The Word of Jesus and the Faith of the Centurion

Third Sunday of Epiphany

First Edition

Gospel Matthew 8:5–13 Jesus Awakens Faith

When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him and begged him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, grievously tormented.” Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.” But the centurion answered, “No, Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. Just say the word, and my servant will be healed. I myself am a man under orders, commanding soldiers under my command. I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; or to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; or to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I have not found such great faith in anyone in Israel. I tell you, many will come from east and west and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But those who are destined for the kingdom will be thrown outside into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way. Let it be done for you according to your faith.” At that very moment the servant was healed. (Matthew 8:5–13, New International Version)

Background information about the centurion

Christian faith is a complex and profound subject. It raises questions and debates around the world. One of the most powerful examples of faith in the Bible is found in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 8:5–13. In this passage, Jesus encounters the centurion. This encounter shows how faith can be born and strengthened, even if it is not based on traditional beliefs or cultural norms. The importance of faith is a key factor that can profoundly affect our lives.

The centurion in Matthew is an interesting character. He was a Roman officer who commanded hundreds of soldiers. Although the Romans were often the enemies of the Jews, this officer was an exception. He had heard of Jesus and his miracles.

The story of the centurion begins when he comes to Jesus to ask for help. His servant was suffering from a serious illness. Jesus is ready to come to help, but the centurion replies that he is not worthy of Jesus coming to his house. He believes that Jesus can heal his servant with just a word. This strength of faith shows that he trusts Jesus’ abilities more than any conventional thinking.

The Power of Faith “Just Say the Word”

The centurion’s faith in Jesus’ word is impressive. His understanding that Jesus can heal without a physical presence is astonishing. Jesus says that he has not found such strong faith anywhere in Israel. The centurion's message to "just say the word" is key. This phrase shows that faith is not just about strength or emotion, but about a deep trust in Jesus' authority. This idea can inspire many believers today. For example, many Christians find that their prayers bring peace and strength to their daily lives.

We do not need to be physically present or experience the presence of Jesus. Faith can be awakened and strengthened by the word of God, whose power transcends all human boundaries. To strengthen this faith, we can participate in common prayers or study the Bible together.

The Centurion and Society

It is also important to consider the centurion’s position in society. He was a Roman, part of an empire that often opposed the Jewish religion. Yet he was open to this new one. He even built a synagogue in Capernaum, which shows his respect for Judaism. This is rare, considering that only 5% of Romans declared an interest in Jewish culture.

The centurion heard about Jesus and his teachings several times. His deep, open heart allowed a new faith to be born. This opens up the question for us: how can we ourselves be open and willing to learn, like the centurion?

Faith Comes from Hearing

The Bible says: “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:17). The centurion is an example of this. He heard about Jesus and his teachings, which gave rise to faith in him. The connection between hearing and faith is an important perspective for every believer. The question is how well we listen and learn. However, just hearing is not enough. We must be open to learning and understanding deeply. In this context, we can consider how often we discuss and share our insights into God’s Word. The path of faith is not always easy, but hearing can change everything. When we open ourselves to God’s Word, we find a stronger faith that can overcome doubt and fear.

The Connection Between Faith and Action

The centurion’s faith also involves action. He not only believes, but he acts on his faith. He understands the authority he has as a soldier, but he also recognizes the greater authority of Jesus. This reminds us that faith is an active process. The question that arises is how we can live out faith in our daily lives. We can believe, but we must let faith change us and our actions. This means we must act on what we believe. Believers tell us that relying on their faith has given them strength in difficult times.

Summary

When we look at the centurion and his faith, we can see a deeper meaning. Jesus’ words are not just beautiful phrases; they have real power behind them that can change people’s lives. The centurion’s example allows us to understand that anyone—no matter how far removed from traditional faith—can find what they need through faith.

Jesus awakens faith in people’s hearts, and the centurion is a perfect example of how faith can be born and strengthened. He is able to believe in Jesus’ word alone, which reveals the importance of opening our minds and hearts. This story encourages us all. No matter where we come from or how much we know, faith is a universal experience that transcends cultural and historical boundaries.

Let us learn from the centurion and allow our faith to change our lives and the people around us. Jesus’ word is powerful; it can change the direction of our lives and open up new possibilities for us. We just have to listen and believe.