When I read this article there were two scriptures that come to mind. Jesus said, “No one has greater love than this, that a man lives down his life for his friend.” JN 15:13 Jesus listened to this reply, and was astonished, and said to the people following Him, “I solemnly tell you that in no Israelite have I found faith as great as this. MTT 8:10

Jesus was talking about joy, friendship, love, and how his followers would bear fruit which would be demonstrated by their love for one another. Jesus commanded us to love one another. Love is an act of the will. Jesus said, the greatest act of love is to lay down one’s life for a friend. Just like Jesus if this story is true, the Muslim man Jamal Rahman, had a choice. Jamal Rahman chose to stand and die with his Christian friends. Jesus said, “No one has greater love than this, that a man lives down his life for his friend.” JN 15:13

On the second scripture, it was a Roman Centurion who had a servant boy who was bed written and paralyzed. The Centurion was a soldier who had authority over his troops. He knew that when he gave an order it was carried out. He did not have to be in the same area to verify it. He knew what power his command had. The Centurion also had faith is Jesus power to heal by commanding it to happen and it would happened. Jesus told the Centurion “I will come and heal him.” But the Centurion did not feel worthy enough for Jesus to come under his roof but said “speak the word only and my servant shall be healed.” Jesus listened to this reply, and was astonished, and said to the people following Him, “I solemnly tell you that in no Israelite (or all of Israel) have I found faith as great as this. MTT 8:10.

Jamal, laid down his life based on loyalty and love for his friend. The Centurion had faith and did not need to see it happen to believe. The scriptures tell us that the boy has healed within the same time Jesus had spoken the words. Both stories speak to a man’s character not just in words but based on their beliefs and actions.