Stories of Faith

"When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. "Lord," he said, "my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering." Jesus said to him, "I will go and heal him." The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith." (Matthew 8: 5-10 NIV)

Both Jesus and the Holy Spirit thought that this story of faith must be memorialized. There are great and important lessons about faith, and the life and practice of faith, in this story. What is it that is so remarkable about the faith of this man?

First, let us notice the obvious or common items of his faith. It was directed to a proper object, to the most "trustworthy" person, to the Lord Jesus Christ. He believed that Jesus was the Messiah, the Savior, and "son of David," and the "Son of God," believing in the reports of him, even perhaps witnessing his miracles. Second, his faith was great in that he had little doubt about the power of the Lord Jesus Christ to effect any miracle. Third, he did not have to personally witness or see the miracle performed. He believed Christ only had to "order" or "command" that a thing be done and others would execute it without hesitation or failure, be they angels or men. He believed Christ possessed not only power (might) but also all "authority" and "right" as "sovereign of sovereigns." He also had a meekness and humility about his faith. He gave as an added reason for Christ performing the miracle by word alone, rather than by both his word and his personal presence, that he was "unworthy" or did not "deserve" that such an important and mighty personage as Jesus should grace his home. He both saw his own unworthiness and the worthiness of Christ. Besides, he may have even felt like Christ's personal presence and time could be better spent serving others. Such faith! Lord, just speak the word!

"A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession." Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us." He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel." The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said. He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs." "Yes, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour." (Matthew 15: 22-28 NIV)

What is so memorable about this woman's faith? Surely it is the same special qualities that were displayed in the faith of the centurion. But, additionally, she showed a persistance in her seeking and petitioning of the Messiah. She showed that she recognized Jesus as the promised "Sovereign" of Israel and of the world. She came kneeling before him, recognizing his royalty and his lordship. She persevered in her efforts to make contact with Christ. She would not be denied.

She also had great understanding of her relationship to Christ. She also saw her own unworthiness and the worthiness of Christ. She showed faith in the mercy and goodness of Christ. She did not believe he was mean or a tyrant. She also was meek and humble and this is always present in those with "great" faith. Those with great faith are never found boasting nor feeling as if they deserved the attention of the Lord.

She was not too proud to be thought a "beggar." She had no difficulty approaching Christ meekly and gently. It was no pretended humility. She also had a proper estimation of things. She judged that the "crumbs" that fall from the "table" of such a great sovereign Lord would be better than the feast of any earthly king!

She showed that she had great understanding about the "nature" of her sovereign Lord. She was not unacquainted with his qualities of his person. She believed that he would be gracious to her because she believed he was of a gracious character.

Both the above cases of "great faith" came from "Gentiles," from those outside of the Hebrew nation. It was in some ways an "omen" or "portend" of what was yet to come, for the Hebrews generally, as a nation, would reject Christ, and show no faith in him, nor see their unworthiness and his worthiness, while the Gentiles, generally, would embrace the Hebrew Messiah and enter into the blessings and privileges of the "new covenant."

"And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated—the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect." (Hebrews 11: 32-40 NIV)

Friend, if you are faithless, is it because you do not see God and Christ as worthy of your faith and trust? I pray the God will open your eyes to see the worthiness of God and Christ and be drawn to place full faith and confidence in Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.