A Miracle About Faith 🛡️: How Jesus Healed A Centurion's Servant
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I, Matthew, witnessed a miracle! Join me on the dusty roads of ancient Capernaum to hear the amazing miracle performed by Jesus, a Roman centurion, and a servant's healing. Discover the power of faith and what life was like long ago.
Healing Of The Centurion's Servant Matthew 8: 5-13
Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him,
saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.”
And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”
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.”
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!
“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.”
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.
A Day in Capernaum
I remember it as if it were yesterday. The morning sun was already high in the sky, warming the air and the dusty roads of Capernaum, our busy fishing village. 🐟 I was following Jesus, listening to His wonderful teachings.
Everyone was buzzing with excitement! People walked the streets, wearing simple tunics and robes, and carrying baskets of freshly caught fish and loaves of bread. Children played in the dirt, their laughter echoing off the stone houses. We all had our daily chores: mending nets, grinding grain for bread, or tending to our homes.
Suddenly, a man in a fancy military uniform came up to Jesus. He was a centurion, a Roman soldier in charge of one hundred men. We Israelites didn't often talk to Roman soldiers, but this man's face was filled with worry. He was a powerful man, but he looked so humble and sad. He knelt before Jesus, a surprising sight to all of us who watched.
The Roman Centurion Cried To Jesus for Help
The centurion's voice was filled with great sadness. "Lord," he pleaded, "my servant is at home, paralyzed and in terrible pain." He spoke about his servant as if he were his own son. In those days, a servant was often a part of the family, living under the same roof and sharing in daily life. The centurion’s home, built from sun-baked bricks and stones, probably had an inner courtyard where his family and servants lived together.
Jesus, with His kind eyes, looked at the centurion and said, "I will come and heal him." Imagine that! The great Jesus, the Son of God, offering to step into a Roman's house!
But the centurion shook his head. "Lord," he said, "I am not worthy for You to come under my roof."
Do you know what he meant? We Jews have certain customs. Jewish rabbis like Jesus did not enter the homes of Roman in order to avoid becoming "unclean." The centurion didn't want to make things difficult for Jesus. He truly understood who Jesus was!
The Centurion Demonstrated A Lesson in Faith
The centurion explained his amazing belief. "Just speak the word," he insisted, "and my servant will be healed. For I am a man under authority, and I have soldiers under me. I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes. I say to another, 'Come,' and he comes. And I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."
He was telling Jesus that He had authority! When he spoke his servants and soldiers obeyed his commands. He believed that Jesus' words had authority and that His Words could heal the servant. The centurion had amazing faith and believed that Jesus's word alone was powerful enough to heal. He knew that Jesus didn't even need to come to his house to heal his servant.
When Jesus heard this, He was amazed! He turned to the crowd of people who were following Him. "Listen closely," Jesus said. "I have not found such great faith anywhere in Israel!"
The centurion's statements were a big deal to Jesus. For a Gentile—a non-Jewish person—to have this kind of faith was a miracle in itself.
Jesus then looked at the centurion. "Go your way," He said, "and as you have believed, so let it be done for you."
That very hour, the centurion's servant was healed! What a powerful word Jesus spoke!
What Can We Learn From The Centurion's Faith?
This story shows us how faith can move mountains, or in this case, heal a person from a distance. The centurion trusted Jesus completely, even though he wasn't from our people. His faith was not based on seeing, but on believing in Jesus’s authority.
We can learn to have faith like the centurion. We don’t have to see Jesus with our own eyes to believe He is the Son of God. We can trust His words and know that He is in control.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is a centurion?
A centurion was a Roman army officer who was in charge of about 100 soldiers. They were powerful and respected men.
Where is Capernaum?
Capernaum was a fishing village on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee. It was a bustling and important town in the time of Jesus. The homes there were often built close together, with narrow, winding streets. This is where Jesus often stayed and taught.
What is "faith"?
Faith is a strong belief and trust in God. The centurion had great faith in Jesus, meaning he had a deep belief that Jesus had the power to heal his servant.
Conclusion
This story, which I saw with my own eyes, shows us the incredible power of Jesus's words and the amazing faith of a man who was not even one of us. It teaches us that anyone can have great faith in Jesus, no matter who they are or where they come from. It reminds us that Jesus is the Son of God, and His Word is all that is needed to make things happen.
Click here to learn more about Jesus' amazing miracles.
References
Brown, J. P. (2016). Customs of ancient Israel. Hendrickson Publishers.
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