Early in the earthly Ministry of Jesus after His Sermon on the Mount, He was returning to Capernaum and He was approached by two people. Two people who had great faith. One a leper and one was a Roman centurion. The witness and words of the centurion was such that we are told that Jesus marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith.”

What is faith? The Book of Hebrews defines faith as “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” There are many things in this life that we believe are true, not because we have done experiments ourselves to prove that it is true, but because we trust that it is true. For example: how many of us, have ever seen an oxygen molecule? None of us, I would suppose, have seen an actual tiny microscopic oxygen molecule in its atomic level, yet we are told that it exists. The evidence for its existence is there even as we know and can see that we need something like oxygen to breathe.

What is faith, when it comes to things that pertain to our promise of life eternal, matters of our salvation, that which directs and guides the basis of our existence as persons and people of God? Faith must have an object. Faith is not just a vague hope or idea in something general. Faith can only be an assurance and hope based in something specific especially for salvation, for ongoing assurance, comfort and strength.

For many, their faith is in the concrete visible things of this world, the strength of government, of armies, faith in money, their own work skills, businesses, or workplaces, that the strength of their youth and one’s own arms and backs will get them through any tough times. Then faith in friends and family will fill in the gap hoping they will be there for help and comfort in times of need.

Now these aren’t necessarily bad things, especially if we see them through the lens of faith in God: that they are instruments through which God blesses us for a time here on earth to protect and provide for our physical needs and our neighbors. However, these physical things will all fail at some point: governments become corrupt, armies may lose battles, money is fast fleeting and empty, work skill requirements may out pace ones’ ability to adapt, our bodies may become weak and frail by illness and old age, friends and family may turn on us or be inconsistent in their help, they may move away, they too may become weak or die and cannot be there to help.

None of these can comfort or give us lasting and eternal hope and peace.

Every false religion out there preaches that faith, hope, salvation, and assurance can be placed into an object that can be seen, touched, and felt: Ourselves. But you and I know that we fail every day. Fail in our thoughts, in our reactions, our intentions, and if our hope is only in and for this life, we are the most to be pitied.

That is what is so remarkable about the faith of the leper and the Centurion in today’s text. Their faith was placed outside themselves. They both understood that they could only receive their request by believing in One who is merciful and more powerful and Holy than themselves. The leper came to receive mercy for himself, the Centurion came on behalf of another: his beloved slave who was suffering terribly. The centurion understood that as a sinner and a Gentile sinner he was not worthy of such a Holy visitor. He trusted that Jesus had far more power and authority than He had shown to that point in His Ministry. The centurion understood his own unworthiness under the law and that he did not deserve mercy, yet, he was given the eyes of faith to perceive Jesus as the Christ and Messiah!

He even called Jesus: “Lord”. That is profound! How strange that a Roman officer would call a Jewish man, “Lord” or Kurios. In calling Jesus, Lord, he was giving Him the title of ruler and master even over himself. This was a title reserved for the emperor.

He understood, by faith, that Jesus had authority and command; not just earthly command, but command over heaven and earth, that He was the Son of God. He understood that He had no right to ask favors of Jesus because of his own Gentile uncleanness and sin yet for the sake of mercy on his slave, he interceded. In Luke's Gospel the centurion referred to him not as "his slave" in this sentence but "pais" or "his child". He said in faith, "Only say the Word and he will be healed." Even as the leper said: "if it is your will, you can make me clean". Both knew that Jesus could demand obedience from the disease even as an officer could a soldier, or a master a slave.

Great faith as Jesus pointed out is lived out and confessed in a spirit of humility, of submission and gratitude. Not "Give me what I want or else.", not a "How dare you judge me?" attitude. This is a faith that can only be given by the Holy Spirit through the power of God's Word.

Have we always shown the kind of faith of the centurion or leper? Let us then repent of our hard-heartedness and with a humble hope pray for mercy to receive the Word of God and trust the power of that Word to forgive, strengthen and heal that faith in Jesus Christ. We need this Word of God each and every day, as individuals: and as members of this household of faith. We need this reminder and true strength over and against our flesh which so longer desires faith only in the things of this world.

The Word that we need to overcome our unbelief is Jesus Christ. He, God’s only Son, came down to earth to show God’s mercy, to preach and teach, and finally take the punishment of sin which we deserved. We who were enslaved in our sin, death, and unbelief. Behold and wonder that the true Master dies for slaves: to heal them and command them to be set free from the clutches of the devil.

This He has done again, today in Confession and Absolution, returning us to the Grace of our baptisms, when God first commanded the disease of sin and unbelief to leave you and me. He gives you faith by His Word to believe in that higher power outside yourself: Jesus Christ crucified and raised.

He healed us, and continues to heal us, so that we may grow in His grace and cling to Him and His cross, so that together we may live in His harmony as His people. So that His good in us can overcome evil from within and from without.

So have faith in the proclamation that it does what it says it will, that His works would be received by the very faith which His Word and sacraments give. So that even though we cannot see His Spirit working in Holy Baptism, we see its effect. Even though we cannot feel His touch we taste it in the Lord’s supper, can observe the fruits of His forgiveness as He pours His love into our hearts. And we in turn love one another and care for each other.

We still live in the flesh, but now we live by faith in the Son of God who loved us and gave Himself for us. This is the hope that will never fail us. This is the promise that is ever sure: God loves you and gave Himself for you. He intercedes to the Father on Your behalf even now. You have confessed your sins, you are declared healed of your sins by the wounds of Christ’s sacrifice. You are forgiven for Jesus Christ’s sake, changed by His Holy Spirit, and reconciled to the Father through the Son and given faith.

So enrich that faith, by continuing to come to receive His grace and strength which feeds that faith, and cleanses us by His powerful grace. In humble thanksgiving we gather here to confess this faith in response to His Word, to receive His gifts and be strengthened in that confession throughout our lives as we hear again and repeat again God’s promises. As we hear and receive, we become more assured of that hope which is in Christ, and more convinced even in the true reality which cannot be seen with earthly eyes.

As we listen to His voice, we are more prepared to give an answer to those who ask what we believe and point them to Jesus Christ. And yes, also more able to recognize and refute any false teachings that would direct faith to something other than Jesus Christ.

We are called together to pray for one another, that we would be kept steadfast by God’s Word. To share in each other’s joys and lift each other up in trial.

Having been examined, having confessed, having been absolved by the will of God for our salvation, we can come in peace and the unity of Christ’s teaching to receive the true body and blood of Jesus Christ crucified and risen for the forgiveness of sin and a balm for our healing.

God keep you and give you great faith to now speak, live, and confess Christ crucified in your life. He is your great assurance through this life unto the life eternal which He has prepared for you in His joy and in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Pr. Aaron Kangas