Amazing Jesus
July 27th, 2008There are two times in the New Testament where Jesus is “amazed” in regard to the faith of certain individuals. In Luke 7.9 Jesus expresses his amazement at the faith of a Roman Centurion who believed that Jesus could heal his slave. The religious leaders in Israel should have recognized Jesus as the Messiah and should have had faith in him. Instead, many opposed and rejected him. Yet, this Gentile invader believed what he had seen and heard about Jesus. Jesus rewarded his faith and healed his servant.
One Sabbath, Jesus and his disciples went to his hometown synagogue. Here he teaches and is met with doubt. Because of the peoples’ lack of faith, he does not perform many miracles in his town. These people should have known him. They should have known him not only from the scriptures but also from his time he had spent with them Yet, these people doubted him to the point that he was “amazed” at their unbelief (Mark 6.6).
On the one hand we have a “believing unbeliever”. On the other hand, we have “unbelieving believers.” With whom do we identify more? Are we like the Jews who should have known better and practiced faith in the presence of the Messiah? Or, are we more like the Roman who exercised the level of faith he had? He could not quote great portions of the Torah. He was an outsider, yet he believed.
Would Jesus say that our faith – or that lack of faith amazes him? Even faith the size of a mustard seed can be productive when it is exercised. God has promised, believe and do.
Keep The Light Burning!
Perry Greene
