Introduction
• Last week we looked at the compassion a Christian ought to have.
• Jesus showed it to us in the life of a Samaritan.
• Today, in looking at a faith that caused Jesus to marvel, it is not in a Jewish preacher, or teacher. It is not in one of his disciples. It is in a real, live, centurion, possibly of Syrian descent but surely not a Jew.
• In this passage we will be challenged to look at our own faith. Like the Jews, we have God's Holy Word. We have access to more religious material than the continent of Africa. There are more Christian teachers, preachers, evangelists, and writers in America than anywhere else in the world.
• Yet, worship of God is plummeting in attendance. Our religious freedom is under attack as never before and seemingly few Christians are standing up.
• Nonchristians are more passionate about standing up for the rights of men to use women's bathrooms than we Christians seem to be to stand up for God!
• What is it going to take to turn this ship around? How about God's people exercising a faith that would cause Jesus to marvel?
Read the Scripture
1. Focused on Jesus. Verses 5-6
• Jesus comes to Capernaum, a town out of which much of his ministry would come.
• Centurion - commander of a hundred men, though thought to be ore like 80-100 by Jesus day. Hated by the Jews for occupying their Promised Land. But when the Messiah comes, he will drive out the unclean Bruts and reestablish the throne of David and Israel will rule the world forever and ever.
• Jesus did come to establish the kingdom of God, just not the way the Jews expected.
• This Centurion came to Jesus making an appeal. A plea. We would call it a prayer request.
• Word “Lord” probably little more than Sir in our language, yet he recognizes Jesus as having the ability to heal. Matthew 4 tells us
• “And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, epileptics, and paralytics, and he healed them. And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.” Matthew 4:23-25 ESV
• So, the Centurion at least knew of Jesus' reputation as a healer. (Remember, he may well have been a Syrian)
• He came to Jesus, not the disciples. To Jesus, not the Jewish priests or teachers. To Jesus, not one of his own culture's religious leaders.
• Faith that marvels Jesus is focused on Him.
• Jesus is not just the path to eternal life.
• He is the focus, the center, the end game of our faith. If our faith is just religious fire insurance, the policy is null and void.
• He must be the total focus of our faith. Like this praise song says you are my all in all.. Let's listen
• Play from YouTube
1. Focused on Jesus. Verses 5-6
2. Filled with humility. Verses 7-9
• The Centurion does not request a healing. He states the fact of the condition of his servant, possibly his son - Greek word can mean either.
• Jesus tells the Centurion, I will come and heal him. Jesus is ready to minister to this man and his family. The appeal was faith enough for Jesus.
• The Centurion's response - filled with humility. I am not worthy. . .
• Jesus was willing to be declared unclean by entering this Gentile's house. Interesting that Jesus was often caught hanging out with the unclean crowd! Lepers, the dead, tax collectors, prostitutes. . . They all needed him. They believed He was who He said He was!
• I am not worthy. . . Here is a man with all kinds of authority, yet recognized his position in relation spiritually to the position of Christ.
• Now his faith is fully demonstrated as he says to Jesus - only say the word. . .
1. Focused on Jesus. Verses 5-6
2. Filled with humility. Verses 7-9
3. Found in anyone. Verses 10-12
• Jesus marveled at this man's faith.
• Jesus turns to the crowd, an overwhelmingly Jewish crowd probably with a few Scribes and Pharisees. Not specifically identified here by Matthew.
• He addresses them, truly, I tell you. . . (Verse 10)
• Second, Jesus now tells this crowd that the kingdom of God will be made up of people from all around the world.
• You have heard the story of the men arriving at heaven's gate at the same time:
A man arrived at the gates of Heaven.
St. Peter asked the first of the three, “Religion?”
The man said, “Methodist.”
St. Peter looked down his list and said,” Go to Room 24, but be very quiet as you pass Room 8.”
Second man approaches St. Peter.
“Religion?”, St Peter asks.
“Catholic.”
“Go to Room 18, but be very quiet as you pass Room 8.”
The third man approaches St. Peter.
“Religion?”
“Jewish.”
“Go to Room 11 but be very quiet as you pass Room 8.”
The third man said, “I can understand there being different rooms for different religions, but why must I be quiet when I pass Room 8?”
St. Peter told him, “Well, the Baptists are in Room 8, and they think they’re the only ones here.” (Found through Google search and modified as the joke as found did not make sense)
• Truth is the Jews thought they were the only ones entering the kingdom of God.
• What a shock when Jesus says, (verse 11) I tell you the truth. . .
• Even bigger shock is the truth (verse 12) while the sons of the kingdom . . .
• F. D. Bruner, writer of the book, The Christbook, puts it this way
• Hell is not a doctrine used to frighten unbelievers, it is a doctrine used to warn those who think themselves believers.
• Two times Jesus marveled about faith. Here and one other time, found in Mark 6:1-6
Mark 6:1–6 (ESV)
Jesus Rejected at Nazareth
6 He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. 2 And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. 4 And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” 5 And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6 And he marveled because of their unbelief.
And he went about among the villages teaching.
• Here in Mark, He marveled at their inbelief, or lack of faith!
• If Jesus were to marvel at you, is it because of your faith, or your lack of faith?
1. Focused on Jesus. Verses 5-6
2. Filled with humility. Verses 7-9
3. Found in anyone. Verses 10-12
4. Favored by God. Verse 13
• After addressing the crowd, Jesus turns to the Centurion
• Jesus did what he had never done before this time, He healed from a distance.
• He granted what the centurion desired, what he believed Jesus could do. Servant or son was healed because Jesus wanted to do that, from the start.
• Jesus at the same time, honored or favored the faith of the centurion.
• “As you have believed.” – A mystery will always remain in how God can accomplish His will no matter our level of faith or obedience and yet respond to our faith as a condition for favoring us with a desired answer in prayer.
• Without faith, we cannot have, enjoy, or be a part of any of the blessings of the kingdom of God.
Invitation
Before I pray, let me ask you about your faith? Does it marvel Jesus? Is it a faith focused on Him, filled with humility, found in you, and favored by God? Or is your faith like that of the devils who believe and tremble but are not saved as they believe about God and not in God for salvation? Do you have a marvelous faith, a devilish faith, or are spiritually more challenged than demons and believe no God exist? If you feel God moving through His Spirit calling you to repentance and confession of your sins, please respond to God in prayer now. Tell Him you are sorry for your sins. Tell Him you would like His forgiveness. Tell Him you believe He loves you and sent His Son to pay the penalty for your sins. And commit to obey Him, by faith, as you accept Jesus not only as Savior but as Lord of your life. And you will be saved by mercy and grace through a marvelous faith you will express to Him.
