GREAT FAITH
Suggested Reading: Luke 7
(click scripture link to read online)
In the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, this octagonal baptismal font in the south aisle dates from the 6th-century church of Justinian; it originally stood near the high altar. The inscription reads, "For remembrance, rest and remission of sins of those whose names the Lord knows."
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.
Key Verse: Luke 7:9
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!”
From yesterday’s reading we are to be “talmudim,” disciples, students, of Jesus. Today we learn more from our Teacher, Jesus. In the last verse of chapter 7, we learn that the woman had “faith.” “Great faith” is not just believing for our sins to be forgiven, but a recognition of the absolute authority of Jesus. Authority is communicated by words. In the case of this Roman officer, he gave commands and was obeyed. His authority came from Caesar, the Emperor of Rome. His “great faith” was in recognizing that Jesus’ authority came from Almighty God. When Jesus speaks, it is done! We need to read and listen for His Word. Like the officer, ask Him to “speak the Word.” God’s Word for this new day is powerful. I suggest we read this chapter a second time. Jesus is speaking to us.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, I’m reading and listening. I’m learning as Your student about “great faith.” I recognize Your authority over me. Please give me the grace to obey You. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I remember being stopped on a busy Toronto street by a police woman. She raised her hand and I obeyed. Thousands of pounds of metal came to a halt at her gesture. A long line up of cars stopped also. I thought, she does not have the power physically to stop all these cars, but she has the authority. She is backed up by the city, the province, the government of Canada, and the Queen. I thought, how much more should I instantly obey Jesus. He’s backed up by all the authority of the universe. He said, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore and make disciples (students) of all the nations” (Matt 28:18b & 19a). I’m confident that this blog is done in obedience to what I believe Jesus has spoken to me. Please, if you have not already done so, check out the story of how this blog came to be. Click here.
Yours, recognizing the universal authority of Jesus,
David
REMINDER: If you are reading the email version and wish to post a comment on my blog, go to www.100words.ca and “Leave a Reply.”
Isn’t it interesting how in this life success is based on the car you drive, the house you own, the clothes you wear, the coffee you drink? Yet, Jesus spells success by the word FAITH. He even goes as far to say in Matthew 17:20 “… I tell you the truth, if you have faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there.’ and it would move, Nothing would be impossible.” Imagine that? Like the woman in Luke 7 that anointed Jesus with the oil from the alabaster jar, she showed a great measure faith and adoration in her Lord for which she was greatly rewarded as her sins had been forgiven her. Love Jesus, practice faith, your rewards will go beyond anything you could possibly imagine, in this life and in the new life to come.
David…100 Huntley st …today….awesome…interview…about the church…
Todays read and picture …..just what i needed today…..He knows our Name…
Blessings David as we enjoy this new day that the Lord has given us…we will be glad and rejoice in it
We are a Blessed People Indeed….. praying for you ……as Always…..Di
Thanks so very much David. You have increased the core of my spirituality. God bless you, Norma Jean and all your children and grand children. We have known you right from the days when you were here in Toronto. Val Dodd used to be in our st. John Fisher Charismatic p.g. in Bramalea.
I was a bit sorry to hear that Jim will be leaving the program. He always seems to be that voice that brings things back into perspective; kind of a father figure. I will miss him. Thank you David for your blog again today. What a picture of authority; that police woman. I had never seen that before; and the way you related that to the authority Jesus has over us all. I don’t know how your mind can be so insightful that early in the morning while i am sleeping! Ha. God bless you; John.