Luke's Gospel records a remarkable encounter between Christ Jesus and emissaries from a Roman army commander, a centurion. They conveyed his urgent request that Jesus heal his seriously ill servant. Jesus proceeded to the centurion's house, but as he drew near, he was met by others, also sent by this soldier, who bore another message—one that both surprised and delighted him. He was told the centurion expected that Jesus could effect the healing without being physically present with the sick person.
What they reported of his reasoning showed that the centurion perceived something important about the supremacy of God and its relation to healing: "For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it." Jesus was so impressed with this response that he used the occasion to rebuke and instruct his countrymen—and all who doubt the power of God to heal. The gospel account continues, "When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel." Luke 7:8, 9 Immediately thereafter the servant was healed.
What did this centurion know about God that made his faith "so great" that it excelled that of all but a few of the chosen people to whom Jesus addressed his primary mission? What was the nature of the authority that the centurion recognized and what was the method by which this authority was manifested by Jesus in healing?
