The Pulpit Commentary — Luke — Volume 1 — Section 183

HOMILETICS. Vers. 1-10.-771., centurion. . He is a_ Roman, whose !nclinatlons were natur11lly opposed to all that seemed Jewish. He 1s a heathen by bll'th, whose early education _was wholly_ removed from the worship of the Father. He is e. soldier with a charge m the garrison of Capemaum, tempted, therefore, to indulgence in a domineering spirit, and to the following of that voice which whispers, "Te.ke thy fill ere death • indulge thee and rejoice." What is the portrait presented? A man deeply in earnest about religious things, seeking a fuller satisfaction for his need than heathenism can furnish; u.nd on an occasion when human feelings are stirred, showing such kindliness, 1:1uch gentleness, such deference along with hie trust in Jesus, that, having regard to these :,_ualities, the testimony is given," I have not found so great faith, no, not in Ierael.' Not ice some of the features of this great faith. I. 1TB HUMILITY. He does not himself go to Jesus. He is only a Gentile. He will not so far presume as personally to make a request. He sends the elders of the Jews. Nay, further still, as the time of Jesus' approach draws near, another feeling IIIll:les. Is it not too great an honour that the Son of the Highest should come to his house ? Other messengers are despatched, begging the Master not to trouble himself; it is too much to ask him to come under the roof of one who is not worthy to come to him. "Say in a word, and my servant shall be healed." Great faith sees the greatness of its object. This heathen soldier has seen the hidden glory of Jesus. The disciples saw power; he saw, felt, holiness; and herein he is our teacher. On the very <lay of the preaching of the sermon, he is the illustration of its first Beatitude. What is the reeponee of Christ? He entered under the roof of the Pharisee and sat at his table, but this to the Pharisee was condemnation. We do not know whether he entered the house of the centurion, but he came into his soul As St. Augustine says, "In connt- ing himseli unworthy that Christ should enter into hie door, he was counted worthy that Chri.l:lt should enter into his heart." "To this man will I look . . . even to him that i~ humble and contrite in spirit." IL !TB Bil:LPLICITY. "Say in a word, and my servant shall be healed." Observe how far he is in advance of the faith even of those who knew Christ best. The sisters of Bethany, e.g.," If thou hadst been here, my brother had not died." llis soldier experi- ence &lid habits have come to hiR aid. Is not <..:hrist the true King of !Rracl? _o\re oot legions of angds at bill bidding? Reasonin:e; from himself, with sulJiers under him, he art!ues-A sentence will suffice. The faith lies in hi11 di6cernme11t of Jesus' real character, and his ready, implicit trust. Note two features in his word. Law: "I am under authority." Will: "I have under me soldiers, and I say to this one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh." These features are transferred to the conception of Jesus. Grand for its 6iruµlicity is this inner apprehension of Jesus' Pereon. The value of faith is that it opens the mind to the Lord. It is a poor, empty hand, but it lays hold of the law aud the will It ill the "Amen" in which the soul appropriates the health of God's countenance. JIL 1TB INFLUENOE. See the directions along which it wrQught. 1. Zeal for the worship of God. "He loveth our nation." This of it8elf ie sufficiently strange, But "ht bath built us a i;vnagogue.• There was a spiritual want in his neigbbonrhoc)(l. WLa~ excuses he mi.i:;ht have offered! "Help tlie~e Jcwd? I duo't belong to their arr. m. 1-60.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO BT. LUKE. 181