Day 420 of Giving Thanks Daily – Guest Writer, Tymothy Longoria

Something to Marvel at…

Marvel.

1. One that evokes surprise, admiration, or wonder. 

2. Strong surprise; astonishment.

v. mar·veled 

To become filled with wonder or astonishment.

The scene is set in the following scripture. Imagine the clamor and boisterous nature of the crowds around Jesus as He went from town to town.

Luke 7:1-10

1 Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum. 2 And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die. 3 So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant. 4And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, 5 “for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue.”

6 Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. 7 Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” ~Luke 7:1-8

“When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!”  And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.” ~Luke 7:9-10

What an amazing piece of the Word this Scripture is, and there are many lessons can be garnered from every scripture as they work together, in unison. As I read this scripture and focused on verse 9... I was left marveling at it. Me, a vapor in the wind, a wave tossed about the ocean – and the centurion, who we can safely assume was not a "convert", and we know he was not of Jewish faith, for obvious reasons. Yet, he did believe in the Son’s power. He believed in Christ’s authority over sickness, as well as death! He had FAITH. And the King of Kings, the Word in the flesh, the Son of the Almighty God...

... I just MARVELED at the Roman centurion's FAITH?  Jesus made an example of it and said, not even in my own land, within my own lineage.

The centurion considered himself unworthy, as we all should.

I mean that is one of the cornerstones of our faith.

“I am not worthy, Lord, but You are."  Yet he had faith enough to ask this of the Healer, whom he had most certainly heard about. He said to himself, just as the woman with the affliction, "If I can only ask Him, I know He will do it," but he did not just stop there, he sent people out to get Jesus. He moved on his faith. He moved.

I turn now briefly to the book of Hebrews, specifically Chapter 11 – The people of God acted out their faith. They believed in the authority of God and His promise. They said to themselves, "If I can only ask, I know He can and will do it." Then what happened? Well, they asked. Then they moved. They shut the mouths of lions. They walked through fire, they danced in the fire! They overcame giants and crushed mountains. They defeated armies and destroyed strongholds. They said, if you had only been here! They sent out a party to ask Jesus to heal a loved one. And He did. And He did. And He did! Not only that, HE marveled at this show of faith!

Who are we to Jesus Christ, the One for Whom and by Whom all was created that He would marvel at our faith? That He should admire or wonder at us? Nothing gets by Him. Yet, as the scripture says, HE was surprised! :)

We are the sons and daughters of the Living God. The ones who boldly proclaim: "Lord, if I ask, I KNOW You will do this! Lord, I ask that even if my faith is just as a mustard seed, may YOU-Wonderful, Counselor, Prince of peace and King of Kings-You, Lord, in this day and age, You will marvel at me and help me to be all that You will!"

Jesus, I thank You, that You have considered my faith worthy to be something to marvel at! Lord, let us all be as the centurion and say, I am unworthy but I know Who You are. You have the authority in and about my life. It is all Yours. Say the word...and it will be done!

“You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. By my works, whatever they may be, let Your glory shine!” ~James 2:24