Faith of the Centurion
The miracle of the Centurion’s servant (or son) was documented in three different books of the Bible: Matthew 8:5-13, Luke 4:1-10, & John 4:43-54. Each of the writers had a different experience or memory of the event. But all three of them teach the same outcome – Jesus does not need to touch a person (or even be in close proximity) to heal them.
Jesus Only Ministered to the Jews:
For the most part, Jesus only ministered to God’s chosen people (descendants of Abraham). So when the Centurion (a Roman Military Officer) came to Jesus, it was highly unusual. But the Centurion came very humbly and respectfully. He believed Jesus was the Messiah.
Centurion Came to Jesus:
The Centurion begged for healing of his servant (or son) who was paralyzed and suffering (Scriptures Matthew 8:5-13 Luke 7:1-10 John 4:43-54). Jesus asked him to take him to the boy, but the Centurion responded with something that surprised everyone. He told Jesus that he is not worthy of Jesus to come into his home and admitted he is a sinner. Being an officer, he sends people to go fight and a lot of them died; so he sends people to their death.
Centurion’s Faith:
Being full of faith, the Centurion told Jesus that he doesn’t have to touch the boy to heal him. Just say the word, and the boy would be healed. Nobody had spoken like this before. People traveled long distances to be where Jesus could touch them and heal them. The bleeding women had faith that if she could just touch Jesus’ garment, she would be healed. But nobody had faith that all Jesus had to do was say the word and not physically touch to heal.
Jesus Amazed at the Faith of the Centurion:
Jesus was amazed by the Centurion’s faith and said out loud to everyone who could hear that he had never seen such strong faith, not even in Israel. Even Jesus’ disciples who had seen many miracles did not have that much faith.
He told the Centurion to go home, his servant was healed. The Centurion went home and found his servant healed. The boy was healed at the exact moment Jesus spoke the word.
Same Message – Faith of the Centurion:
Even though the story is told a little differently by the different writers in Matthew, Luke, and John (Scriptures Matthew 8:5-13 Luke 7:1-10 John 4:43-54), it still has the same message for us. Jesus has no boundaries. He only needs to speak the word, and any miracle can happen.
We just need to have that kind of faith. A faith like the Centurion’s.
PDF: Faith of the Centurion – Servant Son Healed
See Part 1 #1-F: Miracles Today Bible Study Worksheet
Also See Part 3 #16: A Prayer for Discernment & Wisdom
See: Free Bible Study Worksheets
Also See: Part 3 – List of Prayers
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