Many of us know who the greatest characters in the Bible are, and these include the Lord Jesus, Abraham, Moses, David, Elijah, and John the Baptist. Aside from the biggies, there are also other Bible figures worth noting for their faith, despite the fact that they only had brief appearances.
These people exhibited such great faith that even the Lord Jesus was outspokenly happy with some of them. Do you want to learn from these people? Here are some Bible characters who had short appearances in the Bible, but showed great faith.
1. The Roman officer – Matthew 8:5-13
“When Jesus returned … a Roman officer came and pleaded with him … Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.” But the officer said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed … When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following Him, he said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel!”
Here’s a man who knew what authority is about. This Roman officer knew that Jesus had such authority that he believed his request for the healing of his servant would be given him without the need for the Lord Jesus to personally come, but only needed to “say the word.”
Does your faith in God allow you to believe that His word will do what it says?
2. The woman with an issue of blood – Mark 5:25-34
“A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding … She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind Him through the crowd and touched His robe. For she thought to herself, ‘If I can just touch His robe, I will be healed.’ Immediately the bleeding stopped, and she could feel in her body that she had been healed of her terrible condition … Then the frightened woman, trembling at the realisation of what had happened to her, came and fell to her knees in front of Him and told Him what she had done. And He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.'”
This is another powerful story. This old woman struggled through the pressing crowds to “just touch [Jesus’] robe,” because she believed she would be healed if she could just do that. She didn’t need Jesus to touch her, or speak words to her. She only needed to touch Him and experience His power.
How about you? Does your faith allow you to believe that even just a slight touch of Jesus’ presence will heal you of whatever you are suffering from?
3. The Gentile woman – Matthew 15:21-28
“Then Jesus … went north to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Gentile woman who lived there came to him, pleading, ‘Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely.’ But Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word. Then his disciples urged Him to send her away … Then Jesus said to the woman, ‘I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep—the people of Israel.’ But she came and worshiped him, pleading again, ‘Lord, help me!’ Jesus responded, ‘It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.’ She replied, ‘That’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters’ table.’ ‘Dear woman,’ Jesus said to her, ‘your faith is great. Your request is granted.’ And her daughter was instantly healed.”
Jewish culture prohibits Jews from mingling with or even interacting with Gentiles, most especially women. Yet here was a Gentile woman who braved ridicule and possible rejection just so that she could get Jesus to heal her daughter who was “possessed by a demon that torments her severely.” Although Jesus didn’t reply at first, the woman kept urging and pressing on despite the disciples’ urging to send her away. In the end, Jesus granted her request, because her “faith is great.”
How about you? Would you brave all sorts of possible ridicule and opposition, even from friends and “Christians,” just so that you could humbly converse with the Lord to help you in your need?