Praise by God #3—Marvelous Praise

The Centurion said, “Just say the word, and my servant will be healed.” … When Jesus heard this, he marveled and exclaimed, “I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel.” Matthew 8:8–10

During Jesus’ three years of ministry in Israel, he traveled around the country proclaiming the good news that the Kingdom of God was approaching and inviting everyone to pledge allegiance to him. He accompanied this announcement with amazing deeds everywhere he went—he taught authoritatively, healed the sick, cast out demons, made the blind see, made the lame walk, and raised the dead. We marvel appropriately at all he did. But when he finally arrived in his hometown, his neighbors and family were not amazed; they were incredulous. Jesus’ quiet response to their unbelief was amazement, leading to a heartbroken inability to do much for them. But just as he marveled at his relatives’ abject unbelief, he marveled at the audacious and perceptive confidence of a supposed enemy. While performing for standing-room-only crowds of his countrymen, a troop commander from the occupying Roman army approached him and asked for his help. Jesus had rightly expected acceptance from his friends but was astounded and disappointed that they did not welcome his words or respond to his appeals. He had expected animosity from the representative of his countrymen’s enemies. However, he was surprised and pleased with the Centurion’s confident response and praised him for it. Jesus’ reputation deserves at least this kind of response. Therefore, we can expect the same enthusiastic praise when we respond to Jesus with the Centurion’s completely committed confidence.

Sovereign Savior, your authoritative word calms stormy seas and heals across time and space. Speak your marvelous word into my desperate but confident life.