GREAT FAITH

LUKE 7:7-9 NKJ 
7 Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." 
9 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!" 

OBSERVATION:

It's not too often that we see Jesus amazed, especially with someone's faith.   

But in this passage, Jesus marveled. He was amazed at the faith of this Roman centurion.   

This centurion had a sick servant, so he sent people to ask Jesus to come heal the man.   

Jesus agreed to come, but the centurion stopped him. The man did not consider himself worthy to have Jesus come to his house. This guy is the poster child for humility. Even though he was a powerful military leader of the occupying army, he esteemed Jesus much greater than himself.   

And all he needed from Jesus was a word. If Jesus would simply give the command, the servant would be healed. The centurion did not have to see anything or feel anything. He did not have to have Jesus come in person and pray for the servant. Just say the word, and it will be done.   

This man knew the power of words that are spoken with authority. He would command his soldiers and servants, and it would happen. As a Roman centurion, he was under authority himself with people over him. He knew that commands were to be obeyed.   

So, when this centurion heard of Jesus and the miracles that were being performed, he recognized a man operating under God's power and authority. And God was greater than Rome.   

This Roman centurion never went to bible school, but he recognized power and knew how power was conveyed. Only say the word. And his servant was healed! 

APPLICATION: 

I want to have a faith that makes Jesus smile. It's a faith that does not need to see or feel. It's a faith that trusts in God's word. A faith that believes if God has said it, that's the way it will be.   

The good news is we all have some of this faith already. We used it when we made Jesus our Lord.   

So now we can continue to live by this same faith. Lord, I don't need to see or feel things. Just say the word, and I believe.