Devotional thoughts for Saturday

Saturday 4. October 2014

Trinity 15 

And Jesus said to the centurion: "I will go and heal your servant." But the centurion replied: "Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter my house, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed." When Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who followed Him: "Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith." (Matthew 7,7-8.10 ESV) 

Here we see the strength of faith. Faith does not need to see in order to believe. Faith believes in God who is able to do all things. The centurion understood this. He was an officer in the Roman army. He received orders from his superiors and he carried them out. He gave orders to his subordinates and they carried them out. That is how things work in the military and in any organization that has an authoritative structure. 

The centurion knew that words have power and authority because of the one issuing them. He knew he was not talking to a mere man. Perhaps he believed Jesus was someone with the power of God to do things. Perhaps he believed that Jesus was a god or the God. Either way, the centurion knew that Jesus' words did what they said because of the man who spoke them. 

This is what faith is. Faith believes that the words and promises spoken by Jesus create what they say they will create. Jesus says He forgives our sins, and we believe that our sins are forgiven. Jesus says that He is the Son of God, and we believe He is the Son of God. Our faith is not really in the words, but our faith is in the One speaking those words. The words are mere an extension of Jesus' power and authority. Faith also knows that Jesus loves us, forgives us and is merciful to us. His words bring comfort and peace. His words promise eternal life to all who believe in Him, and by faith we receive this promise and have it right now as we await its consummation on the last day. 

Prayer: O LORD, grant to Your faithful people pardon and peace so that they may be cleansed from all their sins and serve You with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.  Amen. (H80, Treasury of Daily Prayer)