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Written by: Bill Elliff
There are only two times recorded in the scripture when Jesus was amazed and both of them deal with someone’s response of faith. Luke 7 record’s the interchange between Jesus and a Centurion (a Roman leader over 100 men) who had a dying slave and sent for Jesus. When Christ was on his way, the Centurion send word ahead, express total faith in Christ which came from his own experience with authority.
…When (Jesus) was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” (Luke 8:6-8)
The Centurion not only believed in Christ’s power to heal, he also realized that anyone with such power would not be limited by time and space. That all of life was under Jesus’ command. He believed in Christ’s ULTIMATE power. He believed that Christ was omnipotent (all-powerful) but also omnipresent (present everywhere) and a simple thought from Christ’s mind could heal his servant. And…he was right.
What’s fascinating is Christ’s response.
When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well. (Luke 8:9-10)
The world “marveled” means “to be amazed, be in wonder, be astonished, be surprised.” There is only one other record of Jesus responding this way. In Mark 6:6, in his hometown of Nazareth, Jesus “marveled” at their UN-belief. They had Christ right in front of them. They knew Him and yet they did not trust in Him.
Want to impress Christ? Believe today. Have faith in his power to do anything, anywhere. Such faith would most certainly be manifested in our praying. If we accepted Christ’s ultimate authority we would find ourselves asking Him for bigger things with no limitations. Such marveling faith would be the kind that asks something of God and then believes that He will accomplish it. As my mentor, Manley Beasley said he would “act as it were so, even if it were not so, in order for it to be so.”
(copyright Bill Elliff, 2011)
2ProphetU is an online magazine/website, started by Warren Wiersbe and Michael Catt, to build up the church, seek revival, and encourage pastors.