Luke 7:1 When Yeshua had finished speaking to the people, he went back to K’far-Nachum. 2 A Roman army officer there had a servant he regarded highly, who was sick to the point of death. 3 Hearing about Yeshua, the officer sent some Jewish elders to him with the request that he come and heal his servant. 4 They came to Yeshua and pleaded earnestly with him, “He really deserves to have you do this, 5 for he loves our people — in fact, he built the synagogue for us!” 6 So Yeshua went with them. He had not gone far from the house, when the officer sent friends who said to him, “Sir, don’t trouble yourself. I’m not worthy to have you come under my roof — 7 this is why I didn’t presume to approach you myself. Instead, just give a command and let my servant recover. 8 For I too am a man set under authority. I have soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.” 9 Yeshua was astonished at him when he heard this; and he turned and said to the crowd following him, “I tell you, not even in Isra’el have I found such trust!” 10 When the messengers got back to the officer’s house, they found the servant in good health.[Complete Jewish Bible]
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"I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith."(Luke 7:9)
If ever we hear a word of commendation over an aspect of life under our control, it is likely a word of praise that we will long remember. Personally, I will never forget Bob who said to me: "Pastor, you are the best preacher I have ever heard." Am I likely to ever forget such a compliment? Not likely! However, as nice a word as that was to hear, it pales in comparison to the commendation Jesus offers the centurion. "Not even in all of Israel have I found such faith!"
All of us can probably think of individuals who would make it onto a list of members who are "most faithful" in demonstrating great faith. Frequently those on such a list would be long time members with years and years of faith-filled service. As I think of such a listing, at the top of my list would stand the name of a new believer, one who experienced loss, sought out a place for worship and study, and, when told of the promises in scripture, took them deep into her being.
Lord Jesus, you hear the cries of many a heart. We ask on this day that you hear us, whether our cry is from the depths or from the heights. As we cry out may it be out of a conviction that leads you to commend us as possessors of faith. Amen.
Chris Quello
Retired
Master of Divinity, 1966
Luke 7:1 After Jesus had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum.
2 A centurion there had a slave whom he valued highly, and who was ill and close to death.
3 When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave.
4 When they came to Jesus, they appealed to him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy of having you do this for him,
5 for he loves our people, and it is he who built our synagogue for us."
6 And Jesus went with them, but when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, "Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof;
7 therefore I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed.
8 For I also am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, "Go,' and he goes, and to another, "Come,' and he comes, and to my slave, "Do this,' and the slave does it."
9 When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, he said, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith."
10 When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.[New Revised Standard Version]
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