Faith in Christ

Jesus was entering the city of Capernaum, where much of his ministry took place, when a Centurion’s messenger approached.  But the Centurion was not just your ordinary Centurion, this one was truly inspiring.  He had faith that Jesus was the healer without even it being done before his eyes!   You seem when the faith-filled Centurion heard Jesus was coming, he sent his messenger with a message pleading for his servant’s health.  The Servant had a sickness and was not doing very well. The Centurion, in his message, explained that he was unworthy to have Jesus under his own roof, much less to see him, but he was a man of noteworthy authority in the area. He was a man of power, yet he believed Jesus could heal his servant without even coming into his home because he, The Centurion, was unworthy!  This man was also realizing, though, that because of his strong faith in Christ he had power to DO things!  This is a quality many Christians lack today.  His faith was so radiant and true that Jesus promptly healed the servant, who was not even on the scene! Jesus marveled out-loud, he had not seen faith like this special Centurion’s in all the land!  Jesus also proclaimed that this man’s extraordinary faith had made his servant healed.  What a great God!  Jesus went on to say that this Centurion, because of his belief in the power of God, would have a place amongst Abraham and Jacob’s table in heaven. When our faith is true, as the man of authorities was, God moves!

          One day Jesus had been giving another one of his radical sermons. When He was finished, he had his disciples get into a boat and go on ahead, instead of waiting for Jesus.  Jesus had his disciples go, because he was dismissing the crowd and afterwards he was going off to pray with no distractions. But maybe there’s more of a reason as to why he had them go on ahead.  So the disciples left, just as their master had told them to.  Long after they’d been going, a fierce storm arose, batting at the disciples’ ride. They were naturally, though not rightly, terrified.  This storm would surely destroy them and the boat. No wonder they were fearful!  But Jesus saw this opportunity as a way to test them.  Soon after the storm began, the disciples looked and saw Jesus walking towards their boat.  Their rabbi was walking on water!  How astounding! So Peter, out of the faith that had risen in him because of Jesus, stepped out and walked water, now knowing this wasn’t some kind of a trick.  But soon, Peter began to doubt again and began sinking.  His faith is what had kept him walking towards Jesus.  Jesus lifted Peter and explained this to Him. He also took the opportunity to rebuke Peter for his little faith, sharpen him, and, I believe, to show that this Jesus was truly the Son of God.  People worshipped and were in awe of what God had done. So you see, our faith and perspective are vital to living this life of following Christ.

          Jesus was once again surrounded by a large crowd of people, which we see several times in the detailed Gospels. One of the women in the crowd, a poor woman who was generally looked down upon, had been suffering terribly for 12 years.  Imagine, twelve years of horrid sickness!  She’d become poor trying to cure her hemorrhage; this woman been living in a state of utter desperation.  She’d heard much about this Jesus, and came up to Him and touched his garment. This faith-filled woman had done it, because she believed simply touching the garments of Him would heal her.  But Jesus immediately perceived it, because He is God.  So He asked who had touched Him.  His disciples thought this was a foolish thing to ask, since he was probably bumped by a passer-byer, due to the many people.  But Jesus knew.  The woman, sobbing fell at Jesus’s feet saying it was her and explained her miserable condition.  This was a woman who believed and had faith in Jesus. And this, said the Lord, is why she was healed. He then told her that and also that she could go in peace and be well again! Once again, the power of strong faith, In Christ, had saved the day!