Luke
Chapter 7
Heals a Centurion’s Servant
The elders came to Jesus and begged him earnestly, saying:
“He deserves this from you, for he loves our people and even built a synagogue for us.”
Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the Roman officer sent friends to deliver this message:
“Sir, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you under my roof.
For I myself, a soldier under authority, give orders to those under me, and I say to one, ‘Go!’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.
Upon hearing these words, Jesus was filled with admiration. He turned to the people with him and said:
“I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith.”
The people sent by the captain headed back to his house; there, they found that the servant was well.
When she saw him, the Lord took pity on her and said:
“Stop crying.”
Then he approached, touched the stretcher, and the men carrying it stopped.
Jesus then said:
“Young man, I say to you, wake up!”
A holy awe came over everyone, and they praised God, saying:
This news spread throughout Judea and the surrounding regions.
and sent them to the Lord with this message:
“Are you the one we are expecting, or should we wait for another?”
These men came to Jesus and said:
“John the Baptist sent us to ask you: Are you the one we are to expect, or should we wait for another?”
At that time, Jesus healed many people of their illnesses and diseases; he freed them from evil spirits and gave sight to the blind.
Then he answered the messengers:
“Go back and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind see again, the lame walk, lepers are made clean, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the poor are given good news. Now, listen:
Fortunate are those who meet me and are not offended by me.”
When John’s messengers had left, Jesus began speaking to the people about John. And he said:
“What did you want to see when you went to the desert? A reed swaying in the wind?
What did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
For John is the one foretold in Scripture with these words:
I am sending my messenger ahead of you
to prepare your way.
No one may be found greater than John among those born of women; but I tell you, the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
whereas the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, by not allowing themselves to be baptized by him, ignored the will of God.
Jesus said to the crowds:
“What comparison can I use for the people? What are they like?
They are like children sitting in the marketplace about whom their companions complain:
‘We piped you a tune
and you wouldn’t dance;
we sang funeral songs
and you wouldn’t cry.’
Next, came the Son of Man, eating and drinking; and you say, ‘Look, a glutton for food and wine, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’
But the children of Wisdom always recognize her work.”
The Pharisee who had invited Jesus was watching and thought, “If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of person is touching him; isn’t this woman a sinner?”
Then Jesus spoke to the Pharisee and said:
“Simon, I have something to ask you.”
He answered:
“Speak, master.”
And Jesus said:
Because they could not pay him back, he graciously canceled the debts of both. Now, which of them will love him more?”
Simon answered:
“The one, I suppose, who was forgiven more.”
And Jesus said:
“You are right.”
And turning toward the woman, he said to Simon:
This is why I tell you, her sins, her many sins, are forgiven, as her great love has shown. But the one who is forgiven little has little love.”
Then Jesus said to the woman:
“Your sins are forgiven.”
The others reclining with him at the table started to wonder:
“Now this man claims to forgive sins!”
But Jesus again spoke to the woman:
“Your faith has saved you; go in peace!”