Jesus “marveled” only twice in the New Testament; once in Nazareth when neighbors he knew and loved did not recognize God in him. (Mark 6:6), and once in Capernaum when a Roman centurion did. (Matthew 8:10)

“The centurion replied , ‘ Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one ‘Go’ and he does it.’” When Jesus heard this he was amazed and said to those following him, ‘Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.’” (Matthew 8:8-10)

Who on earth can say “I am like you, Jesus”? Even Peter when he first witnessed his extraordinary catch of fish, “fell at Jesus knees and said, ‘Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!’”(Luke 5:8) The centurion calmly told Jesus that he recognized both Jesus’ authority and his power to grant his petition. The centurion acknowledged his own unworthiness, but was not afraid or hesitant to ask the favor of a healing. The centurion saw both God and himself in Jesus, and Jesus marveled.

The centurion seems to be wholly out of context in Jesus’ ministry and in his setting. He wasn’t a Hebrew; he wasn’t personally suffering; he belonged to the nation that had defeated and dominated Israel; he was a military man. There could hardly be a person less like Jesus in lifestyle and connections, yet he says, “I myself (like you) am a man under authority.” The Holy Spirit alone was able to connect his experience of obedience to Rome, to Jesus’ spiritual obedience to his Father God, and Jesus marveled.

Even though Jesus “did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person” (John 2;25), Jesus was surprised at the centurion, and he marveled. I believe that in the year 2023 it is still possible to surprise Jesus, and cause him to marvel. Every Christian has part of his or her life that is withheld from God. In all our confessing and praying, we reserve a room where we enter alone. When Jesus hears the hinges of that door open to him, he still marvels. When to all appearances we are separated from the Son of God in even a small way, when that separation is removed, Jesus marvels. In his marveling there is great, supernatural rejoicing, as he exclaims, “I have not found such great faith in you before!”

Love in Him,

Prue