Why did Jesus first teach concerning the kingdom of heaven before healing the centurion of Capernaum’s servant?
Jesus revealed the need for faith in his words to enter the kingdom before he healed the servant and marveled at the centurion’s faith. He stressed the need for faith in him for both healing and salvation, and warned the Jews of their peril if they did not show such faith (Matthew 7:26, Matthew 8:12).
It is noteworthy that the miracle only follows his teaching regarding the fact that it is not lineage but faith which is central in the kingdom of God. Thereafter the miracle serves to affirm Jesus’ teaching. Jesus’ words regarding the healing, namely that it be done according to the centurion’s faith, shows that the emphasis here falls not on the healing itself, but rather on that which can be acquired by faith.1
Jesus wants to use this example of the centurion at Capernaum to teach us that just like faith in miracles is a requirement for receiving a miraculous healing, so too is faith in Him alone required for salvation. Salvation is therefore freely given to all who believe, including the Gentiles, who can now even precede Israel. Through his preaching here right before the miracle healing Jesus provides a glimpse of the future in that the apostasy of Israel is contrasted with the spread of the Gospel among the Gentiles. As such the whole episode highlights Christ’s rule in that it is proclaimed both in the centurion’s confession as well as in the preaching of Jesus concerning who may or may not enter the kingdom of heaven.2
11 Or, je vous déclare que plusieurs viendront de l'orient et de l'occident, et seront à table avec Abraham, Isaac et Jacob, dans le royaume des cieux.