Matthew 8:5-13
Luke 7:1-10
These passages report the incident of healing a centurion’s servant. Jesus was approached in one account by the centurion, and by messengers from the centurion in the other. In both accounts he communicates to Jesus his belief that Jesus can heal his servant without even coming to his home. Jesus does heal the servant from some distance. He comments on the centurion’s great faith. Luke 7:9b- “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.”
It is Jesus’ divinity which the centurion recognizes, I think. It is not just healing, but healing without physically touching or even seeing the servant. This takes real power, not suggestion or tricks or any other tactic. This is the power of God which the centurion recognized.
Do I have that kind of faith, Lord? Do I believe with all of my soul you can do anything? Is my lack of faith holding me back? Holy Father, bring me along with you and help me to see what you do. Open my eyes, God. Amen
Becky, transforming
Matthew 8:5-13
Luke 7:1-10
The centurion fully understood that Jesus’ healing power was not some sort of magic trick that required the presence of a magician, Instead he knew Jesus had true authority, and could command things to be done and completed without being physically present. The centurion showed great faith in Jesus and He understood that Jesus can heal with His word just as easily as with a touch. The man’s understanding of Jesus’ spiritual power made Jesus marvel. His simple confidence in the ability of Jesus’ mere word to heal showed a great faith that was worthy of praise. Faith is leaning entirely on God with absolute confidence in his power, wisdom and goodness. People of great fai…
Matthew 8: 5-13, Luke 7: 1-10
7 that is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed.
To have this kind of faith. I pray every day that I gain this type of faith. “Lord I am not worthy, but only say the words and I shall be healed.” This is the prayer I remember before communion. It is how I feel today. It is through this faith in Jesus that we are able to cope with life and get through the tough times. Sometimes I feel that my faith is not what it should be. I work on it daily.
Dearest Lord you are the…
The faith of this unnamed centurion was remarkable enough to be recorded in the Gospels. It is especially noteworthy that he was a Gentile, an officer of the Roman empire occupying Israel. Yet in Luke’s Gospel he is described as a friend of the Jewish people. Jesus said more than once He was sent to rescue the lost sheep of Israel, but this is just one example where faith trumped nationality and a Gentile was healed. The primacy of faith cannot be overemphasized. Hebrews 11:1 states it well: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Prayer - Jesus, we turn to You in faith, trusting God’s will for us in all circumstances.…
2021-0202 Tuesday, Daily Devotion - Matthew 8:10 (NIV)
10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.
Wow! What a great complement of Jesus! I wish I could hear this compliment from Jesus. The centurion’s faith is trust and belief in the power of the Word of Jesus even without physical contact such as seeing, listening, or contacting. What a great faith!
This centurion’s faith reminds the Word of Jesus for Thomas,
“Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” - John 20:29 (NIV)
I…