Matthew 8:10-12

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When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 8:10-12
I don't see how Jesus could be more clear in Matthew of what will happen when judgement day comes. Six times Jesus warns us in crystal clear terms (Matt 13:42, Matt 13:49-50, Matt 22:13, Matt 24:51 and Matt 25:30)

Believe in me, he is declaring. Believe in me, or on judgement day you will be left out in the cold, in the dark, separated from God, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

That last phrase is an unusual one, especially today. But it means a show of anger or dismay, and it's especially directed at the Jews, God's "Chosen People," the ones who have been promised a Savior, the Messiah, the Christ, who would rescue them. Jesus is warning the chosen ones that they are going to be mighty mad when they realize they missed the boat ... because they refused to believe ... AGAIN.

I zoomed in on today's passage in particular, even though the six references to weeping and gnashing of teeth are equally effective. In this parable, Jesus clearly identifies how those who believe in Jesus will be saved, and those who don't will be cast aside. The Centurion isn't one of the chosen. But he clearly believes. The Jews think they are righteous, but they don't believe.

"Shall I come and heal him?" Jesus asks the sinner, a Roman persecutor.

"No, Lord. I don't deserve to have you grace my doorstep," he replies. "I am not worthy of your presence. Please, just say the word, and my son will be healed. I believe it."

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. A true believer, God declared. A true believer in the Son of God. Who told him that Jesus was the Son of God?


Jews around the country witnessed Jesus healing people, on command. They had been waiting their whole lives for him. They had been looking for him. They knew he was coming. And yet they refused to believe when he did. But there was this Centurion: Truly, Jesus had not found one man with as much faith.

Jesus doesn't mince his words: Believe in me, he says, and you will be saved (Mark 16:16; John 11:26; John 12:44; John 14:11).

Just believe, or at least believe in one of his miracles (John 10:38).

Believe.

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