Example of Great Faith: the Centurion

There are a few instances where Jesus praises someone's great faith. The Centurion and his ill slave, recorded in two accounts (Matt 8:5-13; Luke 7:2-9). What makes the Centurion's faith so remarkable?

And a centurion's slave, who was highly regarded by him, was sick and about to die. Now when he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders asking Him to come and save the life of his slave. And when they came to Jesus, they were earnestly pleading with Him, saying, "He is worthy for You to grant this to him; for he loves our nation and it was he who built us our synagogue."
Now Jesus was going on His way with them; and when He was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself further, for I am not good enough for You to come under my roof. For this reason I did not even consider myself worthy to come to You, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man placed under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, 'Go!' and he goes, and to another, 'Come!' and he comes, and to my slave, 'Do this!' and he does it."
Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled at him. And He turned to the crowd that was following Him and said, "I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith." (Luke 7:2-9, LSB)

1. Was the Centurion ethnically a Jew or Gentile? What evidence do you see that indicated that he was a Believer?

2. What does the Centurion think of Jesus? What does the Centurion think of himself?

3. What do you observe of the Centurion's view of authority and obedience?

4. What do you observe of the Centurion's trust in Jesus?

Related subject:

Lessons for Grades 6 - 8

Lessons for All Grades

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