When Jesus Marveled (Baggett)
by Michael R. Baggett
There are many occasions when individuals and crowds marveled at the gracious words and mighty miracles of Jesus. Did you know there were times when Jesus marveled at individuals and groups? There were ways people behaved that caused Jesus to observe with wonder.
On one occasion, Jesus returned to his hometown of Nazareth and spoke to them in the synagogue. The people remembered Him as the hometown boy and could not accept that He spoke with wisdom and performed mighty deeds. They said, “’Is not this the carpenter, The Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?’ So, they were offended at Him” (Mark 6:1-3). Going on down to Mark 6:6, it says, “And He marveled because of their unbelief.”
Why were they offended by Jesus? Something was different about Jesus. Jesus is not just Mary’s son who works as a carpenter. Now, Jesus is preaching to crowds and healing the sick. The mighty works Jesus did were meant to cause people to believe in Him. Many of the miracles Jesus performed are written in the gospels. Why? They are written so that we might believe He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God (John 20:30-31). It is such a sad commentary that the people in Jesus 'own hometown rejected the clear signs, and Jesus must marvel at their unbelief.
On another occasion, a centurion pleaded with Jesus to heal his paralyzed servant lying in bed at home. When Jesus told him He would go to his home and heal him, the centurion replied in an unexpected manner:
“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!’” (Matthew 8:8-10).
Notice the humility expressed by this commander of 100 Roman soldiers: “I am not worthy that You should come under my roof.” This humility is followed by a statement expressing strong faith that Jesus can heal his servant with only a word from where He is now. He compares His belief in Jesus’ authority over sickness and disease to his own authority over soldiers who serve under him: “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.” This is what got Jesus’ attention. Jesus commends the Centurion: “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!’” Jesus marveled, not only because of this man’s faith, but because he had demonstrated a faith stronger than any faith He had found in Israel! The people to whom He was sent to seek and to save largely rejected Him! (Luke 19:10; John 1:11-12). Jesus marvels at a Gentile who just unknowingly showed up the Jewish people, demonstrating greater faith!
Could Jesus commend your great faith? How would you grade yourself? Everyone falls into at least two categories: unbelief or belief. Further, belief or faith falls into two sub-categories: little faith and much faith. Would Jesus marvel at your unbelief or at your great faith?
What will Jesus be looking for when He returns? Jesus will seek real faith when He returns to judge the world. Jesus said, “'When the Son of man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?'" (Luke 18:8).
How about your faith? If you do not believe in Jesus Christ, or you have doubts, can we talk about it? There is more than ample evidence that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah spoken of by the Old Testament prophets and revealed to us in the New Testament. Even historians who lived in Jesus’ day wrote about Him. It is my prayer that all who read these articles will come to faith in and obedience to Jesus (Hebrews 5:8-9). Jesus is for real. May Jesus marvel at your great faith and not your unbelief when He returns.
