“Whoever Believes…” p. 79
Sometimes the best way to gain an understanding of something is to see it on display. A picture truly can be worth more than a thousand words…
When it comes to faith, Scripture has so many wonderful examples. For our purposes, we just want to draw our attention to a few settings where Jesus took notice of a true faith (by His definition) in people around Him. We observe how He ascertained and identified faith – and how He felt about those who were setting their faith on Him (as the King’s Representative of His Kingdom). These are lessons to teach us the true nature of faith – the kind of faith that readily pleases God (Hebrews 11:6)…
The Centurion
We begin with a moment when Jesus was actually amazed (and expressed His amazement) at the faith He saw at work in a person who wasn’t even one of God’s people.
We find the account in Matthew’s Gospel (8:5-10; also, Lk. 7:1-10) of a Roman Centurion, whose cherished servant was deathly ill, without much hope for recovery. The Centurion turned to the One he had heard so much about – to the One Who had done so many wonders already for needy people. The Centurion sought out Jesus, pleaded for His help, and Jesus agreed to come with him to heal his servant.
Here is where the point of faith in the story becomes magnified. We read of the Centurion’s response to the fact that Jesus would grant his request: “Lord, I am not worthy to have You come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed…” (8:8) Listen to what the Centurion was saying… “Lord, I don’t need to have you come and physically heal my servant – your authoritative word is enough.” This is where Jesus shows (and expresses) His amazement: “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.” (8:10) In the end, Jesus stayed where He was… and the Centurion’s servant was healed, just as he anticipated, because of his “great faith.”
We learn that great faith IS great faith because it is based on truths that come from a reality that exists beyond what our physical senses can (or even need to) verify. This “other realm” is what Jesus came to show us – and to represent – and, when faith is solidly placed in the authority of the King of that Kingdom, we discover the reality that this King is not limited by space or time or any other physical obstacle. True faith trusts, and rests, in the reality of the King, His Kingdom, and how that King (and His Kingdom) functions.
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