Matthew 8:10


When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith” ~ Matthew 8:10

Faith is best described by Paul in Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” We simply just believe! If that was so, why did Jesus say he had not found anyone in Israel with such faith as this Roman centurion? Certainly, the centurion was an “outsider”. He was not an Israelite person. In fact, he was a Gentile, and he was shunned by the Jewish people because of that. Why did the Jews not have such a faith that they are commended? Jesus though, sees not as we see, but he sees beyond the exterior of the man. He sees his heart. And what he sees before Him is someone who is humble in his belief of God, though he was not an Israelite man. Humility calls us to see ourselves in true light in comparison with God. He is the Creator, we are the created. He is infinite, we are finite. He is omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient. We are limited in our power, limited in our presence, and limited in our knowledge. It is in this attitude the centurion comes to Jesus asking for his servant’s healing. Faith grows in steps, and here we see faith characterized by humility, attentive to the truth of the majesty of God. The centurion was obedient as well. He heard plainly the word of Jesus telling him to return home. We have to be still and listen for the word of God to come to us, but when it does, we must obey it. Faith is stepping out into the impossible, believing God is leading us. It is to take that which is “unseen and make it seen” in our mind. The next point, for though we must be humble and obedient in and to truth, we must then understand the truth and make it ours. It is to claim it and to live it. This is faith! This is what Jesus honours. It is what Jesus commends. This is an encouragement for you whom are under disadvantages. As this centurion was rewarded for his faith, so will you be. When Jesus hears your faith declared, He will marvel, and say to them that follow Him, “I have found great faith in (insert your name). Go, your request is done…”
Devotion by Pastor Julia

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