Great Faith

N.T.#526 "Great Faith"

April 10, 2025 

Luke 7 

LET IT GLOW

This past week my state has had an over-abundance of rain. We really need some for we were in a drought. Yet it kept pouring down. Our yards were flooded. The road to our farm was flooded and rocks washed into the road. It was passable so I was able to feed my cats living there. By the weekend, the lowlands of our state were flooded, running off of the mountains. Tornadoes sparked as thunderstorms came and came. Yet, we had hope that the rains would stop and the flood waters would recede. And it has done just that in our area. 

Without hope, despair drowns in difficulties, all too often pulling its victim under with it. (Thornton Wilder)

Spiritually speaking, we sometimes get flooded with hurtful words, tragedies, problems, changes, that keep coming down upon us, weighing us down, trying to drown us. What do we do? There is always hope in Jesus. 

Jesus encountered hopelessness in varying degrees. Luke illustrates a close connection between hope for the future and confidence in Jesus' power and goodness. Here Jesus and His apostles returned to His adopted home of Capernaum. He may have stayed in the home of Peter's wife's family or with Matthew. 

Now we read of two healings performed by Jesus-the centurion's servant and the widow's only son. The first was deathly ill, while the latter was already dead.

What do we know about this centurion?

• He could have had up to 6,000 Roman soldiers under his command.
• These were Gentiles so Jews would have to go through a cleansing ritual before entering the synagogue again after being with them.
• Some Jewish elders considered the centurion worthy of Jesus' miraculous healing of his slave. 
• The centurion had funded the building of the Jewish synagogue in Capernaum.
• The guy loved the Jews, though not many did so.
• He sent friends to Jesus concerning the matter. The guy felt so unworthy to ask Jesus to heal his friend, much less come to his house. 
• Let's not forget that the centurion's servant was dear to him. Dear means valued, more honored, precious.  (Maybe the servant had been under the centurion's command for a long time. At any rate, he cared about the guy and didn't want him to die.)
• Matthew 8 tells us the man had palsy, which means he was paralyzed and greatly afflicted. 

Do we take our friends' problems to the Lord Jesus in prayer? As the centurion went extraordinary lengths to save a life, do we?

LET IT GROW

The centurion realized Jesus was a man with authority. Perhaps he had heard about Jesus casting out demons. This man was one with power and influence in the Roman military, so he understood authority. His word caused men to go, come, and to do something. So would a word from Jesus. Just say the Word, Jesus and it will be done. 

... but say the word, and my servant shall be healed. (verse 7)

Jesus responded by telling the crowd following Him, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. (verse 9)

Can you see Jesus standing there, marveling and amazed at the centurion's great faith? His faith was the greatest that Jesus had seen in all of Israel. 

Matthew 8:10 says that Jesus marvelled (to wonder, to admire) at the man's great faith.

Where is the response about what happened by the people, Mr. Luke? 

Jesus dealt with the cause of physical sicknesses, sin itself, when He died on the cross. 

Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses. (Isaiah 53:4, Matthew 8:17)

LET IT GO

When we have tried everything and still no change in our troubles, we must lay them at the feet of  Jesus, and let Him take them away from us, to deal with them as He would.

When it happens, let Jesus have the victory and glory.