The Faith of the Centurion
Matthew 8:5-13
New King James Version (NKJV)
5 Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, 6 saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.”
7 And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”
8 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. 9 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.”
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! 11 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. 12 But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 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.
Luke 7:1-10
New King James Version (NKJV)
Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant
7 Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum. 2 And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die. 3 So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, 5 “for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue.”
6 Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. 7 Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
9 When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” 10 And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.
The Miracle of healing a Centurion's Servant has some very important lessons in our lives:
Jesus Hears what the Centurion first said about the situation:
Jesus shows us the way that "God listens to the prayers" by listening to what this Centurion has to say, when he said “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.”
This one sentence from Centurion would be enough to know what the situation is and what the solution required from Jesus. He placed the right words to state the exact situation, as the servant was sick and ready to die.
Pleading (the action of making an emotional or earnest appeal to someone.)
Here the Centurion's action is much directed in asking, requesting and calling God for help. when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant.
Jesus saw that the Centurion had Concern for others, that he showed Empathy to his Servant:
The Centurion showed utmost care for his fellow beings by being concerned for their problems, This is very clear when he says “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.” He not only had concern but also acted very diligently to ensure the fellow being is saved.
Jesus knows that the Centurion had Humility, When the Centurion said he is not worthy for Jesus to come under his roof:
As the Centurion said about his situation of how his servant is and when Jesus says “I will come and heal him.” The centurion answered and said, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof.
When the Centurion says about his power and authority, For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” He says with the confidence in the power and authority of God. He considered himself as worthless previously, but here he says about his authority only to acknowledge the authority of God, that God with his power and authority could do anything. His presence of mind and knowledge of God has landed him in the right place as Jesus first marveled, Secondly he said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!
Jesus finally heals the Centurion's Servant:
Jesus answers the Centurion's faith by saying and acknowledging -
“Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour.
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