The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 1 — Section 339

the Truth. "He marvelled." We must accept the fa.et as belonging to the truth of the Lurd's human nature, while we learn of him to admire above a.11 things humility and charily and trustful faith. 4. Bis prophecy of the gathering in of the Gentiles. This centurion was probably the first Gentile, except the Wise Men from the East, who had sought the presence of the Lord. The Lord contrasts his great faith with the unbelief which, he kuew, would be prevalent in Israel. He saw in the clearness of his foreknow- ledge the Gentiles flocking into the Christian Church. The Jews would not eat with men uncircumcised (Acts xi. 3), but in the kingdom of heaven a great multitude from the east and from the west, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, would sit down with Abraham and Isaac an<l Jacob at the marriage-supper of the Lamb. But side by side with this bright prospect came a sorrowful foreboding; the children of the kingdom would be cast out; Israelites, who were heirs of the promises, but had forfeited their inheritance by disobedience and unbelief, would, alas! find no place but the great outer darkness, where are weeping and gnashing of teeth. These a.re stern words, but it is the sternness of love. The Lord Jesus Christ, the most compassionate One, does not hide from us the awful doom of the disobedient. He warns us that outward privileges, whether those of the Jewish or those of the Christian Church, will not save us in themselves. There is need of faith, bumble, trustful, loving faith; without that, ordinances, sacraments, means of grace however precious, will not avail to the saving of the soul. 'l'he children of the kingdom will be cast out, if they are only in the outward kingdom, and have not the kingdom of grace within their souls. 5. The promise to the centurion. "As thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee." His faith brought him nearer to God than unbelieving Israel. At Nazareth, his own city, the Lord found very little faith. He marvelled at the unbelief of the Nazarenes (Mark vi. 6), as he marvelled at the faith of this centurion. He did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief. He healed at once the servant of the centurion. Faith is better than privileges. Faith saves the Gentile; privileges cannot save the Israelite. We mark the prevailing power of faith; we mark the value of intercessory prayer. " His servant was healed in the selfsame hour." Let us pray, "Lord, increase our faith." Let us learn to pray for others, for the sick and suJfering, for the ignorant, for all Christian people, for all mankind. II. HEALING OF PETEB's WIFE'S H0THEB. 1. Her illness. She was sick of a fever, very iU; she lay helpless on her bed. The Lord entered into the house; it was his home when he sojourned at Capernaum. Doubtless it was a holy household-St. Peter, his wife, and her mother. The Lord was welcomed there; he was an honoured mem her of the family circle. 'J'hat family is blessed where Christ dwells, where husband and wife, united in holy wedlock, are united also in the love of Christ. Such families are not exempt from sorrow and suffering, but Christ's presence softens the sorrow. There was sorrow now in that humhle home. 'l'hey told the Lord, as we shonld tell him in prayer, of all our troubles; they besought him for the sick woman (she could not, it seems, pray for hersell), as we should commend our suffering friends to his mercy. 2. Her recovery. The Lord felt for his afllicted friends ; he listened to the voice of their prayer. He touched her hand, he rebuked the fever, he lifted her up. Immediately the fever left her. The Lord listens to his people's voice; he always answers prayer. Not always as we wish; he knows, we do not know, whether a longer life or an early death is best for ourselves or for our friends. We must ever add to our prayers the utterance of faith, "Thy will be done." "He doeth 1111 things woll." 3. Her gratitude. She arose at once; she ministered to Christ and his apostles; she attended to their wants. So should we work for Christ. Every blessing received, every prayer answered, should lead us to give ourselves more entirely to his service, to minister to him by ministering to his poor, to give freely and generously for the work of his Church. III. MANY HIBACULOUS CURES. 1. T'flll sick brought to Christ. There was great excitement at CapernauI!l. But (we gather from the other evangelists, who relate the last miracle in a different connection) it was the sabbath day. They might not carry burdens, they might not walk beyond the traditional two thousand paces; but when the even was come, and the sabbath rest was over, the enthusiasm of the people was not to be restrained. All the city was gathered together at the door of Pater's humble ·dwelling. .All the sick of Capernaum and the surrounding district were brought to the great Physician. A strange, confused mass of helpless sufiering, of  ~34 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO S'l'. MATTHEW. [on. vm. 1-34.