Great Faith

 •  9 min. read  •  grade level: 8
by W. Brockmeier
A Canaanite Woman and a Certain Centurion
In His public ministry, the Lord Jesus twice commended individuals for having "great faith." These acknowledgments were not directed to His own disciples, but to a Canaanite woman and a Roman centurion. Their personal faith shines even more brilliantly when we contrast it with the dark and widespread unbelief of the Jews.
The names of the two individuals whom God has singled out as having great faith are not mentioned, for it is their faith to which God would direct our thoughts. Their faith, which so delighted the heart of Christ, should be of special interest to us and prompt us to inquire as to what constitutes great faith. May the consideration of these two individuals encourage the hearts of those of us who are more characterized by having little faith.
A Canaanite Woman
"Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tire and Sidon. And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto Him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, Thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and besought Him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. But He answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshipped Him, saying, Lord, help me. But He answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour." Matt. 15:21-2821Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. 22And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. 23But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. 24But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 25Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. 26But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs. 27And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. 28Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour. (Matthew 15:21‑28).
This Canaanite woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation (Mark 7:2626The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter. (Mark 7:26)). Her readiness to accept whatever the Lord said to her and of her is a beautiful example of great faith.
As with each of us, it was her felt need that moved her to beseech the Lord for mercy. In so doing, she addressed Him as Son of David. That was true enough, but it was not suitable for a Gentile to approach the Jews' Messiah on that ground nor in those terms. It was not to the Gentiles that the Christ was sent. Her desperate plea for her afflicted daughter was met by silence from the Lord and earnest pleas from His disciples for Him to send her away.
The disciples may have known prohibitions of the law, but had not yet learned the grace and truth that come by Jesus Christ.
While the Lord's silence gave opportunity for the sad state of the disciples' hearts to be manifested, it also served to further the exercise in this woman's soul. When the Lord stated His mission of being sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, she dropped His title as Son of David and addressed Him alone as Lord. Her simple prayer is sublime in its directness: "Lord, help me." She did not waste words.
For this woman's great faith to be clearly witnessed, the Lord again seemingly rebuffed her. Well she knew what He meant by the children (the Jews) and the dogs (the Gentiles). Their bread was not hers. With unhesitating acceptance she owns His judgment as true, and in profound boldness claims the uneaten crumbs of bread for herself. It was in this same spirit that Ruth, the Moabitess, claimed redemption from Boaz. Compare Ruth chapter 2, verse 10, with chapter 3, verse 9.
How the Lord delights in faith that will not be turned aside from receiving blessing at His hand. To take our true place unreservedly before Him as those who are unworthy and who have no claim upon Him, and still to insist upon His blessing from having learned His character, is great faith indeed.
Faith is connected with grace, as works are with law. All blessing must be on the principle of grace. When the heart is established in grace, boldness of faith is realized.
A Certain Centurion
"Now when He had ended all His sayings in the audience of the people, He entered into Capernaum. And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die. And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto Him the elders of the Jews, beseeching Him that He would come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they besought Him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom He should do this: for he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. Then Jesus went with them. And when He was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying unto Him, Lord, trouble not Thyself; for I am not worthy that Thou shouldest enter under my roof: wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto Thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned Him about, and said unto the people that followed Him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick." Luke 7:1-101Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum. 2And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die. 3And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant. 4And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this: 5For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. 6Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: 7Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. 8For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 9When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. 10And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick. (Luke 7:1‑10).
The centurion, unlike the Syrophenician woman, made no attempt to approach the Lord as Son of David. His request was channeled through the Jewish elders. As they carried this message to Jesus, they also gave this admirable man a remarkable commendation. "He loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue." True love for God's people transcends human sentiment, is governed by the Word of God, and is exhibited in intensely practical ways. (Matt. 25:35-4035For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. (Matthew 25:35‑40); Heb. 6:1010For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. (Hebrews 6:10); 1 John 3:18; 5:218My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. (1 John 3:18)
2By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. (1 John 5:2).)
