A Pause to Ponder God's Word
"Great Faith"

His servant was very ill and paralyzed. He wasn't sure if there was any hope for this man who was under his care. He heard that Jesus was in the area and wondered if he would help his servant? So, the centurion officer went out in search of Jesus. When he found Him, he explained the situation telling Jesus that his servant was at home in bed, paralyzed and suffering greatly. Jesus' heart went out to the man and He told the centurion He would go and heal his servant. The centurion, however, humbly stopped Jesus telling Him that He need not come to his house. He said, "I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. Just say the word and my servant will be healed. I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell one, 'go' and he goes; and that one 'Come' and he comes. I say to my servant 'Do this' and he does this." Jesus astonishingly announced for all to hear, "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such a great faith," and with a word He healed the servant.

Without faith it is impossible to please God! Without faith it is impossible to be and live Christian! We would all do well to have a "great faith," but what is it? Is it different than "faith?" Are there degrees or levels of faith? Is faith a matter of quantity or size, some having a small faith and others a great faith? What did Jesus mean by calling this man's faith "great?"

Understanding this is vital to Christians. There are those who promote faith quantitatively telling people that if only they had more or greater faith they would have whatever they wanted or would be free from all illnesses or could accomplish whatever they put their mind to. Such is a gross misrepresentation of true biblical Christian faith. In pointing out this man's faith Jesus reveals the character of true faith. He is not suggesting that this type of faith is available to only a select few. He is emphasizing the character of this man's faith, which is to characterize all His people's faith. Therefore, it is expedient for us to look closely at this event and learn from this man's faith.

Three distinct things about the centurion's faith are noted in this account: Who the faith is placed in; the understanding of Jesus' authority; and the humility of the one exercising faith. The centurion came to Jesus. His faith is not in what Jesus can do, but rather in the person of Jesus. It is interesting that he does not ask Jesus to heal the servant. He simply conveys the situation. It isn't until after Jesus tells him that He will come and heal the servant that the man speaks about healing. This would indicate that the centurion is coming to Jesus, not necessarily to Jesus the healer. Great faith is placed in Jesus. He alone is worthy of our faith!

The centurion's statement about Jesus' authority is unique to the healing accounts recorded in Scripture. His recognition of Jesus' authority is revealed in two ways. First, as noted earlier, he did not ask Jesus to heal the servant. He simply told Jesus the situation. He submitted to Jesus' authority over him and the situation. His faith was such that he was willing to let Jesus respond to the situation rather than his request. His understanding is also, and most clearly, revealed in his statement about Jesus' authority. "Just say the word and my servant will be healed." His explanation of authority only fortified his submission to Jesus and His will. Great faith recognizes and submits to Jesus' authority.

It is impossible to miss the centurion's humility. "I do not deserve to have you come under my roof" and " I myself am a man under authority." Though his statement about being under authority was not directly related to being under Jesus' authority, his demeanor and candor would suggest that it was included in his statement. He was not about to presume upon Jesus. He would never consider demanding of Jesus. Such an attitude is foreign to a society that teaches that we deserve and have the right to what ever we desire. But faith would have no such attitude. Great faith humbly bows to the Lordship of Jesus, never presuming or demanding. It submits to, receives, and obeys the Lord's will.

Great faith need not be so uncommon as to "astonish" Jesus when He sees it. Rather, it should be the standard of all who know Him as Savior and Lord. Beloved, may our faith be of such greatness that it is in Jesus alone, humbly submitted to His authority in every detail of our lives. Oh for such a faith as this!

Keep Close To Jesus
Pastor Gerry


A Pause To Ponder God's Word is written and distributed by Gerald Whetstone, Ordained Elder and teacher in the Church of the Nazarene. These devotionals may be transmitted, duplicated, used in part or in entirety without permission for nonprofit purposes only. Responses welcome. To Subscribe Click Here.
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