Amazing Faith
The Gospel of Luke
Todd Blansit
July 6, 2025
Luke 7:1–10
Faith That Crosses Boundaries
Sometimes we act like God can only work within our tribe, our denomination, our community, our nation. But here’s a Roman soldier, an outsider in every possible way, who ends up having more faith than the people who should’ve recognized Jesus first. The gospel breaks down boundaries. It reminds us that God doesn’t look at your passport, your background, or your résumé. He looks at your heart.
This is good news. It means no one is too far, too foreign, too unlikely for the grace of God.
Faith That Is Humble
This man has power. He commands soldiers. He gives orders. But when it comes to Jesus, he knows his place. He knows that no amount of influence or charity makes him entitled to anything from God.
That’s the right posture. When we come to Jesus, we don’t come saying, Look what I’ve done. We come saying, I need you. I’m not worthy, but I believe you can help. Faith isn’t about proving we’ve earned a miracle. It’s about knowing we haven’t, and still trusting that God is merciful.
Faith That Understands Authority
The next thing that makes this man’s faith remarkable is his grasp of authority.
He says, I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell one, Go, and he goes; another, Come, and he comes.
What’s he saying?
He’s saying, Jesus, I get how this works. I know what authority looks like. You don’t need to be physically present. Your word is enough. Just say it, and it will be done.
When we really trust Jesus, we don’t need to see signs and wonders every time. We believe that his word still has power, even when we don’t feel it. Even when we can’t trace it. That’s the kind of faith that amazes Jesus.
Faith That Intercedes
It’s not just faith for me. It’s faith for others. It’s intercessory. It stands in the gap.
Real faith doesn’t hoard God’s power for itself. It shares it. It lifts others up. It says, Lord, I’m not asking because I’m worthy. I’m asking because I believe you can do something, and I care about this person.
Faith That Amazes Jesus
Let that sink in: Jesus was amazed.
There are only two times in the Gospels where Jesus is said to be amazed. One is here—at great faith. The other is in Mark 6, where he’s amazed at the lack of faith in his hometown.
One amazes him in hope. The other in heartbreak.
So what would amaze Jesus about your faith today?
Would he marvel at how you trust him, even when life is hard and you don’t have all the answers? Or would he be amazed at how little room he has in your daily thoughts, how little you expect him to do?
I don’t say that to shame anyone. I say it because this story challenges us. If a Roman soldier—a foreigner, a Gentile, someone outside the religious system—could have such clear, humble, powerful faith, what’s stopping us?
Maybe we’ve made faith too complicated. Maybe we’ve dressed it up in religious language, theological jargon, performance. But this man strips it down to something raw and real:
Jesus, I’m not worthy. But I trust you. Just say the word.
So here’s the challenge:What kind of faith do we bring to Jesus today?
If this message spoke to you today and you would like to respond, click the link below and let us know. We want to pray for you.
Tap here to let us know that you raised your hand