Matthew 8:8-10 (NKJV)The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!
This passage is probably one of the best examples of faith and its definition in the Bible. Jesus mentioned that the centurion had great faith. The centurion, being a soldier of another country, was foreign to the covenant of Israel, but he was convinced that Jesus is the Son of God. He knew that the Son of God has authority and sovereignty over the situation. Moreover, he understood the power of the spoken word especially if it was uttered by the Son of God. He believed that things would happen when Jesus spoke of them.
As for us, when Jesus has spoken or the promises are written in the Word of God, we should also have faith in what He has spoken in the Word. The centurion explained the power of the word as spoken by a person in a position of authority. He was convinced that Jesus’ Word has similar power and authority since He is the most supreme being, God. Therefore, he believed when Jesus just spoke the Word, it was done, and the servant would be healed. Jesus said he had never seen such great faith, not even in Israel.
Hebrews 11:1(NKJV) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. We should put our faith in God’s promises while we do not deny facts, medical reports, experiences, feelings and symptoms in our bodies. What gives substance to our faith is the promises of God found in His Word, including having faith in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The centurion hadn’t seen the servant’s healing because the servant was at home, but he believed that as soon as Jesus gave the Word, the servant would be healed. Faith is the substance (the Word) hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Once Jesus has spoken, the Centurion would have the substance to his faith coupled with his conviction of who Jesus is!
We should do likewise by approaching Jesus in faith and confidence that He will heal and deliver us from any crisis.
Sermon Series: Focus on Jesus
我们信心的实底
马太福音8：8-10百夫长回答说：“主啊，你到我舍下，我不敢当；只要你说一句话，我的仆人就必好了。因为我在人的权下，也有兵在我以下；对这个说：’去’，他就去；对那个说：’来’，他就来；对我的仆人说：’你作这事’，他就去作。”耶稣听见就希奇，对跟从的人说：“我实在告诉你们：这么大的信心，就是在以色列中，我也没有遇见过。
这段经文可能是对信心及信心在圣经中的定义的最好例子之一。耶稣提到百夫长有极大的信心。百夫长是另一国的士兵，对以色列的盟约是陌生的，但他深信耶稣是上帝的儿子。他知道上帝的儿子在这种情况下拥有权威和主权。此外，他明白口中话语的力量，特别如果是上帝之子说的话的话。他相信，当耶稣说到这些事情时，一切都会发生。
至于我们，当耶稣说了话或将应许写在上帝的话语中时，我们也应该对祂在经上说的有信心。百夫长解释了位处权威的人所说的话的力量；他深信耶稣的话语具有相似的能力和权威，因为祂是至高无上的那位。因此，他相信只要耶稣话一出口，事情就成了，他的仆人将得到医治。耶稣说祂从未见过如此大的信心，甚至在以色列也从未见过。
希伯来书11：1信心是所望之事的实底，是未见之事的确据。
信心是所望之事的实底，是未见之事的确据。我们应该相信上帝的应许，同时我们不否认事实、医学报告、经验、感觉和身体的症状。赋予我们的信心以实底的是上帝在祂话语中的应许，包括对耶稣基督的救赎充满信心。百夫长没有看到他仆人的康复，因为仆人在家中；但是他相信，只要耶稣说了，仆人就会得到医治。信心是所望之事的实底（上帝的话语），是未见之事的确据。一旦耶稣说了之后，百夫长就拥有了他信心的实底，再加上对耶稣是谁的确信！
同样地，我们也应在信心和自信里靠近耶稣，相信祂会医治我们并从危机中救我们脱离。
讲章系列：定晴在耶稣上