Jesus was not easily amazed. But if anything could truly astonish Him, it was people’s faith.
Let’s recall a story from the Gospel of Mark 6: 1-6. When Jesus returned to His hometown, He began teaching in the synagogue. The people there knew His family. So when they heard the wisdom with which He spoke, they asked each other in astonishment, “Can the carpenter’s son really be this wise?”
And when they saw Jesus heal a few sick people, they again asked in amazement, “How can a carpenter do such extraordinary things?” They marveled at His wisdom and the small miracles He performed by grace. But Jesus was amazed at their unbelief, which prevented Him from healing many of the sick.
Now, let’s recall another story from the Gospel of Luke 7: 1-10. A Roman centurion had a servant who was gravely ill. So he sent Jewish elders to ask Jesus to come and heal him. When Jesus was not far from his house, the officer sent his friends with a message that astonished Christ to the core: “Jesus, just say the word, and my servant will be healed!”
Jesus was amazed at the depth of faith this man had – even though he did not belong to God’s chosen people! The Lord was impressed that the Roman officer understood spiritual principles that the religious people of that time could not grasp. The centurion believed in the power of words spoken with authority. He knew that soldiers must obey every command given by their commander.
John 1: 12 says, “Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” What does this mean? Those who accept Christ and believe in Him are given the right to be His children. You have the same authority and abilities that Christ had when He lived on earth.
Jesus Himself confirmed this in John 14: 12: “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in Me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these.” When you speak words with faith, God empowers them. Then the invisible spiritual reality begins to change. Remember, the visible came from the invisible.
That is why you must fill yourself with God’s Word and believe in it. Then, look at your unfavorable circumstances or illnesses and declare God’s prophetic Word with faith. Jesus Himself encourages us to do this. Mark 11: 22-24 says:
Your faith must align with God’s standards. I assure you that My words are true. So any of you can say, “Mountain, move from your place! Go and throw yourself into the sea!” But you must not allow doubt in your heart. Instead, you must believe that the mountain will obey your words. Then you will see the result of what you have spoken. That is why I tell you: “Believe that you have already received everything you ask from God, and you will see the answer to your prayer.”
