Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Faith
that gets Jesus’ attention
In this story we see the amazing power of Jesus put on display. But we also see amazing faith placed in Jesus by a Centurion. A Centurion was a military leader in charge of a hundred men. They were battle tested and very respected in the Roman military. Its one thing to say Jesus has power; it’s another to really believe it. First, this is an interesting story because a Gentile comes to Jesus, a Jew. A respected leader comes to Jesus for leadership. Everyone, no matter who they are or how much they have, needs the power of Christ in their life.
Second, this story is interesting because Jesus comments about this Centurion’s faith. Jesus said he hasn’t found faith like this in Israel. In other words, this was the kind of faith Jesus was looking for in his fellow countrymen but had not found it. Jesus was astonished at this Gentile’s faith in him. What kind of faith did the Centurion express in Jesus?
Matthew
5: 5-13
5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him,
asking for help. 6 “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home
paralyzed and in terrible suffering.” 7 Jesus said to him, “I will go and heal him.” 8 The centurion
replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say
the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man
under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes;
and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does
it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those
following him, “I tell you the truth, I have not found
anyone in Israel with such great faith. 11 I say to you that many
will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast
with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the
subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there
will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 Then Jesus said to
the centurion, “Go! It will be done just as you
believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that very hour.
In this story we see the amazing power of Jesus put on display. But we also see amazing faith placed in Jesus by a Centurion. A Centurion was a military leader in charge of a hundred men. They were battle tested and very respected in the Roman military. Its one thing to say Jesus has power; it’s another to really believe it. First, this is an interesting story because a Gentile comes to Jesus, a Jew. A respected leader comes to Jesus for leadership. Everyone, no matter who they are or how much they have, needs the power of Christ in their life.
Second, this story is interesting because Jesus comments about this Centurion’s faith. Jesus said he hasn’t found faith like this in Israel. In other words, this was the kind of faith Jesus was looking for in his fellow countrymen but had not found it. Jesus was astonished at this Gentile’s faith in him. What kind of faith did the Centurion express in Jesus?
1)
He recognized Jesus as Lord. The Centurion believed that Jesus was Lord. This
was quite a statement by a man who could get fired for calling someone besides
Caesar, Lord.
2)
His faith was expressed by his humility before Jesus. He knew he was unworthy
for Jesus to come into his house. He knew that he wasn’t entitled to Jesus
expressing favor toward him. He knew that Jesus was the authority and could
just speak the word and his servant would be healed. What a powerful expression
of faith in Jesus through humility. This Centurion was an example of 1 Peter
5:5-7, “God opposes the proud but gives
grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, the
he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares
for you.”
3)
Its faith in Christ that brings us into God’s presence forever. It’s not what
religion you belong to (subjects of the kingdom –v.12) or what family you’re
born into, it’s faith in Christ. Jesus took the opportunity to express that
clearly in this story.
Jesus
has power over everything and I want to express my faith in him as Lord. I
desire to walk humbly before him. He’s in charge. He’s the leader. He’s the authority. And as we express our
faith in Jesus we can be sure of living in his presence forever! Will Christ be amazed at our faith today?
Comments:
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Every knee shall bow and everyone will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord! Jew, Gentile, Rich, Poor, Left or Right.
Amen!
Amen!
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