Such Great Faith

Luke 7:1-10

We are often amazed by the faith of the men who let down their friend through the roof, thinking what great faith it must take to exert such effort. Other times we are impressed with the faith required to produce some miracle.

When his disciples were unable to cast out a demon. Jesus told them that the reason was their unbelief. He didn’t tell them that it was because their faith was too small. He referred to the mustard seed as the smallest of seeds, and said if they had even such a minute amount of faith, nothing would be impossible in Matthew 17:20. “And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”

I suspect that many of the rituals we develop for healing and other activities requiring faith are a cover for disbelief. We can blame failure on not properly doing the ritual, rather than on our unbelief. The centurion exhibits no such unbelief.

“Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum. And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die. And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this: For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.” (Luke 17:1-5)

The centurion represents the hated Roman government, yet he has shown himself to be such a caring individual that the Jewish leaders would go to Jesus to intercede on his behalf. He shows the same concern for his servant, refusing to leave his side. He has demonstrated his interest in the things of God by paying for the construction of a synagogue. When he hears that Jesus is available, he believes he could heal his servant and asks Jesus to do so. While not a Jew, he clearly has a devout desire to serve God. It is what he does when he hears Jesus is coming that marks his faith as greater than most.

“Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.” (Luke 7:6-8)

Knowing the Jewish prohibition on associating with those of other races, and believing that Jesus was the son of God, the centurion asked Jesus to heal his servant. Knowing his own authority, that he could ask others to do a task and expect it to be done, he did not expect Jesus to personally come to his house. Just speaking the word, where ever he was would be enough. Such faith, from a person who had not been raised on Jewish tradition was what Jesus referred to. He never even went on to the man’s home, but te servant was healed when they got home.

“When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.” (Luke 7:9-10)

There have been a lot of books written about prayer, and many have emphasized spending hours upon hours in prayer. Like a lot of preachers, they ignore Jesus’ command in Matthew 6:7-8. “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.” The impression is that God only hears us if we pray long enough and hard enough. That probably explains the ritual prayers we have as well.

At one point, in his orphans home, George Mueller had about a hundred children housed. A visitor overheard one of the staff tell him they had nothing to feed the children at noon. Mr. Mueller said they would pray and he and his guest knelt to pray. Mr. Mueller simply prayed, something to the effect of “Lord, you know we need to feed one hundred kids at noon. Please send the food.” He then resumed his conversation with the guest

The guest was appalled at such a short prayer, and questioned Mueller’s sincerity. As Mr. Mueller explained, God already knew and would supply. At noon, a carriage arrived with a fully prepared meal sufficient to feed everyone there. Like the centurion, Mueller believed God would act. The results were not dependent on his efforts. Too often we pray or act like the church in Acts 12, praying desperately for Peter’s deliverance, yet not believing when Rhoda told them. God’s answers do not depend on our ritual or prayers. We are just to believe, and act accordingly. The centurion did.