Something big and something great… this has been what most people have wanted; big houses, big cars, big lots, big accounts, great position, great name… just to name a few. All these things man have sought. Even Christians, unknowingly, become seekers of greatness; bigger churches, lots of members, numerous utility vehicles, greater position within the church, etc. Though there is nothing wrong in seeking for greatness, it’s the end-result that concludes it all. Jesus said in Matt 6:32, “(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.” But what we must primarily seek is the greatness of our faith.
The People of Great Faith
There are only two people mentioned by Jesus Christ as persons having great faith. The first is the Roman centurion and the other is the Canaanite woman. They were especially mentioned by Jesus in front of His disciples and the multitudes of Jews who were following Him. Both, the centurion and the Canaanite woman, share something in common. There are great differences between them but their common grounds gave them the respect of men when Jesus gave them special mentions.
· Both of them were Gentiles and weren’t part of Israel
· Both of them have problems regarding their favored ones (the centurion’s servant and the woman’s daughter)
· Both of them showed humility and surrender in the presence of Jesus
· Both of them believed that Jesus can heal their favored ones.
· Both of them received the promise that Jesus gave.
What made them special? Notice that Jesus never mentioned any greatness of faith within His circle of friends and disciples. Furthermore, Jesus kept on calling His disciples as man of little faith (Matthew 8:26; 16:8), man with no faith (Mark 4:40), and man with lacking faith (Luke 8:25). Another thing worth noting was when Jesus declared the greatness of the centurion’s faith; He declared it openly where the multitudes following Him could hear it. It was a slap-in-the-face for the Jews. His declaration made an impression that He is not a respecter of persons. His goodness and mercy abounds, even outside the Jews. His citizenship never bothers Him in any way to extend His mercy and goodness towards these two Gentiles.
The P.H.A.S.E. that leads to Great Faith
Let us take the centurion’s story; the centurion was not a Jew. He was a Roman soldier that had a number of soldiers under his authority. He also has Jewish servants that tend to him, his family and his men. He was not a Jew yet he loved Israel as his own nation and even built a synagogue for the elders of the Jews (Luke 7:3-5). He was not a Jew yet he cared for his sickly servant; he could have dismissed that servant and hired another but he didn’t. He was a believer to the God of Israel. He knew that through the help of God’s begotten Son, his favored servant will be healed.
· Pursue - The centurion pursued Jesus when He came unto Capernaum. When the news that Jesus had arrived, he made a way that his request be made known to Jesus. The gospel of Matthew stated that it was the centurion who made the request while the gospel of Luke cited that the centurion sent messengers to give his request. Either way, his request was made known and Jesus began to go towards the centurion’s house.
Christians must pursue the presence of Jesus Christ. Like the centurion, Christians must seek after our Lord and make their petitions be heard through prayer. But there are some Christians who forgot to pursue Jesus. They felt that their wisdom and position are already enough. They become arrogant and felt that some of the commands of the Lord (in the Bible) are already obsolete and not for us any longer. They forgot to pursue the miracles of God for they believed that miracles have stopped when all the apostles died. It is sad to know that some well-meant Christians forgot to seek God’s healing touch and just rely on science and nature. Science, medicine and doctors can never heal people. They give the prescriptions and GOD WILL DO THE HEALING!
· Humility - Before Jesus could go any further, the centurion pleaded Him not to come to his house. The centurion recognized his sinful self and knew that he and his house is not worthy of Jesus’ presence.
Sometimes our humility becomes false; false in the sense of reason and wisdom. Humility is about surrender. Humility is more of one’s action rather than words. True that humility starts with words but humility is seen and felt only through actions. The centurion showed his humility to Jesus. He was humble enough to recognize that he was unworthy of the presence of Jesus. He was humble that he admitted to Jesus that he and his house is not worthy of His presence. Christians must do likewise; to show surrender and humility in the sights of our Lord Jesus Christ.
· Acceptance - The centurion explained himself by reasoning that he is a man having authority in his own way. He had soldiers and servants under him that his commands were followed. He accepted the fact that even if he has authority, there is one that is higher than his, especially when it comes to healing and miracles.
As Christians, we have to accept the fact that we can do nothing. Even if we have all the power in the world but have not Jesus, we are doomed to fail. We have to accept the fact that through our Lord’s words and commands, blessings follows.
· Suppose/Believe - The centurion supposed that Jesus, with His own authority, could heal his servant with a simple word or command coming from Him. He believed that Jesus could heal his servant. He believed that even if His presence is not with the servant, Jesus’ utterance can heal his servant.
What most people lack right now is the ability to believe. Even if the highest authority is in their midst, their ability to believe lies on what they see. Most people have this motto: “to see is to believe”. It is hard to believe on something that we cannot see. The centurion has heard of the miracles of Jesus. He has heard that many people were healed by His touch and presence. Even if he didn’t see it personally, he believed that Jesus had the authority to heal and to provide miracles. He believed not on what he saw but on what he felt.
· Embrace - The centurion embraced the fact that Jesus had healed his servant by Jesus’ words. Even if he didn’t see the miracle worked in his servant, he claimed the healing and the miracle that Jesus had given to him and his servant.
Like the centurion, Christians must cling unto the promises of our Lord. Even if it seems impossible, impossibility is nothing compared with our Lord. “But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible (Matt 19:26).” We have to embrace whatever declaration that we utter unto our God. When we declare healing, embrace it! When we declare financial breakthrough, embrace it! When we declare emotional freedom, embrace it! Whatever you ask our Lord for His greater glory, embrace it! Embrace God’s goodness. Embrace God’s mercy. And His blessings will embrace you.
Men and Women of Great Faith
Through this P.H.A.S.E. rest assured that you become part of the “men and women of great faith”. But what other things does ‘great faith’ unlocks? There are many examples in the Bible where simple faith granted the faithful healing and miracles. How much more with ‘great faith’? “Great faith” gives Christians the assurance of God’s answers. Even if the world seems to turn against the man of great faith, he can still give God glory. Even if the man of great faith suffers too much problem, persecution and temptation, he can still shout God’s goodness in his life.
Brethren, be a man of great faith. Surpass the faith that you have and allow Jesus to increase your faith regularly. Start with a faith as small as a mustard seed; grow from there through the increase that our Lord Jesus Christ will give. Have great faith and “if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you (Matt 17:20).”
Great Faith
By Ptr. JC Balao