Jesus marveled. Imagine being the person who caused Jesus to marvel?
In Matthew Chapter 8, we are given the account of a Roman centurion’s encounter with Jesus Christ. The centurion asks Jesus to heal his servant. But when Jesus agrees to go to the centurion’s house to heal the servant, the centurion replies, “Lord, I am not worthy to have You come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.”
The centurion explains to Jesus that he understands how authority works, and he not only recognized, but also had utter trust in the Lordship of Jesus Christ. And we are told, “..when Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those following Him, ‘Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.’” Brothers and sisters, Jesus said this “to.. those.. following.. Him.” He said this to His disciples. He said no one in all of Israel had demonstrated such faith. Let’s think about that for a minute.
I think this encounter has far deeper implications than what I usually see it used to teach (i.e. miraculous healing, demonic deliverance). This encounter with the centurion was after Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, when many were “amazed at His teaching” and “large crowds followed Him.” Many followed Jesus and were amazed at His teaching, many saw His miracles (Matt 5:23-25), but by our Lord’s own words, none of those people—alas, even His own disciples up to that time— possessed a faith so utter and so complete in His Lordship, in which He could marvel.
Oh Lord, open our eyes to any blindness within us so that it may be said of us: “I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.”
(Luke 18:7,8) Will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He continue to defer their help? I tell you, He will promptly carry out justice on their behalf. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?
(1 Peter 1:7-9) [Trials] have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
(Matt 7:21-23) Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’
(John 6:40) For this is the will of my Father: Everyone who sees [beholds, perpetually gazes upon for the purpose of analyzing and comprehending, experiences in a way that leads to discernment] The Son and trusts [relies upon, entrusts themselves to, places confidence in, abides in] Him shall have eternal life, and I shall raise him in the last day.
