8 “For I also am a man placed under authority, with 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 Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled at him, and turned and said to the crowd that was following Him, “I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith.” Luke 7:1-9. (Emphasis added.)
I have previously written about how this faith of the centurion can gives us faith in the fulfillment of the Great Commission: ”Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15. The centurion recognized that Jesus had authority. “… just say the word, and my servant will be healed. “For I also am a man placed under authority, with 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.” Luke 7:7-8. Likewise, when Jesus commands His disciples to preach the gospel to every creature, it will be done! Click here: The Great Commission : “I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, …” « Reformed Doctrine Blog
Today, we go beyond the truth of God’s sovereignty to a study of how this demonstration of faith in God’s sovereignty pleases God. Here, in verse 9, Jesus exclaims: “I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith.”
The importance of this Scripture goes way beyond Jesus healing another person. Jesus healed many. I have not even included the healing in verse 10 because of such fact. The healing is almost a presumption, an afterthought.
Jesus focuses on the faith of the centurion, and we should too.
Let us examine two parts of this faith.
First, such a faith pleases God.
Hebrews 11:6
“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”
“In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;” 1 Peter 1:6-7.
Second, such a faith proclaims the sovereignty of God.
The centurion proclaimed the sovereignty of God: “… just say the word, and my servant will be healed. “For I also am a man placed under authority, with 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.” Luke 7:7-8.
Abraham proclaimed the sovereignty of God. “Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform. Therefore IT WAS ALSO CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Romans 4:19-22. (Emphasis is also added.)
When you, Reformed folk, preach and teach TULIP, you too proclaim the sovereignty of God and demonstrate your faith and please God. Thank you.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 