Matthew 8:10: “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.”
The ESV in Matthew 8:10 states Jesus “marveled” at the faith this Centurion had. The NIV says Jesus was “astonished” at the faith this career military officer in the Roman army had. This man was over 100 soldiers who had a servant at home that was paralyzed and was suffering.
The Jews hated the Centurions’ for their unjust treatment and ridicule. Yet this Gentile officer was different, and his genuine faith amazed Jesus! He was a Gentile and yet not afraid to come to Jesus, a Jew. This Centurion’s faith put to shame the dull and inactive religion of many Jewish religious leaders of his day. In Matthew 8:10-12 in the MSG, he is called “ a vanguard.” Matthew tells us Jesus offered to go to his home to heal his servant, but the Centurion’s response to Jesus was that He only needed to speak the word. That he had the faith that his servant would then be healed by Jesus. He didn’t think Jesus had to go there in person. His word was enough for this leader! He understood Jesus’s absolute authority (v. 8-9). Later we see Jesus’ own disciples did not recognize as clearly as this Centurion did about Jesus (v. 26) having complete power and supremacy in His sovereignty and authority over all of creation. Further note – Jesus healed from a distance the Centurion’s servant.
Definition of a vanguard: a position at the forefront of new developments or ideas.
| Synonyms: | Forefront leader, trailblazers, trendsetters, innovators, advance guard, spearhead leader. |
Matthew 8:10-12 MSG says: “Taken aback, Jesus said, “I’ve yet to come across this kind of simple trust in Israel, the very people who are supposed to know all about God and how he works. This man is the vanguard of many outsiders who will soon be coming from all directions – streaming in from the east, pouring in from the west, sitting down at God’s kingdom banquet alongside Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Then those who grew up ‘in the faith’ but had no faith will find themselves out in the cold, outsiders to grace and wondering what happened.”
Why do we need signs so often, of knowing God’s will or in seeing a prayer request answered? Why do we limit God in our mindset and lack of faith? We need to put our faith into action.
God wants to reach all people, and His message is for everyone. We need to cut through religious slogans and clichés and live out our faith vigorously. I want to be a vanguard for Jesus in my faith in Him, how about you?
“Faith isn’t the ability to believe far and long into the misty future. It’s simply taking God at His Word, and taking the next step.” Joni Erickson Tada.
Listen to King & Country “Busted Heart (Hold Onto Me)” Lyrics YouTube.