Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation.” Hebrews chapter 11, later labeled the “Hall of Faith,” goes on to describe many heroes of the faith.
Do you have faith like that of Abraham or Moses or Rahab? How about David, Samuel and the prophets? Paul? Peter? Those heroes of faith, and many others, are our inspirations. They are also very tough acts to follow.
It might be encouraging to consider someone commended for faith greater than anyone in Israel. He’s not noted in Hebrews 11, but Jesus himself praised him for his faith.
Jesus Recognized Faith
Jesus always recognized great faith. He could see faith, or the lack of faith. Would you like to have heard from Jesus, as his disciples sometimes heard, “Oh you of little faith“? Me neither.
On the other hand, it would have been wonderful to have heard, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith.” Matthew 8:10
Jesus said those very words to a Roman centurion who had just asked him to heal his servant. Jesus had responded in the affirmative, and had been prepared to go to the centurion’s house. But the centurion said, “…only say the word, and my servant will be healed.”
Jesus saw something in the centurion’s statement that showed faith greater than anyone in Israel. What was it?
The Faith of the Centurion
The centurion explained his reasoning. He said that he knew what it was like to have authority over another, and he knew that those under his authority did what he told them to do. He knew that Jesus had authority too, in fact he understood that Jesus had complete authority, therefore Jesus could speak his desire and it would be done. Such logic made perfect sense to the centurion – he simply believed it – and Jesus commended him for great faith.
In the gospel of Matthew this interaction is second in a group of three healings. Jesus healed a man with leprosy, the centurion’s servant, and finally Peter’s mother. These healings demonstrated that Jesus had authority over disease, and they also showed that lepers, gentiles and women, three categories of people who were not particularly welcome in Jewish religious fellowship, were worthy of healing and had a place in the kingdom of God.
The same incident is communicated in Luke, and there we learn a little more about the centurion. He was a man of great integrity, he loved Israel, he had helped the Jews build their temple and the Jewish elders thought him worthy. That was saying quite a lot for a Roman centurion.
I wonder what the centurion knew about the faith? We’re only told that he was a man who respected Judaism and had heard of Jesus. That’s it. He probably had not read the Jewish scriptures, and he probably didn’t know the fine points about either Judaism or Jesus. But he apparently knew Jesus was God. He simply believed that Jesus had the power to heal his beloved servant.
Faith Building Applications For Us
I hope you are encouraged by this interaction between Jesus and the centurion, for it speaks faith building truth to all of us.
The centurion applied what he knew and could understand from his own experience to Jesus’ ministry. It just made sense to him that there was no need for Jesus to come to his house based on what he himself understood. And Jesus commended him for unmatched faith in Israel, in fact he marveled at the faith of a centurion.
It is possible to have great faith, and even to have Jesus commend you, if you simply believe. In the 21st Century with its emphasis on knowledge, technology and celebrity, we might tend to think we must be a well-known biblical scholar to have great faith. Marvelous faith, according to this exchange, is much simpler. Just believe.
The centurion’s simple faith can also be inspiring for those who spend their lives studying the Bible. When getting drowned by details of the Bible or toiling over theological tough spots, it is refreshing to read this interaction and see that the centurion simply believed. In the end that’s all that matters.
The centurion’s story is a beautiful example of simple and honest faith. Jesus marveled at it. We don’t know the rest of his story, but I hope this encounter with Jesus was a spark that led him to learn more about God’s son. Faith is never intended to be static.
We too have all that we need to know Jesus, and therefore to show marvelous faith. Simple belief, just taking Jesus at his Word, is commendable.
Would Jesus commend your faith? You might be surprised to find that he would.
This post is featured on the blog of Unlocking the Bible. I encourage you to check out Unlocking the Bible for many excellent resources.
Connecting Dots...to God 
Another great post, Judy. Thank you for a beautiful reminder. It’s really very simple, isn’t it? Just believe. Why do we make it so messy? Or I should say, why do I make it so messy!?
Good stuff as usual. Thanks.
It is always so very encouraging when God shows up in our lives, isn’t it? It makes me wonder why I so easily doubt. You are absolutely right, he sees our needs even better than we do. When we learn to trust his vision and our place in it we have an opportunity to grow in commendable faith. May it be so! Have a blessed day, Helen!
I always love your post. I was challenged this past week by my questioning how do I get thru January with a better attitude. Someone asked me did I not think God was with me during that month no different than the warm months? I think my faith was a little low. God showed up tremendously to show me how real he is and how he sees my needs!