Reading for July 5-6 is Luke 7-8... My thoughts on this reading... As we move into Chapter 7, Luke shares an account of Jesus healing a Roman centurion's servant, as Matthew also includes it. It's remarkable for the faith of this Roman soldier, and also because Jesus never even goes to see the servant but he is healed. I don't know that we fully appreciate what this Roman centurion did, because we don't realize the risk he was taking, nor the level of certainty with which he came to Jesus and trusted that Jesus could provide the healing. The account of the widow's son is also remarkable, as it is the only occurrence of this account in any of the gospels. We also see Jesus touch the bier, which carried the body of the dead man and meant that He would have been ceremonially unclean in the eyes of the Jews, but again, Jesus actions reveal that He makes whole and clean again, as He raises this dead man to life. We also don't appreciate what a blessing to this widowed mother this resurrection was, because she would have been reduced to a life of begging, but not now! It's also interesting how the crowd responds, with fear as they glorified God. I think this is some of that holy reverent fear which it would be good for us all to have in regards to our Lord. Jesus then receives messengers from John the Baptist, checking on Jesus' mission, which John himself had expected to be much different than what had been revealed so far. While Jesus reassures John through the message he sends back to him through his followers, Jesus also points out to those who hear of this exchange that John played an important role in Jesus' ministry and that the religious leaders who had rejected John, were missing out on who Jesus truly was. We also hear of a woman who was clearly sinful in the eyes of all, coming and anointing Jesus' feet. As this is witnessed by the Pharisees as a shameful event, Jesus points out through a parable that one who was forgiven a great debt of sin, would be more joyful and thankful than one who feels they have done nothing wrong, which was the case with the Pharisees and this woman. In chapter 8, Luke shares about the women assisting Jesus in His ministry, one of the hallmarks of the Gospel of Luke is his acknowledgement of women in Jesus' ministry, which was certainly unusual in that day and age. This is followed up by the parable of the Sower, and the reason Jesus was using parables, along with its meaning. then we hear about His kingdom being revealed and not hidden away. We also hear that hearing and obeying His Word is what matters and determine who is true family is. As Jesus is with His disciples in a boat, they doubt their safety when a storm rises up and Jesus reassures them and encourages them to trust Him. After reading the other side of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus heads into Gentile area, and is confronted by a demon possessed man, heals him, and then requests him to stay behind and tell others what had happened and how God had worked in his life. Good advice for us too! As Jesus is asked to heal a synagogue ruler's daughter, another woman seeks a miraculous healing, simply by touching Jesus' robe. Once again, that which is unclean, is now cleansed and Jesus remains holy and not in need of being restored. We also see that Jesus has great compassion on a woman who had suffered greatly. By this time, Jairus' daughter is dead, but Jesus encourages him to have faith, and then raises the little girl from the dead. At the heart of what leads to Jesus' miracles is to have trust and faith in Him! It doesn't not mean that there isn't pain, or even loss at times, and we know that ultimately, it is until we get to heaven that all pain, suffering and tears disappear, but it is good to know that God can and does work through it all.