Luke 7:1-10 What Kind of Faith Does Jesus Call Great?

The Bible tells us, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Faith simply trusts the promises and word of God - even when it might seem impossible. In our text this morning, we have a wonderful example of faith. In fact, it is a faith which Jesus praises. What kind of faith does Jesus call great? A faith that is unselfish and humble. A faith which trusts completely in Christ and his Word.

 Jesus was in the town of Capernaum which was a city on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee where Jesus stayed during much of his Galilean ministry; and several of his disciples came from Capernaum. It was located on an important trade route, which was probably the reason why there was a garrison of Roman soldiers stationed there. A Roman centurion – a commander of 100 men – was in command of this garrison.

 This foreign soldier had come to know the true God. No doubt he had heard about Jesus’ miracles and he must have been brought to the conclusion on the basis of Jesus’ teaching and miracles that this was the Savior promised in the Old Testament. Only someone with divine power could perform the miracles which Jesus did. Now this centurion comes to Jesus with a concern – not for himself, but for his sick and dying servant. He enlists the help from some of the elders of the Jewish synagogue to have them go and ask Jesus for his help. The centurion’s faith had already been seen in action before this. He had built a synagogue in the city, out of his own means – a place where believers could gather to study the Scriptures, for worship and for prayer. The Jewish elders said of this centurion - “he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” Now the centurion shows his faith by brining this request on behalf of his servant. It wasn’t a concern just for himself but his concern was for others. 

 What a good example the centurion provides for us. The Bible is filled with encouragements for us to help others, to show love toward others, to put their needs and desires even ahead of our own. We are encouraged to act in love and not just to look out for our own interests or those who are close to us, but to show love even to our enemies. The apostle Paul encourages us, “as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” And Jesus tells us, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” It is a love modeled after Jesus’ own love for us. The centurion provides us with a good example of showing love and concern for others.

 Yet how we struggle at times to show love and concern for others. I want what is best for me and so I am often selfish in my thinking and actions. Out world encourages us in such thinking – it tells us we need to look out for number. Our selfishness, our lack of love and concern toward others is closely related to our sinful pride and a lack of humility. Consider the ways that our pride and selfishness can show itself. I’m not content with what I have. I see what others have, and I think that I deserve to have that too. Again, our world in advertising is right there encouraging us – you deserve to have this or that thing. Or why do I get upset when my idea isn’t the one accepted or things aren’t done the way that I think is best; why am I critical of others when they don’t do things in the way I would or make changes that I don’t like? It is selfish pride. I think that I know what is best and I am more concerned about my way than how something different might benefit others. My sinful, selfish pride shows itself in my unwillingness to serve or at least my unhappiness in serving when my efforts aren’t appreciated, when no one notices or thanks me or worse yet – when others take advantage of my service. Why does that irritate and upset me? Isn’t it because deep down I think that I am the one who deserves to be served? There is a lack of humility. There is my sinful, selfish flesh at work. In fact, even in our prayers – how often don’t we bring our requests and problems and concerns to the Lord, but fail to ask for others.

 But what a good example of unselfish concern for others and proper humility the centurion gives us. Even after Jesus had agreed to help and was on his way, we see the centurion’s humility. He sent word to Jesus before he arrived, “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you.” Here was a man of position and power - but he didn’t consider himself worthy to come before Jesus personally or to have Jesus enter his house. The Jews, thinking of the kindness he had shown - they thought that he was worthy. 

 But the centurion recognized who he was. He was just a mere man. He was a sinner. His request was directed to God. How could he a sinner stand before the Lord and make such a request.

 We too recognize the sinners that we are. But again, how easy for us to think that somehow even God owes us something. We look at the unbeliever prospering - he knows all the riches and pleasures of this world and we wonder why the Lord doesn’t bless us with more - after all we’re his children. We serve him, we worship him. When problems come into our lives, we grumble and complain. We might even ask “Why God?” So we need to be reminded that we have no right to expect anything from God - nothing except that he punish us for our sins. 

 We need to remember who we are too. We are unworthy. We must come before God and confess, “God be merciful to me, a sinner.” And God is gracious and merciful. Everything that we have is a precious gift of God’s grace and he always gives us everything that we need. He even promises that he will use the troubles and problems in our lives for our eternal good. We can trust him. He humbled himself to suffer and to die for us. He has given us eternal life. Certainly he will continue to care for us. 

