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A Demonstration of Faith

by James Webb  
3/20/2015 / Devotionals

But the centurion said, "Lord, I am not worthy for You to come under my roof, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed." Matthew 8:8 (NASB)

Probably one of the greatest demonstrations that we have of faith recorded for us in the Bible (at least in the New Testament, anyway - especially in the Gospel accounts) is the story found in Matthew, Chapter 8, specifically verses 5-13, about the Roman centurion.

As the Bible simply tells us at the beginning of this section of Scripture, "Jesus had entered Capernaum" (v. 5a). It is around this time that it is recorded for us as well that "a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, saying, 'Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented'" (vv. 5b-6). Jesus offers to come with the centurion to his house and heal his servant (v. 7), but the centurion insists that Jesus doesn't have to come, stating the following: (Once again) "Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed" (v. 8 NKJV). And just to demonstrate what the centurion truly understood of what he was asking of Jesus, he proceeded to explain how this understanding of speaking the word worked in his own life:

"For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it" (v. 9 NKJV).

The centurion, first of all, acknowledged that just as he was under authority (under the authority of Caesar/Rome), he could understand the legitimate authority that Christ was under as well (i.e., God's authority). And just like this centurion understood that with the authority that he had been given by Rome to command those under him by his authoritative word alone as a Roman officer, so he could acknowledge as one under authority to another under legitimate authority, Jesus, how much he understood that Jesus' words would accomplish what they proclaimed as well. In response to this centurion's faith, the Bible tells us that Jesus "marveled" and stated the following to those who were listening to Him at that time: "Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!" (v. 10b).

Think about this statement of Christ's for a moment: Concerning ALL the Pharisees existing at that time (the Pharisees being considered by many as the "experts in the law"), concerning all the priests - and high priest(s) - who served in relation to the temple and its ceremonial/religious services, concerning ALL the scribes and Sadducees and Jewish laypeople in relation to their seemingly devout reverence towards God, concerning all the Gentiles such as this centurion who knew of God (or even of Christ at this point), no one - as far as Christ was concerned - had demonstrated such "great faith" as this Roman centurion - this Gentile, of all people(!) - had demonstrated! (Once again, the Bible states that Jesus - "the Word made flesh," God Himself" - marveled" in response to this man's "great faith.")

In regards to the subject of faith, the Bible simple states, "the just shall live by faith" (Romans 1:17b; cf. Hab. 2:4); and this faith in question, in essence, simply "comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rom. 10:17). (Truly, as the author of Hebrews in essence states concerning the very nature of faith, "Faith is what makes real the things we hope for. It is proof of what we cannot see." Hebrews 11:1 ERV.)

Do we like this centurion simply take God - or more specifically, Christ - at His word? Do we - like the centurion - simply say, "Just say the word, Lord! Just say the word"? (Though God has already stated many things in His written word for our benefit, no less - in relation to His great care for us [e.g., Matt. 6:25-34; Heb. 13:5; Phil. 4:19; etc.]; understanding, of course, as Jesus stated at one time to His disciples, that it only takes faith "as a mustard seed" to remove "mulberry trees," or "mountains," etc. [Luke 17:5-6; Matt. 17:19-20].) When we do, in faith simply taking God at His word, that is, as Jesus stated to those as well who were listening in relation to this encounter with the centurion, we too will "sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 8:11; Abraham, Isaac & Jacob clearly displayed a taking-God-at-His-word kind of faith, no less); in essence, we will manifest a faith like those who will be found living in the age to come.

As Jesus asked at one time in the context of persistent, unwavering, prayerful faith, in relation to the story of the persistent widow and unjust judge (Luke 18:1-8), "when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" According to Jesus, yes - yes, He will! (E.g., Matt. 13:41-43.) May we take courage in God's word, knowing that He will remain faithful to His word and do all that He has promised when all is said and done.

Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Hebrews 10:23 (The Message)

James has served as a teacher, speaker and local church elder. He has an ongoing desire to encourage others by sharing the truly good news of Jesus Christ with them; ultimately bringing honor and glory to God. He may be personally contacted at: [email protected].

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