that this chapter has shown is the remarkable repentance of a sinful woman giving it all for Jesus as He visited the house of a Pharisee.
  

   
   

  • But just before they arrived at the house, the officer sent some friends to say, "Lord, don't trouble yourself by coming to my home, for I am not worthy of such an honour. I am not even worthy to come and meet you. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers…" When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to the crowd that was following him, he said, "I tell you, I haven't seen faith like this in all Israel!" And when the officer's friends returned to his house, they found the slave completely healed. (vv. 6b-8a, 9-10)
    
    • This is an example of great faith that Jesus was amazed and that heals. The Roman officer knew that Jesus can heal his servant because, as someone who is used to receive and give orders, Jesus had authority over afflictions that a mere command from Him diseases will heal. The officer is not even Jewish so he has no reason to believe nor be involved in anything Jewish, but having heard that Jesus can heal he chose to believe anyway. Seeing also that he is not worthy to compare himself with Jesus, his extraordinary belief in Christ moved Jesus to heal his servant.
      

       
       

  • When a certain immoral woman from that city heard he was eating there [at the house of a Pharisee], she brought a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume. Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them… [Jesus said,] "I tell you, her sins -- and they are many -- have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love." Then Jesus said to the woman, "Your sins are forgiven… Your faith has saved you; go in peace." (vv. 37-38, 47-48, 50)
    
    • This is an example of repentance with great faith that forgives and saves. The immoral woman saw her need to be forgiven for her sins. Having brought an alabaster jar which was expensive by itself then filled it with expensive perfume, she gave all that she had along with her weeping silently so as trying not to disturb anyone in that prominent house. She used her tears in washing Jesus' feet kissing it so as to give honour to Him despite her at risk of being subjected to disgust and being labelled as unclean. She did this all knowing that in deep sorrow and repentance, Jesus will found her worthy to be forgiven. And thank God, Jesus did. Her faith in Jesus Christ saved her, and I believe she had found her peace.