Affirmation Of Faith

When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! Luke 7: 9

Having been schooled on three of the four undeniable facts about great faith, faith which Jesus heard from the centurion through other voices, faith which excited Him and made Him marvel, so that He was compelled to publicize it, we move on to the final fact. Before doing so, I remind you of the previous three.

Attitude of faith – Recognition of one’s unworthiness.

Attention of faith – Registering of one’s unworthiness.

Administration of faith – Response to Jesus’ worthiness   

Here is the fourth and final unarguable fact.

Affirmation of faith – Reverencing of Jesus’ worthiness.

For I also am a man placed under authority, having 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.

Let’s pause for a bit to focus directly on this certain centurion, who acknowledges his unworthiness when it comes to Jesus, coming to his house.  To come to a man’s house is to come to the man. Understood in what this man is saying, is that his house is not worthy enough for Jesus to come to it. If we had to describe this unworthy house, by all worldly standards, it would be a mansion of a house. It would be a rich, ornate, impressive and elaborate house, because he is a man of considerable means. I mean, if he has the financial power, means and resources to build a synagogue for the Jews, he must be a very wealthy man indeed. With such a house, worthy of the presence of royalty, this centurion sees it as unworthy of the presence of Rabbi Jesus. O how he reveres Jesus, and holds Him so divinely high and holy, his house is not fit for such a high, holy and mighty One. Faith and faith alone flourishes such reverence. I am not worthy that You should come under my roof.

The house is not worthy and the man is not worthy. Who is this unworthy man? He is a Roman soldier, a commander, and a centurion at that. He is the leader and commander of scores of soldiers. In other words, he has many men under him, so that he is very well-known and respected in the community and no doubt, beyond his community. The point is that he’s a man of considerable standing and note among the Roman people, because of his high calling. Additionally, he’s a man of considerable standing among the Jewish community, for he has demonstrated his love, respect and generosity towards them. With such a reputation, worthy of his own people and those who are not his own people, this centurion does not even think himself worthy to come to Jesus. Indeed, this centurion holds Jesus in such high esteem and holy reverence, he can never begin to think of himself as worthy enough to come to such a High and Mighty One. Faith and faith alone flourishes such respect and reverence. I did not even think myself worthy to come to You.

It is this affirmation of faith about oneself and about Jesus that allows the words and works of faith, which make Jesus marvel.

The centurion speaks of his absolute belief and respect for the power of genuinely given authority. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. He knows the power of the word of command and he gives that same credence to Jesus.

The centurion speaks of his personal knowledge of authority. For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. He informs Jesus that he knows how simple it is, as a person himself under authority, with soldiers under him. Is he not also saying to Jesus that he respects Him and His Authority, as a Man under Authority with all human evils under Him, whether it be sickness, demon possession, principalities and powers?

The centurion speaks of his unquestionable authority over those whom he has been given command. 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. He knows beyond the shadow of a doubt that Jesus is not just a Man of Authority, by all his experiences of the power of words of command with his soldiers and servants, so he knows that one Word of Command of Jesus, without repetition, will be, must be obeyed.

Speak the Word Jesus, give the command,

Grant me faith’s mind to understand,

You’re all-powerful what You speak must stand,

All evil will obey what ere You demand .

Amen!

 

When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! Luke 7: 9.