Posted on 07/18/2025 4:41:09 AM PDT by metmom
“Jesus said to him, ‘I will come and heal him.’ But the centurion said, ‘Lord, I am not worthy for You to come under my roof, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed.’ . . . Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who were following, ‘Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel’” (Matthew 8:7–8, 10).
The centurion here—an officer in charge of a hundred soldiers—was undoubtedly a God-fearing Gentile. Jesus knew his heart and did not need to hear a direct request from anyone for healing of the servant. And indeed the centurion was so humble, he felt unworthy to have Jesus come into his house.
That the centurion twice called Jesus “Lord” shows a lot more than simple courtesy. The soldier was affirming that Christ was the Son of God, able to heal the man’s paralyzed servant. He knew that only a powerful word from Jesus, uttered inside or outside the house, would be adequate.
In His humanity Jesus was amazed that the Roman centurion showed more real faith than He had found in many Jews. Although a number of Jews had already believed in the Lord, none had manifested the kind of sincerity, sensitivity, humility, love, and deep faith this Gentile had just displayed. On several occasions Jesus would reprimand even the Twelve for their lack of faith (Matt. 8:26; John 14:9).
The good news of salvation originated from Israel (Matt. 1:1–23). But that benefit comes to all who believe, not just to a certain ethnic group. God ordained in His redemptive plan that the Savior, His own Son, be born, live, and die as a Jew. But the fact that any Jew makes it to heaven will not be because he or she was a Jew like Jesus, but because of saving faith. This principle applies to everyone of every nationality.
Ask Yourself
How do you respond to the call for greater faith—especially like that of someone in a different class or station than you?
Are you resentful of the implication?
Convinced you can never be that way?
Or are you driven to your knees in a prayerful appeal for faith at all costs?
Studying God’s Word ping
I have told this to PTSD sufferers, the centurion knew killing intimately, it was his job and it was for the state, it was not murder, and Jesus never even mentions it because soldiering is a legitimate role.
For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.
12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97a0fLC4S-0
Excellent point. Thanks, from an old Cold Warrior.
From the 1970s mini-series, "Jesus of Nazareth." This is my favorite of the depictions of Jesus' life and ministry.
Amen
Yes, that is the best one, the only one I watch.
Borgnine did an awesome job!..... the power that he had as a Centurian, but he somehow knew that his power had nothing compared to Jesus’ power. And the way he looked back on Jesus when his troops ran to him to tell him his servant was healed.... that is amazing. He knew he was looking at someone special!
In contrast to John Wayne's laughable interpretation of the Centurion in "The Greatest Story Ever Told."
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