8:1-4
Jesus has now finished the “sermon on the mount”, and He is followed by large crowds. It is his healing powers rather than his teaching which interests people.a man with leprosy comes and asks to be healed. He wonders if Jesus would be willing to heal Him. Jesus was willing and healed the man. He also instructed him to go to the priest and offer a sacrifice in accord with the law of Moses. The Pharisees were convinced that Jesus’ acts of healing were against the Law, especially when done on the Sabbath, Jesus knew they were completely in accord with the Law.
8:5-13
So the first miracle demonstrates Jesus' willingness to heal. This next miracle demonstrates that the faith of Gentiles, even a Roman soldier, was greater than that of Israel. The centurion was concerned about his servant, whether this was because of the utility of the servant, or personal concern is not clear. Remember that the Romans were hated because they were an occupying force. Jews were not supposed to go into the home of a Gentile (see \Peter and Cornelius in Acts), but the centurion knows that a word from Jesus is sufficient. Jesus commends the man on his faith, and declares that many will come from all nations to join in the heavenly banquet, but many Israelites would be rejected. Faith, not ancestry, was the key. The centurion's servants was then healed.
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