Meditation
SUCH GREAT FAITH
Text: Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10
13 September 2020
ONLY TWO PEOPLE COMMENDED FOR THEIR FAITH
The Lord Jesus traversed the whole of Israel during His earthly sojourn! He healed many. He cast our demons. He performed mighty miracles.
One would have thought that some would have found great faith in the Lord Jesus Christ! Sadly, this was not the case. He could not even commend His own 12 Disciples as people with outstanding faith! There were only two people the Lord Jesus commended strongly for their faith!
A ROMAN CENTURION
One of them was a Roman centurion. Luke listed some of the qualities that he possessed. The following comments were made by the Jews concerning this Gentile.
- He was “deserving” of help from the Lord Luke 7:4
- He “loves our nation” Luke 7:5
- He “built us a synagogue” Luke 7:5
AN UNUSUAL SENSE OF JEWISH REGARD OF THE CENTURION
Generally speaking, the Jews did not like the presence of the Romans in Judea and Galilee. But this Roman centurion was well-spoken of by the Jews!
THE CENTURION’S REGARD OF THE LORD JESUS
When the Lord Jesus heard these things, He walked towards the house of the Roman centurion. Hearing that the Lord Jesus was coming to his house, he went to the Lord Jesus personally. His remarks were remarkable.
- “Do not trouble Yourself” Luke 7:6a
- “I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof” Luke 7:6b
- “I did not even think myself worthy to come to You” Luke 7:7a
- “But say the word, and my servant would be healed” Luke 7:7b
THE LORD’S RESPONSE
The response of the Lord Jesus is truly worth noting.
“When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him,
And turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him,
‘I say to you, I have not found such great faith,
Not even in Israel.’” Luke 7:8
- The Lord addressed the crowd
a) The people who followed Him
b) The Disciples
- “Such great faith”
a) This was found in the Centurion
b) But such faith was not found in Israel!
OUR CHALLENGE
We may have knowledge. We may even speak of being disciples. But what the Lord is looking for is “great faith!” Let us look at what is hindering us from possessing great faith in the Lord Jesus Christ! Let us seek to address our problems. May we be found to have “such great faith” one day!