SCRIPTURE: Matthew 8
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel! [Matthew 8:10] In this chapter we see faith in action. We also see grace where there is no faith is evident. And we see the lack of faith. Perhaps it is better to speak of confidence (which has the latin word for faith ‘fide’ built into it). A confidence in the person and power of this Jesus.
The paralyzed man, the Roman officer, and the people coming to Jesus for healing demonstrate their confidence that He was able to heal them.
We don’t know if those brought to Jesus for healing had confidence in Him. But the demon-possessed did not trust Him. In fact they screamed at Him. But maybe they screamed because they were confident that He could defeat them. Maybe it was the demons ‘faith’ that made them scream (they tremble in terror because they believe, James 2:19).
And the disciples demonstrate lack of faith, when the storm gets bigger in their minds that God and His Messiah. Did they think that a storm could defeat God’s plan, and overcome His Messiah? And also the citizens of the town near where Jesus healed the demon-possessed men. They were more impressed by the demonic pig catastrophe than the remarkable healing of the demon-possessed men. And they didn’t trust Jesus.
Jesus also challenges the faith of those who want to follow Him, suggesting that they are not ready for that kind of commitment. Is their confidence such that they can put up with the inconvenience and discomfort of following Him? Is their confidence such that they are even willing to put Him before their families or friends?
Reading these accounts of Jesus’ power and peoples’ varying responses of faith, I find myself asking, am I confident in Jesus? As I think this through, I recall that the devil will do what he can to discourage or frighten me from putting this kind of confidence in Jesus. The devil magnifies my fears (the storm, the pigs) so that my faith is dwarfed in comparison.
Is Jesus amazed at my faith, or disappointed?
PRAYER:
Lord, I know my faith is weak. I feel it. I am more led by selfish ambition, and held back by fear. Help me grow more confident in You.
Where I am as a Christ follower?
Many came to Jesus, and the reason was? The man with leprosy was made clean on the outside.as well as the centurion’s servant. It is what is on the inside that counts as the centurion’s faith. Peter’s mother-in-law was healed and she began to serve Him. Many more came to be healed and they were or were they? The be a Jesus follower is a heart commitment. One needs to leave all and follow him. The cost of discipleship will not make an excuse. They will not flee after their selfish desires. They will weather all, even the storms they encounter in their service because their Saviour is with them always and He will quiet their fears. Trust and obey.
Help me this day to follow you. Lead me and guide me by Your Spirit. Use me for your purpose O Lord and my I have singleness of heart to do your will. TGIF.
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Refrain
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies