SUCH GREAT FAITH, Ron Ward
AN EXAMPLE OF GREAT FAITH
Passage: Luke 7:1~10  
Key verse: 9
The Faith of the Centurion(A)
7 When Jesus had finished saying all this(B) to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. 2 There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. 3 The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” 6 So Jesus went with them.
He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed.(C) 8 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” 10 Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source:  BibleGateway
1. A centurion sends for Jesus (1-6a)
A certain centurion lived in Capernaum. He was a high-ranking soldier in the army and most probably a Gentile. This centurion had a servant whom he highly valued and who was also near death. The centurion asked for Jesus to come and heal his servant. He was so highly respected in the town that the Jewish elders interceded on his behalf. Is there someone whom you can bring to Jesus?
2. The centurion's great faith (6b-10)
Jesus was on his way to the centurion's home. Then the centurion sent friends to tell him not to trouble himself. He believed that if Jesus simply said the word, his servant would be healed. As a military officer, the centurion understood authority. Those under his charge did whatever he told them to do. He believed Jesus possessed even greater authority - authority over sickness. Jesus commented that he had not seen such great faith anywhere in Israel. The servant was healed.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, you possess all authority over all things. Please grow my faith in you.
One Word: 'But say the word....'