1) Why did the Centurion come to Jesus?

The Centurion came to Jesus because he believed that Jesus could heal his sick servant. However he heard about Jesus, he knew that Jesus had the power to do this miracle.

2) Why did the Centurion not want Jesus to come to his house?

Going into the house of Gentiles would make a Jew unclean. The Centurion knew this, and therefore showed faith that he believed Jesus could heal whether he was near or far.

3) Why did Jesus marvel at the Centurion’s faith?

Jesus was amazed that the man who was a gentile, had such great faith in the Jewish messiah. Jesus said that he had not found this kind of faith in Israel. This points to the future truth of the inclusion of the gentiles as full partners with the Jewish people in the promise of the Jewish messiah.

4) What did Jesus promise about who would become a part of God’s covenant people?

Jesus promised that there would be many gentiles from all over the world that would come to the table of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, meaning that the gentiles would receive the promises that were made to the patriarchs of Israel. This is a stunning message, and it all hinged on faith in Jesus, the Messiah.

5) What does this teach you about faith and about how it relates to you?

Through faith in Jesus, we will never be put to shame. If we hope in Jesus, we know we will never be disappointed. We know that we will receive eternal life and healing through believing in him. He is the one who heals and restores us and makes us children of God. What an amazing savior! It is through faith in him and in his promises that we receive eternal life. It is not faith plus something, it is faith that is a gift from the Holy Spirit. Let’s live for him today, and trust in him as when we first believed.