The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 1 — Section 338

l. The centurion. He was a soldier and a Gentile; he had been brought up in heathenism, and had lived among the temptations inseparable from a military life. His example and that of Cornelius show us tliat there were devout men among Gentile soldiers, as there are many good Christian men among soldiers now, 'l'emptations may be great, but the grace of God is greater; we can serve him acceptably in any lawful calling. 'l'his centurion had seen the vanity of heathenism; he felt drawn towards God's ancient people ; he loved the nation, and had himself built the synagogue at Carernaum-perhaps that of which the white marble ruins may still be seen at Tell Bum. (I) His humility. He showed a singular humility, a grace hardly to be expected in a Gent.ile soldier; he recognized the dignity of Jesus, he felt his own unworthiness. He sent the elders of the Jews, St. Luke tells us in his longer narrative, as if he felt that he was not worthy even to draw near to the great Teacher. Aoain he sent friends. At last in his anxiety he came himself, still owning his unworthi~ess: "Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof." Many say unto him "Lord, Lord," of whom he will say in the last day, "I never knew you," He know; with the knowledge of Divine love and mercy all who come to him as this centurion came, in humility, in faith ac.d love. "He that abaseth himself shall be exalted." The centurion thought himself unworthy of the Saviour's presence in his house; the Lord deigned (we may gather from the sacred narrative) to mark him for bis own to enter into his heart, and to abide evermore with him. More than once he accepted the invitations of Pharisees; he entered into their houses, and sat down with them; but that outward presence, great honour though it was, was nothing compared with the grace granted to the humble centurion. (2) His faith. Like the leper, he believed that Christ had power to heal ; but his faith was more spiritual, in that he recognized the Lord's independence of any outward means as the channels of his saving power. There was no need, he felt, of the outstretched hand, the healing touch; no need of the Lord's bodily presence; the will was enough; the word of power, spoken at a distance, would heal his servant. He himself, he said, was a man under authority, a subaltern, yet he was obeyed by his soldiers, by his servant. The Lord, he felt, was very great and high and holy; the disease would pass away at his word; demons would flee at his command; angels would do his bidding; his simple word was all that was needed. It was wonderful faith indeed, at that time, and in a Gentile soldier. That centurior, is a model for us. We need a faith like his, simple, spiritual, undoubting: Such a faith can remove mountains. (3) His charity. He cared for his slave. It was a rare thing in those days. A slave was treated just as a piece of property-a "living tool," in the words of .Aristotle; he was scarcely regarded as a man, and received just so much attention as was sufficient to enable him to perform his work. This centurion was a good master; his servant had returned his kindness with ready obedience; he was dear to him. It is an example of the relations that ought to exist between a master and his servants. Again, although a Gentile, he had shown his love for the people of God and his reverence for the God of Israel by building at his own expense a house for the worship of God. He had won the affection of his Hebrew neighbours; they undertook to plead for him; they besought Christ earnestly (St. Luke says), saying, "He is worthy that thou shouldest •do this for him." 'l'hey -thought him worthy; he felt his own unworthiness. His example shows us how a loving heart conciliates the love of others; it shows with what prevailing power the prayer of humility, faith, and love pleads with the great King. 2. The Lord's answer to prayer. Again the gracious "I will:" "I will come and heal him." The Lord will not work miracles to display his power or to satisfy curiosity; but the answer to faithful prayer is ever the ~ame, "I will." It is full of gracious encouragement to those who cowe to Christ in earnest supplication, whether for themselves or for others. 3. The Lord's wunder. It seems strange that he should wonder to whom nothing wa.s wonderful ; for all things were made by him, and all the depths of the human heart were known to him. But he was man as well as God; he increased in wisdom, he wept, he rejoiced in spirit; once he "looked rouu<l about him with anger." The mystery of the union of the human and the Divine in the Person of Christ is one of the deepest of all mysteries. "He marvelled." It can scarcely be, as some have said, that his admiration was merely intended to teach us what we ought to admire; such an -explanation seems to introduce an element of unreality into the conduct of him who i1 ou. vm. 1-31-.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MA.TTIIEW. 333