This chapter contains accounts of Jesus healing, raising a boy from the dead, conversing with John the Baptist’s messengers, and forgiving a ‘sinful woman’ who washed His feet with her tears / hair.
“Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death… [he] heard about Jesus… asking him to come and heal his servant… When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, ‘Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof… But say the word, and let my servant be healed.’ When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, ‘I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.’ ” (v2-3, 6-7, 9 abr)
“And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner… weeping, she began to wet [Jesus’] feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment… And he said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’ ” (v37-38, 50 abr)
Two great accounts of people who had immense / deep faith, and whose testimonies still have impact to this day. Faith like this overcomes shame, fear, and the power of sin (more precisely: our faith in Jesus opens the door for God’s forgiveness which overcomes sin).
If we don’t yet have faith as deep as these people, don’t worry, we can intentionally grow in it. Our faith deepens when we choose to trust God, especially in the difficult times. Let’s not hesitate to trust God / Jesus, the one who has proven His trustworthiness time after time. (If this is a struggle for you, I understand, trust is hard for some of us because we’ve been hurt before. I’ll gladly listen to any who have struggles with trust / faith.)
Father God, our Trustworthy Creator and Steadfast Shelter, You alone are worthy of our faith and devotion. Spirit please help us remain frim in our faith, growing closer to our Lord every day. Jesus thank you for exhibiting faith so great it literally changed human history forever. May we honor, trust and obey You Father, with every word and action, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training