When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel! Matthew 8:10

Jesus was God.  He was also man.  Yet, perhaps like me, you find it hard to imagine Him experiencing human emotions just like we do.  The Bible tells us that He cried (John 11:33), He was angry (Matthew 23:33) and He felt compassion (Matthew 9:20-22).  But are you familiar with the time that Jesus was amazed?

Jesus had been among the people, healing and teaching with authority when a Roman centurion came to him asking for help for his servant who lay at home, paralyzed and suffering terribly.

Unlike the religious people of the day, the crowds that Jesus had been speaking to had recognized a difference in Jesus, Scripture says, “because he taught as one who had authority and not as their teachers of the law” (Matthew 7:25).  Likewise, this military man understood authority and he recognized that Jesus had it! When Jesus asked him, “Shall I come and heal [your servant]?” (Matthew 8:7) the man responded, “Just say the word and my servant will be healed” (8:8). “When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, ‘Truly I tell you I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith” (8:10). The result?  His servant was healed at that moment.

Don’t you long to have amazing faith like this?  This faith is convinced of who Jesus is. This faith means that a simple prayer ends worry and concern over any issue in my life. Jesus, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24).  Grow amazing faith in me, I pray today.

 

Resource reading: Matthew 8:5-13