No Greater Faith

March 21

(Luke 7:9 NIV) ““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.””

(Matthew 15:21-28 NIV) ““Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. {22} A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.” {23} Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” {24} He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” {25} The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. {26} He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” {27} “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” {28} Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.””

When Jesus declared that a Roman Centurion had greater faith than anyone in Israel, His disciples were likely shaken. How could any faithful Jew believe that a Gentile enemy was a man of faith? Then Jesus openly endorsed the Centurion’s faith with a demonstration of miraculous power. From a distance, with no physical touch, Christ spoke the word, and the Centurion’s servant was healed. He didn’t go to the house -- He didn’t lay hands on the servant and speak some mumbo-jumbo incantation over him. He just spoke the word and it was done. It really all boils down to God’s word. He speaks words of creation, salvation, deliverance, and healing. He also speaks the word that calls us home to the other side. He will utter that word and we will take our final breath. This is the power of God. This is the authority of Christ. Jesus is Lord. Are you ready for that word? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day