Article October 1, 2018 Issue

The confidence of a centurion

Roger Whiteway

Christ Jesus had confidence in his ability to heal others and in his command over the environment. The Gospel of Mark records that he commanded, “Peace, be still,” in the face of a storm on the Sea of Galilee, and “a great calm” followed (4:39).

But of the many healings that he did, and the requests for healing that he received, in only one instance does the Bible record that he “marvelled” at the faith of a petitioner (see Matthew 8:5–13). A Roman officer, a centurion, requested that Jesus heal his ill servant.

The account notes that the centurion did not feel worthy enough for Jesus to travel to or enter his house. But as a Roman officer who gave orders to those he commanded and expected the orders to be followed, the centurion was confident that Jesus had only to say the word and his servant would be healed. And that is what happened.

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