Explore: Faith Demonstrated

• The Explore the Bible lesson for Jan. 31 focuses on Matthew 8:5-13.

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• The Explore the Bible lesson for Jan. 31 focuses on Matthew 8:5-13.

Several months ago, I completely “lost my cool” over a situation in which I found myself. As a pastor, you never know who around you knows you and who doesn’t. Honestly, it can be frustrating. People act a bit different around a pastor, even if they don’t know the pastor personally. 

I was at a local service station owned by a close friend of mine. Often, we will talk about baseball, history and even theology. While we were chatting, a conversation between two senior adult men, who obviously knew one another, ensued in the background. One of the two men made a terrible, just awful statement about a minority group. I won’t glorify his stupidity by repeating it here. (Sounds like I’m still a little angry, huh?)

My “anger attitude” went from a one to a 10 immediately. I blew up and, for lack of a better term, reamed out the guy. While I was embarrassed by my hot-tempered attitude, and especially for speaking to a senior adult in such a way, at the end of the day, it was warranted. God hates racism and prejudice, and so should we.

But let me ask you: Is there such a thing as gospel prejudice?

A Turning Point

Through this story, Jesus opens up a discussion and practice about something important in his ministry. This discussion is so important it even reaches down through history all the way to you and me. Let me explain. 

Here’s a tip: When you read a story in the Gospels, always pay attention to who is near Jesus. Who are the major players in the story or who might be listening to the teaching?

In the story before us about the faith of the centurion, Matthew doesn’t explicitly say who was near Jesus. In the prior story, large crowds were following Jesus (see Matthew 8:1). Of course, we know the disciples were almost always with him. After all, part of Jesus’ ministry was to prepare these men. It was their formal education and this type of “following you around in life” mentorship was normative in the ancient near eastern world. Additionally, the parallel story in Luke 7:1-10 indicated the disciples were with Jesus and a large crowd. 


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Why does this matter? Two reasons:

1. As one would expect, the Jews living in Israel during Jesus’ day were not fond of being occupied by the Roman Empire. Just think about it. How would we Texans feel if Italy occupied our state and took control? See my point? There are plenty of biblical and extra-biblical indications that the Jews were frustrated with the Roman occupation. Who can blame them?

2. At this point in Jesus’ ministry, the people of Israel thought salvation was for Israel alone. After all, they had prayed for, and had been promised, a mighty king and deliverer. They still were thinking in terms of Jesus setting up an earthly kingdom. Of course, Jesus was setting up a heavenly kingdom on earth. Because of this, we find—at this stage—Israel thinking salvation will not extend to non-Jews, known as Gentiles. Therefore, salvation would not extend to the people of the Roman Empire.

Through this story, Jesus is about to start to break down any prejudices the disciples and “the crowd” had toward Gentiles, as well as letting them know the gospel extends to the whole world, not just the Jews. The disciples were about to get a front row view of their destiny—helping take the gospel even to the Gentiles.

The “Gasp” Moment

Much could be said about the centurion here, but our lesson explains his leadership well. Take note, however, how unusual his request was: “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering” (Matthew 8:6). Although the Romans occupied Israel, there was little intentional social interaction between Romans and Jews. Here, however, the desperate centurion makes his plea. Jesus doesn’t shun him away. Rather, Jesus shows kindness to this Roman authority figure.

Jesus said to him, “I will go and heal him” (Matthew 8:7). I’ve always thought a sound-effect Bible would be awesome. In my make-believe sound-effect Bible, the crowd gasps when Jesus made this statement. The reason? Well, Jesus gave the centurion the time of day, but more importantly, he offered to heal the centurion’s servant. His offer was quick and matter-of-fact. 

 “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed” (Matthew 8:8). There it is! Jews and Roman’s didn’t really associate with one another. Historically, a Jewish person rarely would have entered the home of a Roman, and the centurion knew this. The centurion also acknowledges the special mission of Jesus must not be meant for him, since he is a Gentile. Jesus has a different narrative.

The “Gasp Moment” #2, Only More Dramatic

Jesus loved to challenge the thinking of those around him. So often, the people had the wrong thinking, compared to Jesus. This story is a hallmark as it relates to ministry to the Gentiles. Jews generally viewed Gentiles as pagan and unholy. Most of them were, for sure. But it looks like, from this story, God is about to break some stereotypical thinking in the disciples and the Jews.

Notice Jesus’ response to the centurion’s faith: “When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, ‘I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith’” (Matthew 8:10).  (Insert overly dramatic gasping sound-effect here). Jesus is saying: “The faith of this Roman man, this Gentile, who according to all of you, and even him, can’t have belief in the one true God … Well, he believes in the one true God. He has more faith than anyone I’ve seen of my own people group.” Ouch! And awesome, at the same time. 

Remember earlier, when I said to pay attention to the various characters in the story? Notice, Jesus makes the statement about the faith of the centurion to “those following him.” Who was following him? The crowd. But who were his true followers? The 12 disciples! Jesus turns to his disciples and, in a way of foreshadowing, shows them true faith even extends beyond the Jews to the Gentiles, and even more specifically, to people of the Roman world. A Roman world to which they soon would be taking the gospel. A Roman world that soon would crucify Jesus. A Roman world that soon would martyr those same disciples. 

Interestingly enough, Luke’s Gospel records this story just a touch differently. “When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel” (Luke 7:9 emphasis added). In Luke’s account, Jesus turns to the entire crowd to make the statement about the faith of the centurion. If you think of it in these terms, now Jesus is telling all of Israel “the faith of this Roman man supersedes your faith.” Could he be preparing them to understand what John would later proclaim: “For God so loved the world”?

And of course, the servant of the centurion indeed was healed, and Jesus wasn’t even present.

The bottom line? No group, class or race of people can claim a monopoly on faith.

Application questions for your group:

1. Have you ever been tempted to think that God’s gospel can’t be received by a certain group, class, or race? If so, who and why? 

2. Might someone you not expect have the capacity to have great faith?

3. Is there such a thing as “Gospel prejudice?”


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