Luke 7:1-50
The Faith of a Roman Centurion
1 When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. 2 There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. 3 The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” 6 So Jesus went with them.
He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” 10 Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.
Jesus Raises a Widow’s Son
11 Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. 12 As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.”
14 Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” 15 The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.
16 They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.” 17 This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.
Jesus and John the Baptist
18 John’s disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, 19 he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
20 When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’”
21 At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. 22 So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy[a] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 23 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”
24 After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 25 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. 26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27 This is the one about whom it is written:
“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’
28 I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
29 (All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John. 30 But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)
31 Jesus went on to say, “To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other:
“‘We played the pipe for you,
and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge,
and you did not cry.’
33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ 34 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ 35 But wisdom is proved right by all her children.”
Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman
36 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”
40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”
“Tell me, teacher,” he said.
41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,[c] and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”
43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”
“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.
44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”
48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
49 The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”
50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
God's Word is indeed a lamp unto our feet, and His kindness truly guides us through our journey in life...What a sad life it would be without God's Kindness and the kindness of others...This profound truth illuminates the path of the believer, revealing a God whose very essence is benevolent and whose desire is to lead us with tender care...Jesus, the Living Word, perfectly embodied this Divine Attribute, teaching kindness not merely as an occasional act, but as a transformative lifestyle—a core aspect of the Christian walk...He emphasized it as a direct reflection of God's Own Character and a tangible way to love others as He LOVES us...This involves showing compassion, forgiveness, and unconditional love to all, extending even to our enemies, and consistently prioritizing the needs of others above our own...
The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, reinforces this Truth by listing kindness as one of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), alongside love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control...This highlights that kindness is not simply a human virtue we strive to achieve through willpower, but a Divine Attribute cultivated within believers through the empowering work of the Holy Spirit...It is a supernatural outflow of God's Presence within us...Furthermore, in Ephesians 4:32, believers are encouraged to "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."...This powerful verse shows that kindness is a direct imitation of God's Own Character and actions, mirroring the boundless kindness He extended to us through Christ's sacrifice...
This Divine Kindness, as exemplified by Jesus, knows no bounds and extends to all, including those who might be considered our adversaries...Jesus Himself emphasized loving enemies, doing good to those who hate you, and praying for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44, Luke 6:27)...What profound and radical kindness He showed in His teachings!...This demonstrates that kindness is not limited to those who are kind to us or those we naturally favor, but is a universal embrace of humanity...It is an active expression of love, moving beyond mere sentiment to tangible acts of compassion, healing, and service to those in need...Jesus didn't just talk about kindness; He lived it out, making it a continual practice rather than a random act or a fleeting emotion...The Bible encourages believers to make kindness a conscious effort in every situation and toward everyone, transforming it into a consistent lifestyle...
God's Kindness is abundantly evident in His LOVE, forgiveness, and provision for humanity, even when utterly undeserved...In response to this immeasurable gift, believers are called to extend that same kindness to others, recognizing that it is a Divine Gift flowing through them...This kindness, particularly when unexpected or undeserved, possesses a transformative power...Romans 2:4 states that "God's Kindness is intended to lead you to repentance."...This highlights that acts of genuine kindness can soften hardened hearts, break down barriers, and open people up to God's boundless LOVE and the Truth of the Gospel...
Beyond Jesus's direct teachings and Paul's theological insights, the Book of Proverbs is indeed "loaded with lessons on kindness," offering practical wisdom on its application and benefits...Proverbs frequently extols the virtues of generosity and compassion, which are direct manifestations of kindness...For instance, Proverbs 11:17 declares, "The merciful man does himself good, but the cruel man brings trouble on himself."...This proverb teaches that kindness is not only beneficial to the recipient but also brings positive returns to the one who practices it, highlighting a principle of Divine Reciprocity...Similarly, Proverbs 19:17 states, "Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and He will reward them for what they have done."...This verse elevates acts of kindness to the vulnerable into an act of worship and partnership with God, assuring a Divine Reward...Proverbs 21:21 further emphasizes the profound connection between kindness and a flourishing life: "Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor."...Here, kindness is presented not as an optional extra, but as an integral component of a truly righteous and honorable existence...
