Memorize: Healing the centurion’s servant
Key Verses: 4, 7, 8, 15, 19, 29, 35, 39, 47, One thing I would never expect to read in the Scriptures is for Jewish leaders to be begging Jesus for help. This Roman soldier heard about Jesus and needed help, help that could only come from God. I am sure he had tried all the usual ways of helping his servant, but nothing had worked. Here the non-Jew has faith in Jesus when the Jews don’t seem to believe. Jesus has the authority over all realms here on earth and He demonstrates that authority and the servant is healed. Then a dead son is raised to life.
Remember that John the Baptist was put in prison and did not directly witness much of Jesus ministry, so he wants to confirm Jesus’ identity. Jesus tells the messengers about the things He has done which reflect His character. His fruit is shining forth. Those that believed John’s message believed in Jesus. Those who didn’t wouldn’t.
This illustration of the children playing is wonderful. Some children are never satisfied with any activity. No matter what option is presented, they complain. So it was with these religious leaders. They didn’t like John’s message of austerity, nor Jesus’ message of abundance. They just would not be satisfied. But you can look at the fruit coming from people’s lives and tell what is important to them. Those who repented were living differently than the religious leaders. Their lives had changed. The fruit of wisdom was evident in their lives.
The woman weeping at Jesus feet had the fruit of repentance while the Pharisee did not. She recognized her need for forgiveness, but he didn’t. She received forgiveness, he didn’t. She trusted what Jesus said, he didn’t.
The Arnold Journey 