Believing Without Seeing     Luke 7:1-10; cf Matt 8:5-13

Seeing is believing; right? Most of the time. The eye doesn’t lie! Unless we are deceived or tricked into believing we saw something when we didn’t; but most of the time seeing is believing. That’s what an eyewitness is. In a court of law someone has witnessed an event or has been direct hearer of words said or actions done, and they have credibility in a legal setting in obtaining evidence.

But what about believing without seeing?

Such is the case before us in Luke 7.

The character of the centurion:

1.  Roman Commander of 100 men: a highly experienced soldier; as such given responsibility; one well trained in tactics, strategy, weapons of warfare.

2.  A Gentile: Not of Jewish origin (as such generally not well respected by the Jewish community); most Romans represented harsh servitude enforced by the Roman oppressors, made wealthy off Jewish taxes.

3.  A generous man: built a Jewish synagogue for his community; coming to Jesus for a selfless reason: on behalf of a sick servant - he could have gotten rid of his servant and got another one, but no, he cared for this one showing compassion.

4.  A man of humility and respect: he acknowledged his own role and responsibility and the fact that he also was under the authority of Jesus. He respected and honoured Jesus. “For I too am a man under authority, with 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."” (Verse 9) He acknowledged that Jesus, being a Jew, would receive condemnation from others for going into a Gentile man’s house.

5.  A man of great faith: built a synagogue (while a Gentile, he acknowledged the God of Israel at a cost to himself, he was a worshipper of the God of Israel.)

Jesus marvelled. “he marvelled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith." (Luke 7:9) Jesus acknowledged that those of Israel – those who were the sons of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; the direct descendants of those to whom the law, the prophets and covenants were given – should be the ones who accepted and trusted in Jesus the most. They knew much and much was required and yet they, and especially the religious hierarchy, were the most antagonistic opponents of Jesus. Jesus was amazed at this man. There are only 2 places in the New Testament where Jesus marvelled or was amazed. Here, where there is great faith being shown, and in his hometown of Nazareth, where it says, “he marvelled because of their unbelief.” (Mark 6:6)

Great faith: also recorded in Matthew 8:10-12, “"Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith.” What was the instigation of this faith? Look at verse 3 again. “When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant.” The centurion didn’t see the miracles for himself. He had only heard.

This is great faith: This is why Jesus marvelled. The Centurion didn’t know or meet Jesus; indeed the Jews had to explain who the Centurion was and give a bit of background story to Jesus regarding who he was and what he had done.

Believing without seeing, only hearing. The Centurion had enough faith to send the elders of the Jews to Jesus, and the Elders of the Jews had enough respect for this centurion to be sent. What did the centurion hear about Jesus? We don’t know; it’s earlier in the gospels of Matthew and Luke where this story is told. By this time, he may have heard of people being delivered of demons, lepers being healed. Matthew tells us before this interaction with the centurion that Jesus healed “those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, epileptics, and paralytics.” (Matthew 4:24)

There were no resurrections from the dead like Lazarus or calming of the storm or the feeding of the 5 thousand. There were only these isolated stories and the centurion believed.

How much do you need to believe? Is seeing believing for you? Are you like doubting Thomas who had seen 3 years of miracles and been taught directly by Jesus, saw his face as a daily occurrence, yet said unless I see Him in the flesh, touch him where the nails and spear went “I will not believe”?

You see, seeing is not believing. Believing is believing. That’s why Jesus said to Thomas, “stop doubting and believe.” Blessed are those who believe and yet have not seen.

Matthew added a bit more teaching to Jesus’ encounter with the centurion..... "Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 8:10-13)

May Christ marvel at our faith. May He be amazed at your trust, your generosity, your courage, your boldness, your faith in His name.

Many in our day, as in the days of Jesus on Earth, will reject Jesus in the end; even those who should know better, those who have been Christians, raised in churches, or have a religious background. Many will fall away due to unbelief. Not you.

What makes you believe without seeing?

Trusting in the testimony of others, what you read in the scriptures – the Bible. This is truth.

What you have seen in the lives of others around you who have trusted in Christ and you’ve seen Christ in their lives. Finally – what you have seen in your own life.

In the final part of this story, Jesus said, “let it be done for you as you have believed." And the servant was healed at that very moment.” (Matthew 8:13) His servant was miraculously healed “at that very moment,” right before his eyes. His servant was better. What more proof did he need?

What more proof do you need? You don’t need more proof, is the answer.

Your biggest need is to use the faith Jesus has already given you! Pray for what we are about to do in in our church this term – get involved!