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A Roman centurion came to Jesus to ask him to heal his sick servant. As Jesus was willing to go and heal the servant, the centurion said something remarkable, “Lord…just say the word, and my servant will be healed.” He recognized Jesus’ authority. As a soldier, he understood command; he knew that if he told his soldier to go, he would go. Likewise, he believed that when Jesus told the sickness to leave, his servant would be healed. So, he did not ask Jesus to be physically present in his house. Faith trusts in the authority of Jesus’ word. Seeing the centurion’s faith, Jesus was amazed. Jesus was amazed on only two occasions: once at the unbelief in his hometown (Mk 6:6), and once at the centurion’s faith. Although the centurion was a Gentile, he had greater faith than many Israelites who had the privilege of possessing the Scriptures. He was fit for God’s kingdom. Jesus healed the servant by the power of his word. What brings people into God’s kingdom is not background, ethnicity, religious tradition, but faith in Jesus’ authority.
Jesus visited Peter’s house and healed Peter’s mother-in-law of a fever. She recovered instantly and began to serve Jesus. True healing overflows into service. That evening, Jesus healed many who were sick, fulfilling the prophecy of suffering Christ.
Apr 20, 2026
SUCH GREAT FAITH
Passage: Matthew 8:5-17
Key verse: 10b
NIV
chapter 8
5. When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help.
6. "Lord," he said, "my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly."
7. Jesus said to him, "Shall I come and heal him?"
8. The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.
9. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ’Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ’Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ’Do this,’ and he does it."
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.
11. I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.
12. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
13. Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would." And his servant was healed at that moment.
14. When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever.
15. He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.
16. When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.
17. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: "He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases."
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Prayer: Lord, help me trust in your word that extends over my problems and troubles.
One Word: Just say the word