Chapter 7
Chapter Outline
The centurion's servant healed. (1–10)
The widow's son raised. (11–18)
John the Baptist's inquiry concerning Jesus. (19–35)
Christ anointed in the house of the Pharisee, (36–50)
The parable of the two debtors.Verses 1–10
Servants should study to endear themselves to their masters. Masters ought to take particular
care of their servants when they are sick. We may still, by faithful and fervent prayer, apply to
Christ, and ought to do so when sickness is in our families. The building places for religious worship
is a good work, and an instance of love to God and his people. Our Lord Jesus was pleased with
the centurion's faith; and he never fails to answer the expectations of that faith which honours his
power and love. The cure soon wrought and perfect.
Verses 11–18
When the Lord saw the poor widow following her son to the grave, he had compassion on her.
See Christ's power over death itself. The gospel call to all people, to young people particularly, is,
Arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light and life. When Christ put life into him, it
appeared by the youth's sitting up. Have we grace from Christ? Let us show it. He began to speak:
whenever Christ gives us spiritual life, he opens the lips in prayer and praise. When dead souls are
raised to spiritual life, by Divine power going with the gospel, we must glorify God, and look upon
it as a gracious visit to his people. Let us seek for such an interest in our compassionate Saviour,
that we may look forward with joy to the time when the Redeemer's voice shall call forth all that
are in their graves. May we be called to the resurrection of life, not to that of damnation.
Verses 19–35
To his miracles in the kingdom of nature, Christ adds this in the kingdom of grace, To the poor
the gospel is preached. It clearly pointed out the spiritual nature of Christ's kingdom, that the
messenger he sent before him to prepare his way, did it by preaching repentance and reformation
of heart and life. We have here the just blame of those who were not wrought upon by the ministry
of John Baptist or of Jesus Christ himself. They made a jest of the methods God took to do them
good. This is the ruin of multitudes; they are not serious in the concerns of their souls. Let us study
to prove ourselves children of Wisdom, by attending the instructions of God's word, and adoring
those mysteries and glad tidings which infidels and Pharisees deride and blaspheme.