Application —
[Let all then seek to become Christians indeed. Let us not be afraid to confess our Lord before men ; and let us regard
c Rom. ii. 28, 29. d Matt. xxv. 3, 11, 12.
e Matt. vii. 21—23. f Heb. iv. 13. e John ii. 24, 25.
h 1 Cor. iv. 5. I Wisd. v. 1—9.
" what he says" not only above all, but in opposition to all, that human counsellors can suggest. Let us take care that our lives be consistent with our professions. Let us trust in the Lord as simply, as if obedience were not required. Let us obey the Lord as zealously, as if obedience only were required.]
Luke vii. 6, 7. 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 tliat thou shouldest enter under my roof : wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee : but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.
NOTHING makes a wider breach among men than a difference in political and religious opinion : but mutual good offices would greatly counteract this evil. Though we can never hope to soften the ran- cour of all, we may by persevering kindness conciliate the esteem of many. We have before us a remark- able instance of the efficacy of such conduct. The centurion was a heathen, an officer of a hostile nation, stationed in Judaea to keep the Jews in sub- jection ; but instead of oppressing the Jews he had shewed them much favour. He, in his turn, needed their good offices on behalf of his servant ; and they gladly became his advocates and intercessors ; they even prevailed on Jesus to work a miracle on his behalf.
To elucidate this miracle we shall consider, I. The centurion's character —
Soldiers, for the most part, are unfavourably cir- cumstanced with respect to religion ; but here was one, though a heathen, whose character may well put to shame the greater part of the Christian world. We may observe,
1. His love to his fellow-creatures — [His servant was grievously afflicted with the palsy nigh unto deatha. In this disorder, persons can do nothing for others,
a Compare Matt. viii. 6. with Luke vii. 2.
1499. J THE centurion's servant healed. 355
or even for themselves ; and in such a state, even dear friends and relatives are ready to think the care of one a heavy burthen ; yet this Centurion administered to his servant with the tenderest affection, and interested all he could in the pro- motion of his welfare13. What could the servant himself have done more for the kindest master ?]
2. His piety towards God —
[He had not embraced either the doctrines or discipline of the Jewish Church ; but he had learned to acknowledge the only true God ; and he was glad to promote the worship of God, even though he himself did not acquiesce in the peculiar mode in which he was worshipped. He even built a synagogue for the Jews at his own expense0. What an admirable pattern of liberality and candour ! How different from those who will not do any thing without the pale of their own Church ! Surely he never afterwards regretted that he had so applied his wealth.]
3. His low thoughts of himself —
[He did not arrogate any thing to himself on account of his rank and authority ; nor did he value himself on his bene- volence to man and zeal for God. While others judged him worthy that a miracle should be wrought for him, he accounted himself unworthy of the smallest favour. This was the reason of his forbearing to wait on our Lord in person d. How lovely does such an one appear in the eyes of God and man !]
4. His exalted thoughts of Christ —