Sometimes The Truth is More Powerful than Hollywood!

By James Banfield

I had the unique blessing in 2004 to contract Cancer in my Esophagus. Now that sounds really weird I know, but its true. My VA Doctor in Santa Rosa was doing my annual physical and asked me to say “AH” and I did, and she stepped back, took a breath and did it again. She spotted something that didn't look right and made an appointment for me to see a specialist, 14 days later I was under the knife having a full radical Esophageal Removal which is a very serious operation and the survival rate is not good. Thank You Jesus. But how is it that I say I was blessed? Well, after the major part of recovery they sent me home to recover the rest of the way. It was Easter Season so needless to say there were about 6 “Jesus” movies I got to watch. Something was terribly wrong. I was born again in Novcmber 1991 and so having really read the bible I had somewhat of a proper perspective of the scriptures. But it seems that Hollywood didn't! They portrayed Jesus and what he did improperly. After the 6^th movie was completed I was in my chair and exclaimed, “Lord?, When are they going to make a movie about your ministry that is scripturally correct?” Frustrated with it all, I sat there in my chair, sad that Hollywood and some Christian movie producers would do that. I mean, there were some trivial things wrong but there were some really bad ones too! Then the Lord said, “Write It!” and immediately I saw in a vision (2) Sheets of 24” x 36” Gridded Velum paper with columns on them and at the top they said, “Time Frames” so I knew how He wanted me to set about writing the movie by time frames. So, I went down to purchased a couple of sheets of the gridded velum (I ended up getting a few like 6 sheets altogether) and began my journey. A real journey. I started in John and made references to each major event and found that there were several events written about in all of the gospels. Of course we all know that, but did you know that the “discrepancies” were really just another point of view of the same events? And now, the purpose of this article...

The Event: The Centurion and Jesus and the healing of the Centurion's Servant

Scriptures: "Matthew 8:5-13". And "Luke 7:1-10"

Now, from the movies and the way were taught The Centurion came to Jesus and asked if Jesus would heal his servant, but that the Lord didn't need to come into his house for he felt that he (The Centurion) was unworthy to have the Lord come into his house. His Faith impressed the Lord and so the Lord healed his servant that very hour. That's how we see that event.. But what really happened? Let find out, because “The Truth is More Powerful Than Hollywood” and I will show you why!

Matthew 8:5-13

King James Version (KJV)

5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,

6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.

7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.

8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.

9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.

12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

13 And Jesus said unto the centurion (actually it was the Centurion's friends), Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

There doesn't seem to much out of whack here does it? But when we read Luke, there is a difference and an added twist to the story. At first it seems like it just isn't the truth. But it is. You see Luke was a Doctor and in that light, he wanted to make sure that everything was written down correctly, all of it .. so let's see what Luke wrote …

Luke 7:1-10

King James Version (KJV)

7 Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum.

2 And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.

3 And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant.

4 And when they came to Jesus (The Elders of the Synagogue), they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:

5 For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.

6 Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:

7 Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.

8 For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

9 When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

10 And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.

It seems that Matthew says one thing and Luke says another.. but actually they both were right. Its just that Matthew was being condensed while Luke wanted the whole story told because it was much more powerful .. Now lets see …...

1. Luke in verse 3 says that the Centurion sent the elders of the Synagogue to Jesus to ask the Lord if he would come and heal his servant.

2. In verse 4 it verifies that indeed it was the Elders of the Synagogue that came to Jesus

3. According to verse 5 This Centurion was above reproach according to the Elders for the Centurion built the Synagogue that they attended. Wow!

4. In Verse 6 “They were not far from the house” They never made it to the house to heal the servant! So What happened! Luke is intrigued for sure!

5. In verse 7 is the key to the whole event but you need to ask a question … lets read it first … the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: 7 Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. 8 For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

6. HE SENT FRIENDS to Jesus! The Centurion did not go with them! The friends went in his stead! Now the question … How could the Centurion say “Lord, trouble not thyself: ...” It sounds like the Centurion was there, but he wasn't, his friends were there! So how did the Centurion “Speak” to Jesus? It was through a NOTE that his friend read to Jesus. Remember, Jesus was not at the house but a short distance away from it.

7. Look at Jesus reaction, in verse 9 … “When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.” So who did Jesus marvel at? The Centurion. But who was it that Jesus turned about to face the people? The friend of the Centurion who read the note! The Centurion's friend was not alone but had several people with him.

8. And in verse 10 it says it all. “ And they that were sent (the Centurion's Friends), returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.

Now here is where the title of this article comes in

“Sometimes, The Truth is More Powerful than Hollywood!”

Jesus did not have to be in attendance with the Centurion to heal his beloved servant. The Centurion was not face to face with Jesus either. Jesus did it through an intercessor, someone standing in the Centurion's stead. So when we need to pray for someone's healing we too can do the same thing as the Centurion's friend did. We can stand in their place and ask for the Lord according to OUR Faith, for the Lord to send His healing power into the one we ask to be healed. But, we have to understand the principle behind this event which is for all time. It is the same identical thing he said to the woman with the issue of blood. Remember what Jesus said to her? You can find His reply to her in this very same book and Chapter … Luke 8:48 And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace  It is OUR FAITH that stirs God to send His healing spirit to make whole again! The Centurion didn't need to be face to face with Jesus, His Faith was all he needed, and that is what Jesus was so impressed by, The Centurion's FAITH !

Incredible! So now you see, “Sometimes, The Truth is More Powerful Than Hollywood!”

Lord, I pray that you are impressed with OUR FAITH TOO. Amen

James Banfield

ps. oh, The Movie “The Word from Galiliee” took 17 months to write. It's all done and just waiting on the Lord and his timing to be presented to the people. Amen