A DISPLAY OF GREAT FAITH

PROCLAMATION

“Now when He had ended all His sayings … He entered into Capernaum.  And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.  And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto Him the elders of the Jews, beseeching Him that He would come and heal his servant. … Then Jesus went with them. … The centurion sent friends to Him, saying unto Him, ‘Lord, trouble not thyself; for I am not worthy that Thou shouldest enter under my roof; ... but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. … When Jesus heard these things, He marvelled at him, and turned Him about, and said unto the people that followed Him, ‘I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.’  And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.”  Luke 7:1-10 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, according to Luke, the physician.   After Jesus went down from the mountainside, (Luke 6:12-17) He spoke to His disciples and to those who followed Him. (Luke 6:20-49)  When He had finished speaking, He left there and entered Capernaum.  This is where He healed the servant of the centurion who had displayed such great faith in Him. (Luke 7:1-10)  Afterwards He went to the town of Nain and raised the widow’s son from the dead. (Luke 7:11-17)  When the disciples of John the baptizer asked Jesus, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” Jesus told the disciples of John to tell him what they had seen and heard. (Luke 7:18-35)  Later on, Jesus accepted an invitation to dinner in the home of one of the Pharisees.  While He was there a woman anointed His feet with perfume.  When the Pharisee, who had invited Him to dinner, saw this, he commented to Jesus that the woman was a sinner.  Jesus replied to him with The Parable of The Two Debtors.  Then He told the woman, “Thy sins are forgiven.” … “Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.” (Luke 7:36-50) 

 

APPLICATION

On more than one occasion Jesus responded to His disciples, ‘O ye of little faith.’  The same can be said of believers today.  Without faith it is impossible to please Him. (Hebrews 11:16)  This centurion displayed such great faith in Jesus that it impressed Him. (Luke 7:9)  As believers, we are to walk by faith and not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)  We need to exercise our faith in order for it to grow.  The testing and trying of our faith produces perseverance. (James 1:3)  The Bible says, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trials…” (James 1:12)  So, let us keep the faith, and exercise our faith, and pray for an increase in our faith which will allow us to please The Lord God.