So in humble thanksgiving, we are able to lay aside our own selfish concerns and put others first. In humbleness of faith, we are able to show love and concern for others, even when our service isn’t appreciated – because such service is done first of all in response to God’s great love for us. 

  With the centurion, we see that his humble faith was placed in the right spot. It was a Christ-centered faith that trusted Jesus word. Somehow, the centurion had learned about Jesus. His deep respect for Jesus and his trust in Jesus’ almighty power is shown throughout the story. Through his study of the Old Testament, he must have recognized that Jesus was the fulfillment of those promises made in the Old Testament. And as the promised Messiah, as the Son of God, he knew that Jesus was able to help. Only God holds the power of life and death. Only God could help his servant who was dying. And the centurion went to the right place - he went to Jesus.

 Faith needs to be in the right place. A misplaced faith, no matter how strong, no matter how sincere is worthless. If you have faith that someone can run and win a marathon, but that person is crippled and can’t walk - it doesn’t matter how strong your faith in him is, he isn’t going to win. There is only one who can save us from death - that is Jesus.

 Because like that centurion’s servant, we needed help - we weren’t just dying, we were dead in sin. Dead in sin and doomed to an eternity in hell. The only one who could help was Jesus. And he did just that. He came down from heaven and was born a true human being, born of a virgin to take our place under the law. He went to the cross and died to make payment for our sins. He has given to us eternal life in heaven. The apostle Paul writes, “When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins.” Jesus is the way to eternal life in heaven - the only way. That is where our faith must be centered. 

 Jesus comes to us through his written word. He calls upon us to simply trust him and his word – completely and totally. He tells us everything we need to know. He doesn’t lead us astray. Notice the trust the centurion had in Jesus word. He recognized that Jesus didn’t need to come to heal his dying servant - just say the word. He knew that Jesus had the power and the authority to accomplish that, simply with his word. 

 The centurion uses himself as an example of authority. He had soldiers and servants under him. All he had to do was issue the order and what he commanded was carried out. Well, how much greater was the authority of Jesus. He is the almighty Son of God. Simply by the power of his word the universe was made. Certainly all he had to do was speak the word and this servant would be healed.

 We too, can trust in Jesus word - completely and totally. How difficult that kind of trust can be. Sometimes God’s word doesn’t seem to make sense to our human logic - things like the doctrine of the Trinity, or Jesus nature - how could Jesus be both true God and true man, how could the Son of God die, why would God sacrifice his Son for sinful creatures. Many things we must simply accept by faith. Other things perhaps we don’t like to hear - it may seem to make our lives more difficult if we follow the Lord’s word. Other teachings in God’s word may make us unpopular with the world or even other Christians. When we face ridicule or abuse for our standing firm on God’s word, we might find it difficult to trust that Word. How hard to trust God’s promises, when the opposite appears to be the case. God promises to always be with us, he promises to work everything for our eternal good – how hard in difficult times to trust those promises. 

 But the Bible is the word of the eternal God. It is all true. And it is God’s power. As the apostle Paul declares, “I am not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” Through that word our Savior Jesus and his work of salvation is revealed to us. Through that word the Holy Spirit works to create and to strengthen faith. There in that word God reveals to us the only way of salvation in Jesus. He gives us everything we need. That message is our comfort and hope in every situation. Through that word, not only does God give to us salvation but he also guides our lives here on earth. That word shows us how to live so that we might thank and praise God for all that he has done. That word shows us how to live a godly life which God blesses. 

 What a tremendous miracle we see Jesus perform. He heals this dying servant simply by his word. But there is another miracle here that is of perhaps even greater importance. It is the faith of the centurion. Faith is a precious gift of God - a miracle of God. He takes a dead sinner and makes him alive. Only God can produce such a faith - a faith that Jesus praises.

 May the Lord grant to us such a faith - that we recognize the sinners that we are and place our whole trust in Jesus as our Savior. May we have such a trust in God’s word and promises, that we take him and his word and never doubt. May we show our faith by our concern for others as we live in love and humility. Yes, “Lord grant us such a faith as this and whate’er may come, We’ll taste the e’en now the hallowed bliss of an eternal home.”