"Marvelous Faith" (Matthew 8:5-13)

Unexpected Faith (Vs.5-6)

Gentile Believer

Did not grown up learning the things of Judaism

The Psalms and history of their people, etc.

The Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4 ““Hear, O Israel! Yahweh is our God, Yahweh is one!”)

Not a descendant of Abraham

Not one of the promised “stars” who would inherit all the promises of God.

Polytheistic Pagan

Believed in many gods

There were about 80 different gods in the Roman pantheon, 10 that were considered to be the most important and powerful

Designed around characteristics of man meaning they enjoyed the same pleasures as mankind

Considered the Jews to be atheistic.

Called Yahweh, the invisible God of the Jews.

The Jews believe in a monotheistic religion, (The Shema) denying the existence of any other gods

Oppressor of the Jews

The Romans considered themselves to be superior to the Jews

Their gods gave them dominion over the Jewish people (God punished the disobedience of the Israelites by handing them over to the Romans)

Romans viewed them as vermin, lower than dogs.

They were cruel to the Israelites

Romans took away the autonomy of the Jewish people

Took many to be slaves and forced many to be spectacles in their games and found amusement in their death

Prohibited certain religious practices like public teaching of the Torah and circumcision.

Marvelous Faith (Vs.7-10)

A Great Faith

The fact that it was so unexpected makes it so marvelous

Christ said to him, “I will come and heal him.”

Luke mentions that this centurion was not like most centurions (Luke 7)

He is more humble and compassionate toward the Jews and worthy to have Christ help him in his trouble for he helped build their synagogue

But humility and compassion and good works is not enough, it takes a great faith. (Ephesians 2)

Jesus even says that his faith is a great faith

Recognizes the authority of Jesus. “Kyrie”

Over the torment of his servant

Over his own feelings of supremacy

Pleads with Him (Vs.5)

Not “good enough” to have Jesus in his home. (Vs.8)

Over his own gods

No doubt the centurion had idols in his home

Jesus did not even need to be there to exercise His authority

Christ Marveled at his Faith

Christ was amazed, in wonder; astonished at the faith of this centurion Roman soldier

Caught of guard. Truly unexpected.

Not that such faith seemed impossible to Christ

What was marvelous about the faith was where it was found

Many asked for healing but not like this

Many had the faith of a mustard seed which is very powerful (Matthew 17:20)

This man had a greater faith; A marvelous faith found in a Roman soldier.

Not Seen in Israel

Not found in any of the children of Abraham

Who had the Law and the Prophets and were familiar with the faithfulness of God

Who had the promise and the inheritance of faith from Abraham

Not found even in those who had been walking with Him

His disciples did not even has such great faith.

This faith does not come with study and good works, it is a gift from God for those who trust in Him absolutely.

Acceptable Faith (Vs.11-13)

Welcome at the Table (v.11)

Jewish Prophecies

Isaiah 25:6 “And Yahweh of hosts will prepare a lavish banquet for all peoples on this mountain; A banquet of aged wine, choice pieces with marrow, And refined, aged wine.”

Zechariah 14:16 “Then it will be that any who are left of all the nations that went against Jerusalem will go up from year to year to worship the King, Yahweh of hosts, and to celebrate the Feast of Booths.”

Prophecy of the Apostle John

Revelation 19:9 “Then he said to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’” And he said to me, “These are true words of God.””

Life of Jesus

Those who reclined at the table with Him

He told the parable of the banquet. (Luke 14:15-24)

Luke 14:15 “But when one of those who were reclining at the table with Him heard this, he said to Him, “Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!””

Luke 14:23–24 ““And the master said to the slave, ‘Go out into the highways and along the fences, and compel them to come in, so that my house may be filled. ‘For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste of my dinner.’”

Saves from Hell (v.12)

Those without acceptable faith will not be invited to the table but rather cast into hell

Outer darkness

Weeping and gnashing of teeth (Most used expression by our Lord, of what hell is like; Used 7 times throughout the Gospels)

It is faith alone that saves us from hell, the place prepared for Satan and his angels. (Matthew 25:41)

This is salvation; This is what Jesus offers.

As in the prophecy of Isaiah 25, Yahweh will establish a banquet/feast for His people after He “...swallow up death for all time,” (Isaiah 25:8)

Hell is the antithesis of the banquet prepared for those with acceptable faith.

He is Faithful (v.13)

He will never allow our faith in Him to be in vain. (Your faith has made you well)

Jesus heals the 10 lepers and one returns with gratitude.

Jesus heals a blind man and returns to him his sight

Jesus heals a woman who had suffered for 12 years

Here again, He is faithful to the faith of the centurion

“...as you have believed.” “It shall be done for you...”

The servant was healed that very moment. Just as Jesus said, according to the belief of the gentile, Roman centurion.

Nobody is proven faithful like God

Nobody is proven faithful like Christ

Have faith in God. Marvelous faith.