Power over distance

A Gentile centurion had a trusted servant who was on the verge of dying. While Jesus was coming to his home, the centurion came out to meet Jesus, and told him there was no need to walk to his home. Just say the word and my son will be healed, he said. And Jesus did so, remarking that the man’s faith was so great, none like it can be found in Israel.

Lazarus, a Jew, and one whom Jesus loved, fell ill and died. When Jesus finally came to his village, Lazarus’s two sisters, Mary and Martha, both complained that if only Jesus had been there, their brother would not have died.

The non-Jewish centurion knew that distance would have no effect on Jesus' power. He knew Jesus as God.

The Jewish sisters thought that distance would diminish Jesus’ power. The farther he was from them, the less powerful he would be. For all of their familiarity in knowing Jesus, the sisters only knew Jesus as a good man.

Blessed are those who have not seen, and believe.

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Luke 7.6-10 And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, "Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. " Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. "For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith." And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well.

John 11.21 Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.

John 11.32 Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died."

John 20.29 Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."