Title: The Centurion's Faith (Matthew 08:5-13)
Content There is nothing in the Bible that says that Jesus laughed. It's not that he couldn't laugh, it's that he didn't have anything to laugh about. There are many accounts of Jesus weeping. It can be said that there was a lot of rain.
John said that Jesus came to his land, but the people did not accept him. The other disciples could not understand the heart of Jesus. There were so many things to cry about.
Here is an exceptional case. A centurion pleased Jesus very much. His faith made Jesus happy. Turns out, it wasn't because the centurion had done something for Jesus. On the contrary, when Jesus granted the centurion's request, he liked it. There is a saying called love. It means to be happy and satisfied. Jesus met with precious faith after a long time and was glad. It's like finding an oasis in the desert.
Centurion's Faith
1. The Centurion's Problem
The centurion had a servant. He was suffering from paralysis. At the time, it could not be cured by medicine. At the same time, I learned that the powerful Jesus, whom I had only heard of through rumors, was coming. He wanted to go to Jesus with his problems.
2. The Centurion and Jesus
Centurion: Lord, my servant is terribly ill with paralysis.
Jesus: I will go and heal you.
Centurion's example
- As a master, he was kind to his servants.
- Abandoning authority and being humble. A Roman officer bowed his head to a young man from the conquered for his servant.
the Lord's help
-The Lord is active in doing good.
-The centurion's good deeds were rewarded with meeting the Lord.
- Misfortune or hardship is not necessarily a bad thing.
Centurion: (Matthew 8:8) The centurion answered and said, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my house; but speak only the word, and my servant will be healed." (Matthew 8:9) And there are soldiers under me, so if you say to one go, you go; if you say to another, say, ‘Come,’ they come.
Centurion's Faith
-Have strong faith in Jesus.
-Faith is trusting others.
What did you believe about Jesus?
- There is no time constraint.
- No distance restrictions.
- Anything can be done.
- The Lord is omnipotent. He is the one with the power of God.
- Your words will soon become reality.
Jesus: “(Matthew 8:10) When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith in anyone in Israel.” (Matthew 8:13) Jesus said to the centurion, “Go, you believed. Let it be done.” And the servant was healed at that hour.”
[Wonderful] - Two surprises of Jesus
- Surprised by the centurion's faith
-The people of Nazareth were amazed that they did not believe him (Mark 6:6).
[Go, let it be done according to your faith]
-Believe in me, and I will do it.
-If you trust me, I will do it.
Result: At that time the servant was healed.
Faith that pleases Jesus
-The faith of Jairus, the ruler of the synagogue: “(Mark 5:23) He made many supplications, saying, My little daughter is about to die; come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be saved and live.”
-A woman who had been suffering from bleeding for twelve years: “(Mark 5:27) When he heard the news of Jesus, he mixed with the crowd and came back and touched his clothes (Mark 5:28), because even if I only touched his clothes, he would be saved. Say you will get it.”
The woman of Syrobonice: “(Mark 7:28) The woman answered and said, “Surely, Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the crumbs of the children.”
Faith that intellectually knows the truth about God but does not entrust one's problems to God is dead faith. You cannot meet the Lord with this kind of faith alone. The faith that Jesus is looking for is a faith that puts my family, business, health, and destiny into trust and rest in the Lord who lives here and now.
suasion
1. Believe that what the Lord says will come true.
2. Tell him about your problems and obey him.
The Lord tells a person of such faith to do what you believe. God has prepared everything and awaits our faith. The question is how much we trust the Lord.
what is your problem