Jesus: a Model of Faith
The Man on the Cross (Luke 23:39-43)
While Jesus was hanging on the cross, one of the men sarcastically asked him why he couldn't save himself. Another man then says that he and the other man deserve to be hanging on the crosses, but Jesus had done no wrong. He then asks Jesus to forgive him, and Jesus replies "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."
In this section of the Gospel of Luke, Jesus, while dying on a cross, shows faith by telling the man hastily that he will arrive in the kingdom "today." It was probably hard enough for Jesus to comprehend what the man was saying (i would imagine that they are relatively spread out) and to have a short conversation with him while suffocating to death. the man also shows a great deal of faith putting his life in Jesus' hands asking for forgiveness. Jesus, being a faithful man, grants him hasty forgiveness and a seat in the Kingdom of God.
The Widow’s Offering (Mark 12:41-44)
In this passage, a poor widow approached the church, amidst all of rich people dropping a small fortune into the collection, and she placed the only "two small silver coins" that she had into the basket. She put in all she had to live on. Jesus told his deciples that even though she only put in two pennies, she put in more than all the others, because that was the only money she had.
The widow gives all the money she has, showing great faith that God will protect her. She put her earthly needs aside and gave everything she had straight to God. This faith is amazing. I cannot even imagine giving 100% of my money to the church. I can't even imagine giving 20%. This widow showed a huge ammount of faith in God, that he would provide for her, and that he would help her to survive without and material possessions. (This woman reminds me of Mother Theresa.
Jesus Heals a Leper (Luke 5:12-16)
While traveling, Jesus encountered a man with leprosy. Upon seeing Jesus, the man flung himself on the ground and asked for Jesus to heal him. He did so in a way that agve Jesus an option. Jesus simply touched him and he was healed. He then told the man to go show a priest so he could be admitted into the community.
The leper shows a great deal of faith in Jesus by believing so much that he would throw himself onto the ground and beg. Most men wouldn't sacrifice their dignity unless they were sure of some sort of act of pure goodness. He also trusted Jesus so much that he Gave Jesus the option to say no. He trusted Jesus' ability to heal him, but he also trusted Jesus' will to heal him. He believed that since Jesus' is good he would want to heal him, which he did.