When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith.” Matthew 8:10 NABRE
Matthew is telling of a miracle story in which Jesus heals the servant of a Roman Centurion. The Roman came to Jesus for help with a servant who is paralyzed and suffering dreadfully. Jesus responds as if He will go to the Roman’s house to help, but the Centurion says to Jesus, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed.” (Matthew 8:8) We see in the quoted text above Jesus’ reaction, He is amazed. Scholars say this is the only time in the scriptures where Jesus is amazed. Imagine being able to say something to Jesus that would amaze Him. The faith of the Roman is more than any faith Jesus has witnessed, particularly from the people who were God’s chosen and aware of all that would be happening when the Messiah arrives. Yet, it is the Roman who believes so strongly, He calls Jesus Lord and he knows Jesus only has to say the word and his servant will be fine. Perhaps we would prefer Jesus be present at the healing so if it doesn’t work we can beg or ask Him to try something else. But, the Roman, uneducated in scripture or the coming Messiah is confident Jesus can do anything.
It would be wonderful to amaze Jesus. It would be wonderful to have the faith of this Roman who knows Jesus heals. We never meet the Roman again so we have to presume Jesus healing worked. To have faith like this Roman we must believe as though life depends on Jesus and not us. This is the case with God, we couldn’t recreate a stopped breath, so trusting and having faith is really our only hope.
How does your faith compare to the Roman’s? Do you depend on Jesus?
Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed. (Matthew 8:9) Click To Tweet#bible #godisgreat #jesus #christianity#dailybibleverse @youversion#BeAnEncourager #faith #heal#Matthew #everybodyalways #god#jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood#dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture#bibleverse #verseoftheday #pray#prayer #goodnews #loveeachother#godisgreat #thisVineyard#youversion #everythingalways