There are many lovely stories in the Gospel but those in this chapter reveal Jesus, the Son of God in a very special light. Are they as challenging to us as they were the religious folk of the first century? These could be called 'Miracles of the Kingdom' because they give so much insight into the Kingdom of Heaven and God's universal compassion.

Vv 1-17 Healing a slave and raising a son.

A centurion at Capernaum showed extraordinary interest and generosity towards the Jews and their religion. Centurions were brave, reliable, steady men of integrity and this is revealed by those we meet in the New Testament. There appears to be an interesting difference between Matthew's and Luke's record - did he go to Jesus or did he send someone - or was it a bit of both? Either way he is an example of humility. To address Jesus as 'Lord' is interesting. He expressed astonishment at this man's faith (and the lack of it at Nazareth). This man had the power of Rome at his command and recognised that Jesus had unique authority and access to the power of the universe. This man had extraordinary faith (in Jesus) and extraordinary compassion for the slave (Gr.pais boy). Jesus and His followers met a funeral procession wending its way to the city gate, with at least one musical instrument and one professional mourner. A widow who is now childless and unable to support herself in old age (no social security). A little village of Nein still exists not far from Shunem where Elisha raised a 'son' back to life. 'Sat up' is a medical expression as Acts 8.40. It appears that no faith was required. Jesus was moved to the 'depths of his being' and the people were moved to use an OT expression ‑ 'God has visited His people'. Observe Jesus' attitude; earlier he spoke to a pagan gentile who Jews regarded as unclean - unfit to speak to or help. Next He touched the bier carrying the dead man, another action that made Him unholy by Jewish rules.

Vv 18-35 John the Baptist's question.

Whatever made John ask that question? He had witnessed the power of the Holy Spirit at Jesus baptism and the voice from Heaven. It was a question that trusted a fair answer otherwise he might just as well have not bothered to ask. Was it to help his own disciples discover what the Messiah was really like? Had the long imprisonment, caged like a bird in Machaerus castle, affected his judgment? Was he still waiting for the wrathful Judge or 'the Lamb of God'? Is John asking the question; 'who are you?' Jesus gives a lesson on answering questions. He advises us to 'observe the facts' when looking for 'signs of the times' and not to squeeze the facts into our selection of signs. OT prophecies give clues as to what Messiah would be like. (eg Isa.35. 5‑6; 61.1). Jesus warns not to reject Messiah because He doesn't fit a preconceived mould. He then goes on to demonstrate John's remarkable character. How did Jesus describe John's role in God's purpose and quality of his character? Can we contrast John with leaders in the 1^st and 21^st century. What might be Jesus' definition of 'great'? Why is the greatest born among women shut out of the kingdom of Heaven? What might John's place be in God's Kingdom? Other translators have followed Phillips in v 32 "We played at weddings for you but you wouldn't dance, and we played at funerals for you and you wouldn't cry." Do we find Jesus' broad view point of social options difficult to accept? Jewish religious leaders "looked for someone who would tell them they were right; they tried to prove wrong anyone that judged them". Is our wisdom judged by its children?

Vv 36-50 Table talk:

Jesus broke down the barriers of His time; would He have done so today; racial, national, gender, age, social and political. Should this not stimulate our compassion and intercession for the world's suffering? Does the story of a meal with Simon the Pharisee seem extraordinary to us? Jesus' friends might have been as surprised as Simon was. What were his motives in inviting the 'prophet of Nazareth'? Who is the intruder, how did she get in? Crying in public, immodest unbound hair; what was this woman of the streets thinking about breaking in on a private meal among 'respectable people'? They would be reclining with heads towards the table. Women commonly wore perfume in a little flask around the neck. Jesus understood her heart and his evaluation of her action is most touching. He also understood Simon and demonstrated the prophet's gifts by speaking aloud of Simon's silent conversation with himself. Do you feel sorry for him, suddenly finding his well meant private hospitality has become a public dispute in his own house? Worse, one of his guests gave him a lesson in how he should receive and entertain people. Jesus taught so much in this incident of true values of living and the danger of superficial thought. He told a fascinating parable but how can a person's love be measured by whether they are forgiven much or little? Do others' good deeds judge me? To be unconscious of our own need has been described as the greatest sin. Her action was 'he result of forgiveness not an effort to buy it.

Prayer:

'Open my eyes that I may look and understand others as Jesus did and so enlarge my heart'