Luke 7:1-10   1 When Jesus had finished saying all this in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. 2 There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. 3 The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” 6 So Jesus went with them.  He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” 10 Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.

I would guess that at some point just about every pastor has heard someone say to him, “You must have a great faith!” I’ve had people say that to me on several occasions. When I asked why, they replied, “Because you are a pastor!” While I am sure they meant that as a compliment, I can remember thinking that they sure weren’t looking at things through my eyes. I know my doubts, my weaknesses, my failings. I can recall all the examples of great faith I have seen when ministering to other people. I have seen those who have endured so much, yet they remain steadfast to their Savior. I have marveled at and been humbled by the faith of so many others I have met.

In the reading above we find our Lord Himself admiring the faith of a man. The thing that makes this especially notable is that this man was not one of God’s chosen people, not a descendant of Abraham, not part of the Jewish nation. And Jesus makes sure that everyone knew that He knew this man was not a Jew: “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” The important thing was not his heritage. The important thing was his faith.  When God looks at you, does He marvel at your faith, or is He astounded by your lack of faith?

Just this morning I watched a video of the father of three of the boys from Tomball, Texas who were killed, along with their cousin and grandfather, by that escaped convict. He was speaking at the memorial service for his sons, father and nephew. In the face of an incomprehensible tragedy, he spoke of his grief and his pain, but also his certainty that his boys were with their Lord because of their faith in Jesus as Savior. The father said the pain was real and would not go away, but insisted that their family would be fine because of their faith in the God who saves.

That is a man of faith. He and his family have heard the promises of God and taken them to heart. That does not mean their lives will be free of trouble. No life is. But it means they have a peace that passes the understanding of this world in the face of overwhelming, and heartbreak in this life. They have that because they know that Jesus lived, suffered, died and rose again so that they could have the certainty of forgiveness, life, salvation and His presence with them every step of the way.

I’m going to spend several days reflecting on this passage and the faith Jesus encountered here.