Overview of: LukeToday's Reading:
Luke 7:1 – 8:56
"Faith, Doubt, Truth, and Power"
Focus Verses: Luke 7:9-10
9 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." 10 Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.
Insight:
In Luke 7-8 we read the accounts of a wide variety of encounters with Jesus. We see Jesus demonstrate his power and authority over sickness, death, demons, and nature. We see some people drawn to him and responding to him in faith. We see some struggling with doubts. We see others rejecting and opposing him. Some have eyes to see and ears to hear, but others don't.
I love the story of the centurion and his amazing faith. His faith in Christ was so complete that even Jesus "was amazed at him." He wanted Jesus to heal his servant, but didn't need Jesus to come to his house (he didn't even need to see Jesus face to face, but instead sent friends to make his request). He had such faith in the authority of Jesus that he only needed Jesus to "say the word." If Jesus declared his servant healed, that would be enough. He would simply take that word as true and expect his servant to be healed.
Response and Action:
I would like to amaze Jesus with my faith. I would like to have such confidence in his power and authority that I am satisfied to make my needs known to him. No matter what my circumstances or needs are, I will ask Jesus to simply say the word and trust in his power. I will also trust in God's goodness and purposes, believing that he also has the authority to deny my requests.
O God, my faith and my hope are in you, your son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. I believe that you are powerful and able meet my needs. I believe that you are personal and that you care about my burdens and my circumstances. I believe you are persuadable--that you hear my prayers and that you are responsive to the cries of my heart. I believe that you are present with me, that you are closer than the air I breathe, that you are good and just and gracious and merciful. Help me to live with confidence that comes from recognizing and embracing your authority. Through Christ, I pray. Amen.
Old Testament for Today: Psalm 23:4
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
In Context: Psalm 23
Proverb for Today: Prov. 5:21
"For a man's ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all his paths."
Recommended Reading:
Faith & Doubt
by John Ortberg
