What Jesus Did! 'Examples from the Outside' — Luke 7:7, 9

Jesus loved to shock those who heard him into listening and sometimes did so by making outsiders the heroes of his stories and actions. Like the stories of the "Good Samaritan," ^[1] Zacchaeus, ^[2] the widow of Zarephath, ^[3] and Naaman the Syrian, ^[4] the Roman officer is the hero in these events. ^[5] Jesus wanted the people to see the importance of faith that trusts in his authority to act redemptively and bring salvation. For those of us who have been Christians awhile, new Christians - especially those who have come from outside our social circle and our range of experience - have much to teach us about the joy of salvation. The freshness of their faith, the new-found joy of knowing Jesus, and overcoming the challenges they face in living for Jesus can renew our faith and expand our joy as we try to encourage them in their walk with the Lord. Rather than trying to find problems in their new walk with Jesus, let's look for ways they are positive examples for other believers.