Jesus Marveled

Little kids with bubbles.

A dad holding his child just minutes after birth.

Hearing about the immensity of the universe.

Those are things that we would say cause us to marvel.

Things that are bigger than we are. Things that we just can't quite comprehend. Things that make us just gaze and say, "Wow!"

So what makes Jesus marvel?

After all, He is the creator of the universe. Is He really impressed with the number of stars in our galaxy? Or the view of microbial life through a telescope?

There are two instances in the Gospels where it is recorded that Jesus marveled.

"When Jesus heard this, He marveled..." (Matthew 8:10).

Today's sermon at Highland Park Church in Columbus, NE was from this text, so this is from Pastor Justin Erickson, not from me.

Jesus marveled at the faith of the centurion, who asked for his servant to be healed.

Here are four characteristics of that faith:

1. Desperate for the grace of Christ. The centurion appealed to Jesus (v 5).

2. Unworthy in the presence of Christ. The centurion realized that he was not worthy to have the Creator enter his home (v 8).

3. Confident in the power of Christ. The centurion knew that Jesus could speak and heal his servant (v 8).

4. Yielded to the authority of Christ. The centurion knew that Christ could heal his servant and is willing to submit to Christ's word (v 8-9).

Jesus used this man's faith as an illustration and warning to the Jews who thought that they had faith.

I wonder how my faith measures up to the centurion.

Usually I have faith when I've reached the end of my rope, but it's usually a faith of resignation. I don't know what else to do, so I guess I'll have to trust God.

Resignation isn't really the same as yielding, is it?

Often this leads to a lack of confidence in the power of Christ. Sure, He can do anything, but I don't think He will.

Lord, give me the faith of the centurion!

Miracles? Really?

"And to the centurion Jesus said, 'Go, let it be done for your as you have believed.' And the servant was healed in that very moment" (Mt 8:12).

Jesus instructed and the centurion believed. A miracle took place.

How simple is that?

I often wish that these great miracles would happen in my life. Or at least in the lives of people around me. Instead of fighting this cold for the last week, Jesus could just heal it. Instead of living with broken relationships, Jesus could just speak and solve these problems. Instead of friends with cancer and broken bones, Jesus could give the command and they would be healed.

Looking at the miracles of physical healing distracts from the miracles that happen every day. The miracles that Jesus has done and continues to do in my life get derailed by "the big miracles."

Like salvation.

Jesus Christ, the eternal, holy Son of God, became a baby so that He could die on the cross. His death paid the penalty for all of my sins, which had separated me from the presence of a holy God.

By putting my trust in Christ's work on the cross as payment for the penalty for my sins, I have forgiveness from God. I have peace with God. I can anticipate eternity in His presence. No longer condemned, I am declared righteous. No longer guilty, I am free.

Not because of anything that I have done. But by God's grace.

So the centurion experienced a miracle that day. His servant was healed. But the servant probably got sick again. He eventually died. That miracle was great. But it was short-lived.

The miracle of salvation goes on into eternity. It's blessings are much greater than physical healing.

That's an amazing miracle.