Big Idea: Jesus is a worthy savior. He is the one who forgives sins. He is the one who overcomes sin and death. He is the one who grants us victory in our battle against sin. Those who belong to Christ’s kingdom are those who put their full faith and trust in him. Jesus saves us. Our faith ought never be separated from the one who is worthy of our trust.
___________ _______________ _____________
Luke 7:9–10 (ESV) — 9 When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” 10 And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well.
Everything in this chapter heightens the reasons for why we should trust him. The stories of healing of the Centurion’s servant and the widows son are examples of Jesus power over sickness and death. They are given not as a model necessarily, but as a means of confidence in Christ. When we say that Jesus is the object of our faith we are saying that our faith rests in Him.
John 20:24–29 (ESV) — 24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” 26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Jesus authority to grant salvation spans the continents and the centuries. Jesus is the object of our faith because he is not limited to time and space. He is Savior all the time and all the time he is savior.
Romans 10:13 (ESV) — 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
___________ ______________ ________________
Luke 7:47–50 (NASB95) — 47 “For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 Then He said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven.” 49 Those who were reclining at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?” 50 And He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
If we are not careful we will begin to see our faith as the linchpin, as the determiner of our success. It is not. The object of our faith is so much more important than the exercise of our faith, although the exercise of our faith should not be diminished.
“Faith rests in the person of Christ—coming, hearing, seeing, trusting, taking, embracing, knowing, rejoicing, loving, and triumphing. It leaves its case in the hand of Christ as the great Physician, taking his prescriptions, following his directions, and trusting in his finished work and ongoing intercession. Luther said, ‘Faith takes hold of Christ and has Him present, enclosing Him as the ring encloses the gem.’ Faith wraps the soul in Christ’s righteousness. It appropriates with a believing heart the perfect righteousness, satisfaction, and holiness of Christ. It counts the efficacy of Christ’s obedience and blood as the righteousness of God himself. It weds the soul to Christ; experiences divine pardon and acceptance in the Beloved, and makes the soul partake of every covenant mercy.” –Joel Beeke; Reformed Systematic Theology
Questions to Consider
In what ways are you trusting in Christ’s salvation in your life? What does it look like for you to trust him moment by moment?
