Jesus said, “”I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” (Luke 7:9)

Jesus was surprised by the centurion’s faith. The centurion was a soldier of the Roman Empire that occupied Jesus’ Jewish people militarily, dominated them economically, and threatened pious Jewish faith with Roman deities.

Yet Jesus didn’t write off Romans as people-who-don’t-get-it. He met this centurion where he was at, as an individual, as someone in whom the spark of faith can be kindled. And Jesus was surprised.

Who are you tempted to write off? People of another race? Political party? People who hold different biblical interpretations?

Meet them where they’re at. You might be surprised.