Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant

The power of the Word of God is seen in this passage when one has great faith, like the Centurion, a non-Jew with high position humbling himself to come personally to Jesus to ask for his servant’s healing and believing that Jesus’ words are enough to heal his servant.

We see many good qualities of the Centurion here.  

1. Though being on high position he comes himself, he could have sent his soldiers or other servants
2. He is compassionate, he cares for his servant and wants him to be healed.
3. His faith in Jesus, when Jesus agreed to go to his house, the Centurion knowing the power of words, asks Jesus to rebuke the sickness from where he is and he believed that his servant would be healed.  

Jesus is marvelled with the Centurion’s faith and promises him a place in his kingdom while the Jews are struggling to believe in Jesus even after seeing so many miracles.  The Centurion must have heard of Jesus and his works from people and comes in search of him for he did not want to miss the opportunity by relying on some one else and so he comes himself.

His words, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant will be healed” are today the most important part of the Eucharist and is recited at every mass before we receive Communion. What greater honour can one receive.  

Lord, help us to have the qualities of the Centurion, to be humble like him, have direct relation with God and be strong in faith that nothing should shake us in times of trouble.  Let us make time and memorise the words from the bible to enable us to remember and use them at the right time.