Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1). Faith is not a mystic concept. It is substantive. Jesus often spoke of faith. He often recognized it when it was displayed.
What did Jesus say about faith? Here are 7 awesome things!
What Did Jesus Say About Faith — The Centurion
Matthew 8:10 Now when Jesus heard this, He was amazed and said to those who were following, “Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel.”
The Centurion’s faith impressed Jesus. The centurion fully understood authority. Verbal commands had to be obeyed instantly. This faith thing, to the centurion, was simple.
The centurion had a servant who was paralyzed and suffering terribly. Centurions were Roman soldiers and not part of the family of God. Yet, he still displayed great faith in what Jesus could do.
Jesus commended the centurion’s faith. He said that the centurion’s faith was greater than His disciples! Ouch.
Desperate Times, Desperate Measures
Mark 2:5 And Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
Jesus was preaching at home and the house was packed. There was no room to enter the house to hear what Jesus was saying.
Four men carried their friend to the house meeting. Instead of turning around and going home, they hatched a unique plan.
“Hey, Zeke do you see that ladder? Put it against the house.”
“Are you crazy? What are doing?”
“I’m sick and tired of carrying you around, Isaac. You’re going to see this Jesus and walk out of here today! I’m not carrying you back home!”
Think about the audacity of these men. They basically cut a hole in the roof of the house. The hole was big enough to drop the paralytic through the hole. Jesus was forced to see this guy and to do something about it.
What did He do?
He healed the man on the spot.
Mark 2:11-12 “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”
Desperate times call for desperate measures. Push your spiritual chips to the center of the table. Trust God!
Who Touched Me?
Mark 5:34 And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be cured of your disease.”
This woman was hemorrhaging for twelve years. She spend every penny she had on a cure that never happened.
Jesus was her last resort. She developed a plan to touch Him. It worked. Jesus healed her the moment that she touched Him.
Mark 5:28 For she said, “If I just touch his clothes, I’ll be made well.”
The crowds thronged Jesus. Yet, she found a way to touch Him.
He asked His disciples, “Who touched Me?” They were flabbergasted because the crowd pressed upon Him and He wanted to know who actually “touched” Him.
She came clean and told Jesus the entire story.
He healed the one who touched Him. Jesus even said, “your faith has made you well.”
Simply amazing.
Here’s the entire Bible text.
Blind Bart
Mark 10:52 And Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road.
Bart was an embarrassing person. He didn’t care what people thought about him or his method of getting the attention of Jesus.
Bart was blind. He was also a beggar. When he heard that Jesus was walking by him he amped up his vocal cords and began to shout loudly!
“JESUS!!! Have mercy on me!” He was incredibly loud and was going to ensure Jesus at least heard him.
The crowd tried to hush him but he was not having it. He has one shot!
Jesus called him and asked what he wanted.
Great question! He could have wanted 100 denari. Or wisdom.
He wanted sight.
Bart was healed that day.
The Grateful Leper
Luke 17:19 And He said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has made you well.”
There were ten lepers in need of healing. It appears that they all cried out for mercy in unison!
“Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
He told them to go show themselves to the priests. As they went they were cleansed from their leprosy.
One noticed that he was healed and returned to give thanks to Jesus. The other nine skipped along their merry way.
All ten were healed that day. The one who returned to give thanks was made well, however. His healing went well beyond leprosy.
Go In Peace
Luke 7:50 And He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
This entire text needs to be read for full understanding.
A sinful woman came to Jesus and made an extravagant display of her gratitude toward Jesus. When those in the house began to protest her actions Jesus told them a parable.
The one who is forgiven much loves much. Conversely, the one who is forgiven little is forgiven little. Truthfully, we’re all forgiven a debt that none of us could pay. Sadly, many believe that they are not “that” bad and only need a little bit of grace.
This woman’s actions touched the heart of Jesus!
What Did Jesus Say About Faith — According To Your Faith
Matthew 9:29 Then He touched their eyes, saying, “It shall be done for you according to your faith.”
Two blind men followed Jesus and cried out, “Have mercy on us Son of David!”
Jesus asked them simply if they believed that He could heal them.
How about you? Do you believe that Jesus can and will do the impossible? Have you given up on the miraculous? Or do you believe that miracles have ceased?
They answered in the affirmative with a brief, “Yes, Lord!”
The blind men were healed in accordance with their faith.
Bonus
Matthew 15:28 Then Jesus replied to her, “Woman, your faith is great. Let it be done for you as you want.” And from that moment her daughter was healed.
Jesus was sent to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. He healed a Samaritan, a centurion’s son, and others outside the fold.
In this text, a Canaanite woman was begging Jesus to deliver her daughter from a demon. Jesus didn’t respond favorably. Yet, she continued to seek Him using covenant language reminiscent of Mephibosheth and David.
Jesus instantly healed her daughter!
Benediction
Peace to the brothers, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.