Gospel of Matthew: Jesus Was Amazed

Matthew 8:5-13

There's a lot packed into this episode. Here are a few things that amazed me.

George Martin points out an important detail that I had noticed but not realized the significance of, namely the reason this episode is unique.

Jesus healing the servant of a Centurion, by the Venetian artist Paolo Veronese

10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed--the only time in Matthew's gospel that Jesus is amazed or surprised. Jesus is so amazed that he comments on his amazement. He turns from the centurion and seys to those following him, "Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith." Jesus notes the faith of the centurion--the centurion's confidence that Jesus has such authority over afflictions that he is able to heal with a simple word of command. This is the first mention of or praise of a person's faith in the Gospel of Matthew--and the faith-filled person is not a Jew but a Gentile companion. No one in Israel--that is, no Jew--has demonstrated such faith in Jesus as has this Gentile centurion. Jesus' disciples, whom he is now addressing, are included in the no ones; they have a "little faith" (6:30) but not such faith as has the centurion. Jesus is amazed that he has found such great faith in a Gentile.

Bringing the Gospel of Matthew to Life

William Barclay looks more closely at the centurion and finds there is more that is special than his faith in Jesus.

There was something very special about this centurion at Capernaum, and that was his attitude to his servant. This servant would be a slave, but the centurion was grieved that his servant was ill and was determined to do everything in his power to save him.

That was the reverse of the normal attitude of master to slave. In the Roman Empire slaves did not matter. It was of no importance to anyone if they suffered, and whether they lived or died. Aristotle, talking about the friendships which are possible in life, writes: "There can be no friendship nor justice toward inanimate things; indeed, not even towards a horse or an ox, nor yet towards a slave as a slave. For master and slave have nothing in common; a slave is a living tool, just as an inanimate tool is a slave." ...

It is quite clear that this centurion was an extraordinary man, for he loved his slave. ...

Daily Study Bible Series, The Gospel of Matthew

This is important to remember because we so often think of slavery in a modern way, with lots of chances for the slave and the master to be friends. The ancient reality was depressingly different a lot of the time.

Lastly, I really like this thought on how to apply this to our own lives.

The Roman centurion offers us a model for approaching Jesus in prayer. He does not rush in and tell Jesus how to solve his problem. Rather, he comes to Jesus in his dire situation and humbly states his need. "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully" (8:6). He leaves to the Lord the way the problem will be solved.

Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture: Gospel of Matthew

This reminds me of Mary at the wedding feast at Cana. Having stated the couple's need for wine, she just turns to the servers and says, "Do whatever he tells you." I myself can be awfully bossy, telling God just how a certain problem should be solved. Yes, sometimes we know what our petition is and what we need, but so often God's got a surprising solution. We need to humbly present our need and trust.

This series first ran in 2008. I'm refreshing it as I go.