Minister 's Letter - July / August 2008
Dear Friends,
Jesus heals the centurion's servant (Luke 7:1-10)
There are countless acts of faith recorded in the New Testament and many are familiar to us. But this account contains some unusual elements that are worth looking into. Here we have one of only two examples in the New Testament where Jesus is quoted as being surprised. Interestingly, both are related to the question of faith.
In this passage, we find Jesus healing the centurion's servant without even seeing him and, apparently and unusually, without using any words of healing either. The extent of the faith of this Gentile soldier was such that it even surprised Jesus.
So, was this man more deserving of special treatment than others? Certainly he is recorded as being fond of his servant, of being helpful to the Jews, and being rich and generous enough to build them a synagogue. But surely these qualities on their own do not justify special treatment?
It seems clear from the text that it was his remarkable faith that created the special conditions.
The other example of Jesus' surprise (Mark 6:6) is quite the reverse. There, through the lack of faith of the people, Jesus was "not able to perform any miracles there".
What a light this casts on the effect our faith can have! Great faith like the centurion's means miracles can happen. A lack of faith, like that of the people of Nazareth, means that even Jesus chose to limit himself.
How vital it is to keep our faith strong and to support each other in adversity.
In Christ,
Christopher White
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