Lucas 7

Lucas 7

Hendriksen adds that "To be sure, also in Israel Jesus had found faith (Luke 5:5, 8–11; 6:20–23, 47, 48), but not a combination in one person of a love so affectionate, a considerateness so thoughtful, an insight so penetrating, a humility so outstanding, and a trust so unlimited. In many cases was not what Jesus had found “little faith”?" Lowell Johnson on faith and Jesus - Several times Jesus said to those He had healed from some sickness, “Your faith has made you whole,” but He never describes any other person as having “so great faith.” Three times He rebuked His disciples and said, “O, ye of little faith.” On one occasion the disciples asked Jesus to increase their faith, but several times Jesus had to say to them, “O, faithless and perverse generation.” Only twice did Jesus say He was “amazed” in relation to faith. Once in His own hometown of Nazareth, Jesus was going to teach and heal there, but He could not do any mighty acts there and Mark 6:6 said that He marveled – was amazed – at their unbelief; there faithlessness; their LACK of faith. But He is amazed at the LARGENESS of this man's faith. NET Note on he was amazed at him - Or “pleased with him and amazed.” The expanded translation brings out both Jesus’ sense of wonder at the deep insight of the soldier and the pleasure he had that he could present the man as an example of faith. There are two elements to the faith that Jesus commended: The man’s humility and his sense of Jesus’ authority which recognized that only Jesus’ word, not his physical presence, were required. As Mattoon says "The centurion acknowledged the authority and power of Christ by acknowledging that the Lord need not be present to heal his servant. This was amazing faith because this man did not grow up with the Old Testament scriptures, yet, he had learned the need to depend totally on Jesus' power. He knew, without a doubt, that Jesus could do what seemed impossible. Such faith both astonished and pleased the Lord Jesus. In marveling at his faith, Jesus intimated that we ought to admire great faith, too. He admired it for our benefit, that we might imitate the centurion's faith. Let me ask, "Does your faith and confidence in the Lord amaze Him? Is your faith great or small? How confident are you in the Lord's ability to meet your needs and solve the problems in your life?" Beloved, God wants us to learn to rely upon Him just as this Roman soldier. Realize that every crisis you face is an opportunity to trust in God. Storms may rage in your life like the temper tantrums of a tempestuous sea. Christ, however, has the power and ability to calm your storm, or to help you sail through it. (cf Heb 11:6, Heb 3:12)."(Treasures from the Scriptures)