PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Luke 7:1-10
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” (Luke 7:9)
The church is a place where we expect many people have great faith.
And yet, as an ‘insider’, I know this is not always true.
I’m not sure why, but I find sceptics and doubters in church too.
I’ve also learned that there is great faith outside the church.
Great faith, like the centurion, not based on doctrine but on trust.
This centurion did not know who Jesus was, or what he represented.
He was an ‘outsider’, he was a pagan – granted, a good one!
In my ‘Crossroads’ years, I met many people like this.
Their understanding of Jesus was limited, but their simple trust was not.
Its OK to struggle, but we need to be honest about that struggle.
And don’t look down on ‘outsiders’, we can learn from them too.
Jesus is God’s only way of salvation, but the churched are not the only saved.
Jesus has sheep that are not from our flock, he loves them too (John 10:16).
We may one day be shocked that they had greater faith than we did!
PRAYER
Lord, thank You for showing me that Your family is bigger than my group. And thank You for reminding me to look to others for examples of great faith!
Deserving – am I deserving? No. I don’t deserve to be healed of my sin – that which separates me from God. But instead I’ve found grace. Jesus responded to the centurion’s faith by healing his servant. The centurion was an outsider – yet even the people appreciated him and vouched for him. But the centurion admits, he doesn’t deserve Jesus’ healing for his servant. I don’t deserve the forgiveness Jesus won for me on the cross – yet I can claim it by faith in Him. Lord Jesus, help me to be gracious to others – not requiring that anyone deserves my grace – but to freely give it. Help my HS to give!
Going against the flow. The centurion did not think was his friends would say. He already was different by how he treated his slave. Against all odds he acted upon his faith and stood out from the crowd. Standing up for Jesus. Not afraid to exercise his faith. Putting faith into practice by serving others and thereby showing the love of God.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
Ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high his royal banner,
It must not suffer loss.
From victory unto victory
His army shall he lead,
Till every foe is vanquished,
And Christ is Lord indeed.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
Stand in his strength alone;
The arm of flesh will fail you,
Ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the gospel armor,
Each piece put on with prayer;
Where duty calls or danger,
Be never wanting there.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
The strife will not be long;
This day the noise of battle,
The next the victor’s song.
To those who vanquish evil
A crown of life shall be;
They with the King of Glory
Shall reign eternally.