According to the Jews' estimation, this centurion was proclaimed worthy, but in his own eyes he judged himself unworthy. (Prov. 27:22Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips. (Proverbs 27:2).) Faith differs from presumption in that faith is marked by humility and confidence in God. Presumption attempts to exalt the one who boasts about himself.
Besides being marked by humility and love for the people of God, the centurion recognized that the Lord Jesus was a Man set under authority. Additionally, he recognized that his own authority over the soldiers, commanding them to obedience, was the result of his place of subjection to a higher authority. It was to the authority he represented that the soldiers ultimately rendered compliance.
By faith the centurion saw that the Lord Jesus in perfect manhood had taken a place of subjection to God. He knew the Lord Jesus need only say a word and his servant would be healed, for with Him was all the power of God and authority even over sickness.
How precious it is to contemplate the Lord Jesus in this setting. Truly He is the everlasting Word, the Mighty God, the Prince of the kings of the earth and Head over all things, yet how blessed to think of Him as a Man set under authority. Is not the place of subjection elevated before us, as we view the One who willingly took that place in lowly grace?
As we consider the Lord Jesus as a Man set under authority, we may well challenge our own hearts as to what measure we have practically demonstrated that we, too, are persons set under authority. Do we "go," "come" and "do" as He bids us?
Christendom boasts of numbers, talent, political influence, grandiose buildings and outward show, only to grieve the Lord's heart and give evidence how far she has fallen. In happy contrast, here was a man who could say of himself, as well as of Jesus, that he was a man set under authority. It was this declaration accompanied with the expressed confidence in the Lord's ability to heal that brought from the Lord's lips those memorable words, "I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel." To appreciate the Lord Jesus as a Man set under authority and to accept that place for ourselves is another testimony of great faith.
Never is the believer exhorted to disobey any subordinate authority, but rather always to obey God, the supreme authority. When one must go contrary to the demands of a subordinate authority, it is only in order to render obedience to the highest authority. Disobedience is never countenanced in Scripture. If there is true subjection to God and Christ, who has been exalted to the preeminent place in Manhood while never relinquishing His Deity, there will be manifest and consistent subjection to all other authority established by God.
The government, employers, assembly, parents and husbands are each invested with authority from God. Our subjection to Him will be readily discerned if we honor and submit to these delegated authorities. For one to claim obedience and subjection to God while manifestly flaunting, taunting, and otherwise despising God's established authority is mockery and rebellion. Compare 2 Peter 2:1010But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. (2 Peter 2:10) and Jude 88Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. (Jude 8), 9.
Those who occupy positions of authority are to be prayed for, honored and obeyed, not resisted, spoken evil of, or railed against. (Rom. 13:1-71Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. (Romans 13:1‑7); Eph. 6:1-81Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2Honor thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) 3That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. 4And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. 5Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; 6Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; 7With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: 8Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. (Ephesians 6:1‑8); Col. 3:18-2518Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. 19Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. 20Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. 21Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. 22Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: 23And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 25But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. (Colossians 3:18‑25); 1 Tim. 2:1, 21I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. (1 Timothy 2:1‑2); 1 Peter 2:17,1817Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. 18Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. (1 Peter 2:17‑18).) The manner in which they use or abuse that authority is a matter for which they must give account to God.
As God found immeasurable delight in His Son who in obedience fulfilled all His will, so, too, He will find pleasure in us as we bow to His faithful Word and give evidence that we are persons set under authority.
Features of great faith are:
1. Accepting Christ's Word to us and of us.
2. Taking the place of meriting no blessing because of what we are, yet claiming it because of who He is.
3. Loving and humbly serving the people of God.
4. Valuing the place of subjection the Lord Jesus assumed.
5. Following in the same path as the Lord Jesus.
Such may appear to be weakness by the world's standards, but it is, in fact, the fruit of great faith in which God finds delight.