The Man That Amazed Jesus

A lot of people were "amazed by Jesus" but this man "amazed Jesus."

Matthew 8:8-10  But the officer said, "Lord, I am not worthy to have You come into my home. Just say the word from where You are, and my servant will be healed.  9  I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, 'Go,' and they go, or 'Come,' and they come. And if I say to my slaves, 'Do this,' they do it." 

10  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! 

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Jesus ministry was just getting started and he had already created quite a stir. Jesus preached a long sermon that didn't put anybody to sleep, the Sermon on the Mount probably lasted for quite a while yet it seems that nobody complained, any preacher would love to have that happen. (Matthew 5:1 - 7:29) Instead of being mad that he took so much time, the crowd was amazed at what he said, there were plenty of rabbis and religious leaders in town that were good enough to attract some followers but none of them taught like Jesus. (Matthew 7:28-29)

After Jesus finished his amazing sermon he did some amazing things. As he was traveling to Capernaum he met an untouchable leper, instead of staying a safe distance from him, Jesus reached out and touched him, he told the man he was healed and that he needed to obey the law by going to the priest for an inspection and to offer the sacrifices that were required in Leviticus 14:1-20.

After Jesus healed the leper he finished his trip to Capernaum where a Roman centurion asked Jesus to heal one of his servants who was dying. This was an unusual man, Roman military commanders were not known for humility in their request or for their concern about their slaves, this officer was kind and sensitive to the needs of his slave.

Jesus was happy to continue traveling across town to the man's home but the Roman army officer refused to bother Jesus with the extra effort. The centurion told Jesus that as an officer he has the authority to make things happen, he believed that Jesus also had authority to make things happen, he believed that Jesus could speak the word and the healing would take place.

A lot of people were amazed by Jesus. 

The shepherds were amazed by Jesus when they visited his place of birth, John the Baptist was amazed that Jesus asked to be baptized, and in today's scripture the crowds were amazed at his teaching. (Luke 2:15-20, Matthew 3:13-17, Matthew 7:28-29)

It isn't enough to find Jesus amazing, there have been plenty of people that could say that, what will you do about this amazing person? Will you have faith in his promises?

The man that amazed Jesus.

This guy amazed Jesus, wouldn't it be cool to have someone say that about you? This guy deserved to get a t-shirt that says "I amazed Jesus." Jesus saw the incredible faith of this Gentile, he might have been the first Gentile convert, faith that exceeded most of the Jews. Jesus used this opportunity to warn the Jews that many of them wouldn't be a part of God’s kingdom.

If you want to impress Jesus you won't do it with knowledge and it wasn't obedience, the only thing that is recorded in the Bible that amazed Jesus was big faith. Jesus wasn't amazed when people did the right thing and refused to sin and he didn't get excited that somebody kept a long list of rules.

Completely trusting God
Hebrews 10:22-23  Let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting Him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ's blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.  23  Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise.

Imagine if you had amazing faith, imagine how different your outlook on life would be if you had absolute confidence that God was with you and that you could come into his presence. Imagine having complete confidence in God's goodness.

It was a lack of trust that broke the relationship in the garden, Satan got the original couple to doubt God's goodness and whether his intentions were good, God has been working to fix the broken relationship ever since then.

Lord help me to trust you completely, I want to have faith that stands despite life's trials, faith that is amazing to you and to the people that are around me.

RELATED ARTICLES:

Big Obedience Comes From Big Faith (diggingtheword.blogspot.com)
Fluctuating Faith Levels (diggingtheword.blogspot.com)
Leap Of Faith (getmorestrength.org)