In Matthew 8:5-13, we have the story of a Roman centurion coming to Jesus asking that He would heal his servant.  A Roman centurion—an outsider, a Gentile, a representative of the occupying force—approaches Jesus with a request that reveals a faith deeper than anything found in Israel. What kind of faith does Jesus marvel at?

The centurion came to Jesus, pleading with Him. “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.” And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him” (Matthew 8:6-7). Notice the centurion’s heart: he cares deeply for a servant which is rare compassion for an officer of rank.  He comes personally; he did not delegate; he demonstrated humility and not pride.  He calls Jesus “Lord” which is an expression of respect and submission.  Even before a miracle occurred, we understand the heart of the centurion to be humble and loving. Jesus responds “I will come and heal him.” Jesus is willing, accessible, compassionate and not a respecter of persons. This shows the heart of our Saviour. 

Mathew 8:8-9  “The centurion answered and said, ‘Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.’”  What the centurion says further reveals his heart. “I am not worthy.”  He recognizes his unworthiness and demonstrates his genuine humility. Great faith is never proud.  Great faith bows low so that Christ can be exalted. The centurion believes that Jesus’ word is enough.  Not His presence; not His touch; not His physical arrival.  Just His word.

The centurion explains.  “For I also am a man under authority.”  He knows how authority works.  When he speaks, soldiers obey. His word carries power because of the authority behind it. He recognizes that Jesus has authority far greater than what he has.  He believes that sickness obeys Jesus.  He believes that Jesus has the power to heal paralysis.  He believes that distance is irrelevant for Jesus. The essence of great faith is confidence in the absolute authority of Christ.

Matthew 8:10  “When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!’”  Jesus marveled.  The Bible records only twice that Jesus marveled.  He marveled at the unbelief in Nazareth (Mark 6:6). Now He marvels at the great faith of the Gentile centurion. Then He turns to the crowd and says “I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” God’s people (the Israelites) had the scriptures, the covenants, the promises, and the prophets; they should have had faith like this man.  But they didn’t. Instead, Jesus found a Roman centurion without the religious background of God’s people, and that man had great faith.

Matthew 8:11-12  “And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” In other words, Gentiles will enter the kingdom but the Jews, who presumed that they were secure, will be cast out.  This teaches us that faith brings salvation, not proximity to religion.  Today, just because you are associated with the church does not mean that you are saved.  You must accept Jesus in faith and obedience.

Matthew 8:13  “Then Jesus said to the centurion, ‘Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.’ And his servant was healed that same hour.” Just as the centurion believed, the servant was healed.  No travel. No laying on of hands. No ritual.  No delay. Just the word of Jesus.  The centurion had faith, Jesus had the authority, and the result was a miracle.

We have a somewhat similar story in Matthew 15:21-28 “Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, ‘Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.’ But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, ‘Send her away, for she cries out after us.’ But He answered and said, ‘I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’  Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, ‘Lord, help me!’ But He answered and said, ‘It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.’ And she said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.’ Then Jesus answered and said to her, ‘O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.’ And her daughter was healed from that very hour.”  This woman was also a Gentile.  Jesus initially did not want to satisfy her request because He had been sent to the Jews and she was not a Jew.  She pled with Jesus and used the analogy of little dogs eating the crumbs that fall from the dinner table.  All she was asking for was to be given a crumb of Jesus’ power.  Her persistence, humility, and great faith won the heart of Jesus.

In the case of the centurion and the case of the Canaanite woman, they each were making a request for Jesus to heal someone close to them. They had great faith that Jesus had the power and authority to satisfy their requests.  I encourage you to have great faith – faith that Jesus Christ is the Son of God; faith that God has the power to satisfy your requests; faith that your sins are washed away by the blood of Jesus; faith that you have eternal life and a home prepared for you in heaven; faith that all things in your life work together for your good because you love the Lord (Romans 8:28); faith that the Lord is your helper and that He will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). There are other promises of God that you should trust in faith. Live your life with great faith.

I encourage you to trust in God with your whole heart. Hebrews 11:6  “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”