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The Sermon on the Mount was not a soothing sermon to the ears of the religious establishment in Jerusalem. In fact, it was just the opposite; it pointed out the spiritual deficiencies in the power-mongers who “sat in Moses seat.” When Jesus was through with that discourse, there could be little doubt as to the fate of those who followed the blind guides who took to themselves the task of leading Israel! However, other events in the life of Jesus would further accentuate the truths that He began revealing on the mountain where His most famous sermon was delivered.

“Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, saying, 'Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.' And Jesus said to him, 'I will come and heal him.' 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! And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' Then Jesus said to the centurion, 'Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.' And his servant was healed that same hour.” (Matthew 8.5-13).

The truth that Jesus brought to Israel was not just for Israel! The short but pointed account of the healing of the centurion's servant makes this abundantly clear. There are four points to this story that need to focused upon to understand just how much Jesus loved the truth and the extent to which he hated error. Our focus this week will be upon these four things.

First, the possibility of effectual faith did not terminate at the borders of Israel, nor did faith automatically permeate all who inhabited Israel! For years the descendants of Abraham had pictured themselves as the religious elite and flaunted that assumed position at every possible occasion. Even one of their prophets (Jonah) apparently momentarily assumed the same conclusion and ran away from God when he was told to go and preach to the men of Nineveh (non-Jews). Now this centurion (a Gentile soldier) comes to Jesus and he is commended for having faith that excelled that which Jesus had observed in Israel! What a slap in the face of the religious elitists who hawked their wares in Jerusalem! However, one must remember that Jesus had said, “...unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5.20). This occasion with the centurion was but an extension and application of that truth spoken on the mountain side!

Theoretical truth may “hurt” a little; truth in application “hurts” a lot! Jesus believed in truth in application! It was not enough to speak words that were true; He had to live them in all that He did! That is our Lord! He expects no less of us! (continued)

Questions:

1. What is the difference in theoretical truth and truth in application?

2. What was so spectacular about the faith of the centurion? How did he obtain such faith?

3. Name a time in the ministry of Jesus when even His closest fiends did not possess such faith (Hint – see John 11).

4. List some contemporary issues which lie dormant until someone attempts to make application of theoretical truth (consider racial injustice, abortion, spiritual apathy, etc.).

"'Christ in You...'" from Dale Krebbs

Time And Chance