So Great Faith

Today’s Verse:

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. ~Luke 7:9

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Do you have great faith? I think most, if not all of us, sadly, are lacking in great faith. Great faith is exercised when we are under extreme circumstances. Extreme circumstances are when things are bigger than us, beyond our control, and humanly impossible. A Roman centurion had a servant who was precious to him that had been so sick that he was ready to die. All possible means of getting him well and keeping him alive had been exhausted. The centurion and his servant needed a miracle. The centurion, who was a man of power, means, and influence, faced an extreme circumstance. Let us see how this man is a powerful example of great faith.

We see the hearing.

“And when he heard of Jesus....” The centurion heard about the miraculous works of Jesus throughout Galilee. Each report that he heard was consistent, was truthful, and testified of God’s working among the Jews. The starting point for faith is hearing. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Jesus is the living Word. The miracle of water turned to wine, the lame and diseased being healed, and His public teaching ministry turning the hearts of people to God reached the ears and heart of the centurion. Faith was stirred in his heart that Jesus could help his servant. He wanted Jesus’ help.

We see the heartbeat.

“He sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant.” All possible resources to help the servant had been exhausted. He could die at any moment. The centurion loved this servant dearly and wanted him well. He sent the elders to intercede with Jesus on his behalf. First, what we are most passionate about accomplishing requires faith and prayer. What we pray most earnestly for reflects our heartbeat. Like this centurion, our heartbeat should be for the souls of men. Second, faith works in numbers. He engaged other men of influence to intercede on his servant’s behalf. The elders shared the centurion’s heartbeat for the servant and went to Jesus with the goal of getting Jesus to heal him.

We see the humility.

“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.” The word worthy is used three times in verses 4, 6, and 7. The elders told Jesus that the centurion was worthy for whom He should do a miracle. The centurion sent friends to Jesus and confessed twice that he was not worthy for Jesus to come to his house or that he himself could face Him for help. Peter says, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.” In his humility, he confessed his inferiority to the holiness of our Lord. It is like Isaiah confessing that he was a man undone with unclean lips. In his humility, the centurion confessed inadequacy. He felt so sinful that he could not approach Jesus. In his humility, he acknowledged that Jesus was so powerful that He could just speak the word and the servant could be healed. Humility believes that God is and that we are helpless without Him.

We see the honorable.

Jesus marveled at the centurion’s faith. First, Jesus cured the servant of his terminal illness. The friends of the centurion returned and found him whole. Second, Jesus commended the centurion. He said, “I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.” So great faith! His faith is an inspiration for you and me: a faith that God is, and that He is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. May the Lord move us to have so great faith in our endeavors and prayers.

Have a “great faith” God Morning!

Bible Reading Schedule: Revelation 1-3

#Luke #Centurion #Faith