"...He was astonished"

Before you read my blog, read Matthew 8. Do it.

Read it?

Okay.

I read Matthew 8 today. It's pretty much packed full of short and interesting and exciting bits and pieces of the life of Jesus. He healed a man with leprosy (which is why I chose this picture to your left), healed another man from miles away, healed the sick, the demon-possessed, calms a storm... Makes me wonder if this was in the span of a day or two. If so, I can't even imagine what the people around him were thinking. I, myself, would probably think he was a freak, be scared to death of him, I'd probably join in the gossip about Him. I know how sinful I am and I probably would have been one of the doubters. I wish I could be like the guy from verses 5-13. The Centurion. He had so much faith that he actually "astonished" Jesus! He surprised the One. How cool is that? I wish my faith surprised Jesus (in a good way). I feel like the only time I could astonish Jesus is when my LACK of faith is so great he's like "What the heck, Erin? Didn't I rescue you? Have a little more faith in me!"

What if we always tried to surprise Him? I know we technically can't pull one over on Him or anything, but if we tried, wouldn't that have some pretty cool results?

Like the Centurion believed that He could do anything and that Jesus has ultimate authority, I want to believe that He can do anything and that He has the ultimate authority. Nothing is too far-fetched or too crazy. I can ask believing that He can do it because He can do ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING.

I can ask for the salvation of every person I meet. I can ask for the opportunities to share about Him and I can have faith that He can and will give those to me.