The disciples were ready to follow Christ wherever He went. They got into the boat after Him in order to accompany Him. But even while following Christ, the disciples for too long did not understand Him. It is noteworthy that, describing the disciples' reaction to Jesus calming the storm, the evangelist writes: "And the men marveled, saying..." For at the moment when the disciples do not understand the Teacher, they cannot be called disciples.

Christ's sleep in the middle of the stormy sea is striking not only because He preserves astonishing self-control amid the raging elements, while all the disciples are alarmed. Another meaning can also be seen in this image: it recalls God's rest after the completion of creation, when the world was already developing according to the course appointed for it. Even while at rest, the Lord remained the Creator and Lord of the moving universe. And here one can also discern His coming Resurrection, when, rising from the repose of the tomb, He will again bring the bewildered apostles to their senses.

Today's passage is also remarkable, among other things, because it is the only event in the Gospels where it is said that "Jesus marveled" at the strength of a person's faith. Really, what can amaze God? Only perhaps, as in Nazareth, when He marveled at unbelief. He knows all our thoughts beforehand; every one of our steps is known to Him (see Ps. 138). And yet the centurion's request amazes Him. What is so unusual about this soldier's words? What did he say that Christ sets him as an example to His disciples and to all God's people, warning them against the danger of being cast into the outer darkness (see Matt. 8:12)?

This man very clearly, as is characteristic of people of his cast of mind, sees his place in relation to Christ: not only is he a Gentile, he also serves in the occupying forces. And still he comes to Jesus boldly and explains simply and directly what he wants, fully understanding that under normal circumstances he has no way to receive it. But thanks to such humility before the circumstances, something is opened to him that perhaps those around him do not see at all. The centurion, sensing that before him stands not merely a man, understands that Christ does not need to come to the sick man and touch him in the physical sense of the word. Perhaps the Lord healed people in that way because it was easier for them themselves to receive healing that way. But the centurion's faith allows him to see that Christ, the Son of God, can act outside space and time, and that one thought of His and one glance of His are enough for salvation and healing. And the depth of this man's insight proved able to amaze God...

How strange we would look if we came to a doctor with a broken arm, asking for help but not allowing him to touch it. The same can be said of our prayer asking for help, but without faith...

In response to the centurion's request, Jesus did not say something like "let what you ask be done for you" or "your servant has recovered; go." He says: "Go; and as you have believed, let it be done for you" (Matt. 5:13). In this way He tells us the main thing: it is not enough simply to ask; faith is necessary. It is faith that fills the request with "power," makes it real and full. For if one asks someone for help without believing that it can be given, one will scarcely receive it. Besides, if we do not believe that the Lord can help us, we in effect close the road to Him, that is, we simply do not give Him the opportunity to provide that very help.

That is why Christ said: "Have faith in God. For truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours" (Mark 11:23-24).