July 5th, 2026: The Believing Centurion | Matthew 8:5-13

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6).

 Jesus had just finished the Sermon on the Mount. People continued to gather around Him. Whether you are new to church or have been around church a long time, you know that the words “faith” and “believing” are frequently interchangeable. The book of Hebrews defines faith for us:  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1). Are Faith and Believing the same thing?  James says Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. (James 2:19). Faith is belief in action.  It is safe to say that all faith starts with  believing, but not all believing rises to become faith.  Where are you in your walk with God?  In today’s lesson, Jesus marveled at the faith of a Roman Centurion.  Could He  marvel at your faith? 

 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.

Capernaum was noted in scripture as a place where many healings and miracles were performed.    It is a fishing village on the Sea of Galilee also known as Lake Kinneret.  Capernaum was where Jesus most often worked during His earthly ministry. From this village Jesus called the disciples Peter, Andrew and Matthew. 

Today Capernaum, as a city, is non-existent. The area is known as Kfar Nahum. It is not an inhabited town but rather an archaeological and pilgrimage site. Though Jesus lived, taught and healed here, the area was condemned to ruin.  And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell. ( Luke 10:15).  It would have been hard to believe at the time of Jesus that Capernaum would ever be destroyed. 

The Jewish people of Capernaum physically saw and heard, yet rejected Jesus’ message. They believed that Jesus existed. They saw him. They believed His miracles.  They knew the people that had been healed. Yet, many did not surrender to Him, they didn’t have faith in His authority as God.  Unexpectedly, a  gentile living among them  pleaded for Jesus to heal his servant.  Jesus’ answer was no doubt surprising.  

And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.

 In Luke’s writing, (Luke Chapter 7), we see that there is more to the story.  That does not mean the scripture is in error. It simply means that two men saw the same thing and wrote what stood out to them. 

And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die. And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this: For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. (luke 7:2-5). 

The reputation of the Centurion is supported by the testimonies of the Jewish leaders. He believed in God and had supported the Jewish cause.  The Centurion was not a Jew.  It is not recorded that his servant was a Jew.  The Centurion was a gentile, and a commander in the Roman army.  Jesus could have said, “who are you a gentile, an enemy of my people, asking me to heal your servant?”  He could have said “ I am here to take care of the Jews first.” He could have simply said “No.”  But what Jesus  did say was “I will.”  Aren’t you thankful that Jesus is loving and gracious to all that call upon Him. Stop here just a minute and be thankful.  Our God does not turn  away those who turn to him with a heart of belief, in the action of faith.  

The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. 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.

Hearing that Jesus” will”, the Centurion allowed the depth of his belief to be shown.  As a commander in the Roman army, the Centurion understood authority. He was a man that had power over many men.  He was their leader, the expert, their commander. The Centurion expected obedience to his orders.  He expected action when he called for it.  The Centurion’s belief in Jesus was in  more than just Christ’s ability to heal.  His  response indicated  confidence in Jesus’ authority and ability because He is the son of God.  Jesus didn’t need to travel; he simply needed to speak.   The Centurion showed us his faith. 

 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. 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.

Jesus marvelled!  Scripture is full of passages where the prophets marvelled, the people, the disciples, and the Pharisees marvelled.  But only two passages indicate that Jesus marvelled. Jesus marvelled at the unbelief of those in his own area.  But Jesus, said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.(Mark 6: 4-6). Jesus marveled  at such faith from a roman gentile.  

The listeners get a glimpse into the plan of salvation.  It is not for the family of Abraham only.  It is available to everyone. God rewards those that come to Him in faith believing.  Each individual must decide what to do with what they have heard.  Believers from all across the globe  will join the Patriarchs in the kingdom of heaven.  The lines of divisions, created by mankind,  will be gone.  There will be one God and one family of God.  

But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

 Jesus used this account to warn the people around him.  He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1: 10-12). 

Our time here on earth is short.  What we believe and how we act upon that belief (faith) matters.  In our political correctness, let us not forget there are consequences for disbelief.  The punishment is too severe to gamble with or to dismiss entirely.  Would Jesus marvel at your faith?  

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.

Jesus not only said He would, but He did! The Centurion's servant was healed. 

There are many things that we do not physically see but we know the power of God as evidenced by results.God is not a mystical magical wishing stone.  He hears and understands the intents of our heart.  Unlike the Centurion, we nor our representatives, can stand physically before God asking for anything.  We can, however, make our requests known to God.  Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (Philippians 4: 4-6).

Trust and  committed to our belief in God, God’s word, and salvation through Jesus Christ is our faith. Petitioning God in prayer is our greatest gift and weapon of faith.  Is every prayer answered the way we would like?  No, thankfully we have a God who is much wiser than we are.  It is impossible to please God without faith (belief in action).  To ask of God you must believe who is.  He has authority and dominion over the world and everyone in it.    How marvelous when He tell us “I will.”

Thank you for studying with us! God bless!