Proverbs also speaks to the power of a kind demeanor and gentle words...Kindness is a gentile characteristic, and when I think of kindness of think of one and those being gentile...Proverbs 15:1 offers timeless advice: "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."...This speaks directly to the practical application of kindness in de-escalating conflict and fostering peace..Proverbs 16:24 beautifully describes the impact of kind communication: "Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones."...This illustrates how words infused with kindness can bring comfort, encouragement, and even restoration to those who hear them...The lasting impact of kindness is also a recurring theme, as seen in Proverbs 3:3: "Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart."...This suggests that kindness, rooted in love, gentleness, and faithfulness, should be an enduring characteristic, deeply ingrained in one's very being...
Examples of Jesus's kindness abound throughout the Gospels, serving as the ultimate blueprint for believers...He healed the sick (Matthew 4:23), fed the hungry multitudes (Matthew 14:13-21), comforted the grieving (John 11:32-35), and most profoundly, forgave sinners (Luke 7:47-48)...These actions demonstrate the depth and breadth of Jesus's Kindness and serve as living examples for believers to follow...When a blind beggar like Bartimaeus asked for His help, Jesus did not call him names or turn him away; instead, He stopped, listened, and compassionately asked, "What do you want me to do for you?" (Mark 10:51)...This simple act of respectful engagement, followed by miraculous healing, encapsulates the essence of Jesus's Kindness: seeing the individual, acknowledging their need, and responding with transformative love...
Beyond these general examples, Jesus's Divine Kindness extended specifically to non-Israelites and those marginalized by society, further underscoring the universal nature of His LOVE...A prime example is the Healing of the Centurion's Servant (Luke 7:1-10)...Here, Jesus responds to a Roman centurion's plea with remarkable kindness and humility, healing his servant from a distance and commending the centurion's extraordinary faith...This powerful act demonstrates kindness extended across social, ethnic, and religious barriers, showing Jesus's compassion for all people...Another deeply moving display of unsolicited compassion is the Raising of the Widow's Son at Nain (Luke 7:11-17)...Jesus sees a grieving widow, and "His heart went out to her," leading Him to raise her only son from the dead, alleviating her profound sorrow...It's a direct act of Divine Kindness born of empathy for the vulnerable...Following this, Jesus also demonstrated profound kindness and reassurance to John the Baptist (Luke 7:18-23)...When John, imprisoned and perhaps struggling with doubt, sent his disciples to ask if Jesus was truly the Messiah, Jesus did not rebuke him...Instead, He kindly pointed to the evidence of His compassionate ministry—the blind seeing, the lame walking, the poor hearing good news—affirming His identity through acts of mercy and restoring John's confidence in His mission...Similarly, The Woman Who Anointed Jesus's Feet (Luke 7:36-50) illustrates Jesus's radical kindness and forgiveness...He defends this woman, identified as a sinner, from the judgmental Pharisees, accepts her act of devotion, and pronounces her sins forgiven, highlighting His boundless compassion for the marginalized and repentant...These specific instances from Luke's Gospel powerfully illustrate the depth and breadth of Jesus's inclusive and transformative kindness...
In every facet of His life and ministry, Jesus demonstrated that kindness is not merely a virtue but a Divine Attribute that flows from the very heart of God...We are called to mirror God's character, to allow the Holy Spirit to cultivate this fruit within us, and to extend compassion, forgiveness, and active love to everyone, regardless of their response...As we strive to walk in His footsteps, embracing kindness as a lifestyle, we not only reflect the light of God's LOVE to a world in need but also participate in His Divine Work of drawing hearts to repentance and eternal life...And our Father and Jesus giving us Eternal Life, maybe the Greatest Act of Kindness one could ever recieve...