The Day Jesus Was Amazed

Introduction

Amazement is a word used to describe someone who discovers something which affects perspective. Standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon causes amazement. The astronauts so long ago who were able to see the earth from the perspective of the moon were amazed. You have been amazed at some point in your life. It might have been amazement produced by watching someone else or some thing. Whatever amazed you not only held your attention but for a time altered the way you thought about things.

What do you think amazes God? Is it possible for God to be amazed? Part of the difficulty with that question is that our understanding about God is limited. God created everything; he put all things into motion. For some the very question might suggest that God is caught off guard by something which amazes him. But that is to see things from a human perspective. Some might think that since God made everything and set everything into motion that he is devoid of any emotion like amazement. But to think of God as being without emotion is to have an erroneous view of God.

Can God be amazed? We are going to look at a text today in which Jesus is amazed. God in the flesh sees the faith of someone and he is amazed. We wouldn’t know that unless told. What scripture reveals to us is that God is neither without emotion nor caught off guard. Scripture reveals that our God interacts with his creation and in that interaction we need to see things from God’s point of view rather than our own. But from our perspective God is amazing. And we come today to once again catch a glimpse of the amazing God.

Real Faith

Jesus has completed his teaching and heads into Capernaum. A centurion hears that Jesus is in the area and sends a group of Jewish leaders to ask for Jesus’ help. Many centurions were mercenaries. Hired by Rome to oversee 100 men, the centurion was extremely loyal to Rome but have in many cases proven themselves in battle. They were well paid for their work and in this region, the centurion’s job was to keep the peace. In this case, the centurion not only kept the peace but had become well liked among the people. As we are told, he had helped pay for the building of the synagogue. The fact that he sent the Jewish leaders to speak to Jesus on his behalf demonstrates that this Gentile had a good relationship with the people. From all indications this centurion was an extremely likeable man.

The centurion has a servant. This servant is very ill and close to death. The centurion cares for his servant friend and asks the Jewish leaders to speak to Jesus on his behalf. The centurion believes that Jesus can heal the servant. But he understands enough of Jewish custom to know that Jesus who is Jewish may be more inclined to listen to the request of Jewish leaders rather than a Gentile.

The request is not only made but reasons for Jesus to heal are also given. This centurion is well respected. His good deeds for the people are well known. If anyone deserves Jesus’ attention it would this centurion. The healing of the servant is because of the centurion’s reputation. The Jewish leaders want the centurion to have his request granted because he is such a good man. The ill servant takes a back seat in this story. Our focus is on the centurion. The text tells us that Jesus is almost to the centurion house when a second group of arrives with a message from the centurion. The message is very clear. I am not worthy for you to come to me. All you need to do is speak the word and my servant will be healed.

Luke tells us that with this message, Jesus is truly amazed. So amazed that with the crowd surrounding him he announced that the centurion’s faith was to be recognized. The Gentile’s faith was greater than those who are the people of God. Not only was the centurion’s faith commended but the servant was healed as well.

Amazed

All indications are that the centurion has lived among the people long enough to have an appreciation for their culture, customs, and beliefs. He is so connected to the people that he helps them build a place for teaching and worship. And when he is in need he turns to one that he has never met but has heard about and believes that he is a man of great power. The centurion’s faith isn’t merely that Jesus can heal but that distance is not factor for him. On top of that the centurion’s statement demonstrates that he understands that this Jesus carries out his work under the authority of God. Just say the word and my servant will be healed. It is this kind of faith that amazes Jesus.

This kind of faith is amazing even to us. This kind of faith is bold and courageous. It asks without doubt—not “If God could…” but a trust that we ask knowing that God speaks it and it is done. It is combined with humility and thus is not arrogant or boastful. It doesn’t know everything but trusts the one who does.

This kind of faith amazes God. God in the flesh is amazed by the faith of one who is outside Jewish tradition and teaching. But when it comes to faith Jesus can be amazed. There is one other place in Jesus’ life where he is amazed. In Mark 6, Jesus is in Nazareth. This is where Jesus was raised as a child into adulthood. He knows these people and these people know him. Jesus teaches in the synagogue and the people are amazed at Jesus’ insights and understanding about the scripture and they are amazed at his miracles. But as amazed as they are, the people couldn’t put together how this man who came from among them; who had not been educated at rabbinical schools could be so insightful. In their amazement, they rejected Jesus.

And we are told in verse 6 that Jesus is amazed at their lack of faith. A centurion who is unfamiliar with the ways of God has great faith. It is a simple faith. A faith that is based on what he has heard is sufficient. But those who see Jesus reject him. God is amazed by the great faith of one and amazed at the lack of faith of another. Amazed that one with so little understanding believes and amazed that one who has had every opportunity to see, hear, and be persuaded still question.

How would you describe your faith? Trusting or needing more proof? Humble or arrogant? Speak and it will be so or if God would only…? The invitation stands before you today.

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