Jesus “healed all who were ill” (Mt 8:16). The people who came to him for this had faith in God (Mk 11:22). “Two blind men followed Him, crying out, ‘Have mercy on us, Son of David!'” (Mt 9:27). Jesus asked, “‘Do you believe that I am able to do this?'” (:28). The blind men answered, “‘Yes, Lord'” (:28). Jesus responded, “‘It shall be done to you according to your faith'” (:29). Then “their eyes were opened” (:30). They believed Jesus could heal them and were healed because of their faith. “‘For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart'” (Mt 12:34). “‘The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’-that is, the word of faith” (Ro 10:8).
A centurion asked for help saying, “‘Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, fearfully tormented'” (Mt 8:4). He said to Jesus, “‘just say the word, and my servant will be healed'” (:8). Jesus responded, “‘Go; it shall be done for you as you have believed'” (:13). Because the centurion believed that all Jesus had to do is speak the command Jesus said, “‘I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel'” (10). “The servant was healed that very moment” (:13). The centurion had the faith and believed. A Canaanite woman asked Jesus to heal her daughter. Through their talk Jesus ascertained that she believed he could heal her and said, “‘O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish'” (Mt 15:28). “Her daughter was healed at once” (:28).
Both the centurion and Canaanite woman had “great faith.” They were persistent and “strong in faith” (Ro 4:20). They believed and kept their focus. If you don’t, then circumstances will undermine your confidence and your faith will be too small to get what you want (Mt 14:29-31). Peter “seeing the wind” (:30) lost focus. Thomas’ focus was on seeing because he said “‘Unless I see . . . I will not believe'” (Jn 20:25). When he did see, Jesus told him “‘be not faithless, but believing'” (:27 KJV). Jesus said “see my hands . . . stop doubting and believe'” (:27 NIV). Not having faith and doubting are synonymous. That is why Jesus said, “‘do not be unbelieving, but believing'” (:27 NASB).