The Chosen and Friends: God With UsNäide

Faith That Amazes Jesus
From Stan Jantz, Come and See

The New Testament tells us that Jesus was amazed only twice, and both times faith was involved.

The Gospel of Mark tells us that Jesus was amazed at the people in his hometown of Nazareth who refused to believe in him. Their skepticism was so deep that He couldn’t do any miracles there, prompting Jesus to be “amazed at their lack of faith.” (Mark 6:6)

In sharp contrast, the only other time Jesus was amazed was at the extraordinary faith of a Roman centurion who asked Jesus to heal his servant.

The Chosen gives this Roman official a name—Gaius—and accurately follows the conversation between him and Jesus as recorded by Matthew and Luke, two of the four biographers of the earthly life of Jesus.

When Jesus learned the centurion’s servant was paralyzed, he offered to go the official’s house to heal the boy. The Roman official showed extraordinary humility for a person in his position, telling Jesus that he didn’t deserve to have Him come to his home. Instead, he expressed his belief that Jesus could heal him right then, right now.

“Just say the word, and my servant will be healed.” (Matthew 8:8)

When Jesus heard this, He was amazed and told the crowd following Him, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.”

What was true when Jesus was on earth is true today: each person who encounters Him has the opportunity to believe or not believe.And what was true of Jesus then—and of God, too—is also true today: either way, He’ll be amazed.

About The Author
Come and See is a faith-based nonprofit that exists to share the authentic Jesus with at least one billion people worldwide. Because of the generosity of supporters around the world, Come and See is able to ensure that all seven seasons of “The Chosen” are produced, translated into 600 languages, made globally accessible, and free to all. Learn more at comeandsee.net.