This story is amazing because it is one of the two times Jesus was "amazed". (v. 9) The other place is in Mark 6 but there he was amazed at the lack of faith. It seems as you study the gospel the only thing that amazes God is faith!
What made the Centurions faith so impressive was the fact that he wasn't even Jewish, he didn't need Jesus presence - he has just heard of God's power, compassion for a servant and probably most importantly he understood spiritual authority.
It is amazing when you think of a centurion - a man over 100 even cared for a servant. He didn't turned to his Roman Gods but the one true God. Didn't question, didn't need a sign, showed no doubt and displayed incredible humility "did not consider myself worthy to come to you".
questions
1) what about your faith would amaze God? What incredible step of faith have you taken lately?
2) how could you increase your faith?
3) God's answer to our problems always require faith and humility. Many times as I counsel people I see that they want answers but God has already told them what to do - they just don't want to humble themselves and step in faith. What answer have you been looking for? What answer might God have already given that will require faith and humility?
prayer
Father you have proven yourself trustworthy. Increase our faith. Give us new challenges, assignments, stretch our faith. Lord we want to amaze you by our faithfulness. Lord remove our fear and give us a spirit of power, love and sound mind!
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