One-Year Bible Reading Plan  : Seekers & New Believers| January 28 | Luke Chapter 7: The Centurion's Faith, Raising the Widow's Son, and Anointing by a Sinful Woman 

🌸 Opening Today’s Reading 

Dear Brothers, Sisters, and Friends, Peace in the Lord!

Welcome to Day 28 of our Bible reading journey! Today is January 28th, and we are so glad to continue walking together.

Yesterday in Luke Chapter 6, we heard the revolutionary Sermon on the Plain and were challenged to build our lives upon the solid Rock. Today, we follow Jesus into Capernaum and Nain, before entering a Pharisee's home to witness three astonishing encounters of authority, compassion, and forgiveness.

Here we find faith that marveled the Master Himself, tears of a hopeless widow met by resurrection power, and a controversial woman whose extravagant love broke through self-righteous pride.

Let us enter today's reading with expectant and receptive hearts!

📖 Context Snapshot: Remote Healing Faith, Resurrection at Nain's Gates, and Perfume at the Feast 

1. What Happened Before: From Kingdom Principles to Living Miracles

Yesterday in Chapter 6, Jesus instructed us to love our enemies and put His words into practice. In Chapter 7, His divine love and authority step into human suffering, bringing hope to a Gentile soldier, a grieving widow, and a broken sinner.

2. Today's Thread: A Stranger's Message, A Stopped Funeral, and Broken Alabaster

In Capernaum, a Roman centurion's beloved servant lay dying. As Jesus walked toward his house, the officer sent a message with words that left even Jesus amazed: "Lord, trouble not thyself... say in a word, and my servant shall be healed!"

Before the crowd could recover from this Gentile's remarkable faith, Jesus arrived at the gate of Nain, meeting a funeral procession. A desolate widow was weeping bitterly over her only son's bier. Filled with compassion, Jesus stepped forward, touched the coffin, and spoke to the dead young man...

That evening at a formal dinner hosted by Simon the Pharisee, a notorious woman slipped into the room! Weeping at Jesus' feet, her tears fell upon Him, and wiping them with her hair, she broke an alabaster flask of costly perfume to anoint His feet!

Simon muttered in disdain: "This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner."

Reading his thoughts, Jesus told a quiet story that turned the tables on the self-righteous host...

What did the Roman centurion say that drew such high praise from Jesus? What miracle took place at the gates of Nain? And why did Jesus commend the woman whom society condemned?

The answers await you in today's chapter. We invite you to open your Bible and discover the truth!

💡 Questions to keep in mind while reading today:

• On the Centurion's Faith: Why did a Roman officer's faith cause Jesus to marvel? How does this teach us to rely simply on His word?

• On Compassion at Nain: What does Jesus' spontaneous compassion toward the weeping widow reveal about God's heart toward our grief?

• On Loving Much: Jesus told Simon, "To whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little." How does this reshape our view of grace and self-righteousness?

💡 Today’s Scripture Verse  - Luke 7

7 Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum.

2 And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.

3 And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant.

4 And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:

5 For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.

6 Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:

7 Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.

8 For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

9 When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

10 And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.

11 And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people.

12 Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.

13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.

14 And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.

15 And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.

16 And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.

17 And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.

18 And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things.

19 And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?

20 When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?

21 And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.

22 Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.

23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

24 And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

25 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts.

26 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.

27 This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

28 For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

29 And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.

30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.

31 And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?

32 They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.

33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil.

34 The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!

35 But wisdom is justified of all her children.

36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat.

37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,

38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.

41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.

42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?

43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.

44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.

45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.

46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.

47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.

48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.

49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?

50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

🌟Daily Heart-Check: Trusting His Word Alone, Resting in His Compassion, and Pouring Out Love 

Synchronized with the core questions from our reading guide:

• Trust the Sovereign Power of His Word:
  The centurion knew that a single word from Jesus was enough. True faith does not depend on emotional feelings or physical signs, but rests fully on the authority of Christ's promises.

• Anchor Your Soul in His Deep Compassion:
  Jesus stopped the funeral march at Nain because He saw a mother's broken heart. In your darkest hours of grief or helplessness, know that the Savior sees your tears and brings hope where all seems lost.

• Respond to Great Forgiveness with Extravagant Love:
  Self-righteousness hardens the heart, but knowing how much we have been forgiven releases deep love and gratitude. Recognizing our own need for grace turns our lives into an offering of worship to Him.

🎵 Response Song : A Mustard Seed’s Faith 

🙏 Closing Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for showing us in Luke Chapter 7 the astonishing authority, tender compassion, and boundless forgiveness of Lord Jesus Christ.

Lord Jesus, thank You for honoring simple faith and stopping to comfort the brokenhearted. Give us faith that relies solely upon Your Word, and hearts that rest in Your deep mercy. Forgive us for any self-righteous pride, and remind us daily of the great grace we have received, so that our lives may overflow with love and praise to You.

Bless every moment of our day today, and let us walk in Your peace, love, and forgiveness.

In Jesus' name we pray, Amen!