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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 2
into wine, and drive out the desecrators of the temple, could raise his
son to health even from the brink of the grave. Capernaum was quite a
distance from Cana, and the centurion feared that, if he left his home
to seek Jesus and present his plea to him, the child, who was very low,
might die in his absence. Yet he dared not trust this errand to a servant;
for he hoped that the prayers of a fond parent might touch the heart of
the great Physician with pity, and induce him to accompany the father
to the bedside of his dying son.
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He went to Cana, hastening for fear of being too late. Forcing a
passage through the crowd that surrounded Jesus, he at length stood
before him. But his faith faltered when he saw only a plainly dressed
man, dusty and worn with travel. He doubted that this person could do
what he had come to ask of him; yet he determined to make a trial. He
secured a hearing from Jesus, told him his errand, and besought the
Saviour to accompany him to his home for the purpose of healing his
son. But Jesus already knew of his sorrow. Even before the centurion
had left his home, the pitying Redeemer had read the father’s grief,
and his great heart of love had gone out in sympathy for the suffering
child.
But he was also aware that the father had made conditions in his
mind concerning his belief in the Saviour. Unless his petition should
be granted he would not have faith in him as the Messiah. While the
father waited in an agony of suspense, Jesus addressed him, “Except
ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.” He here revealed the
superficial faith of the centurion, that would lead him to accept or
reject Christ according as he did or did not perform the work required
of him.
Jesus designed, not only to heal the child, but to illuminate the
darkened mind of the father. He saw unbelief struggling with his faith.
He knew that this man had sought his help as a last and only hope. In
this centurion he saw represented the condition of many of his nation.
They were interested in Jesus from selfish motives; they desired some
special benefit that they hoped to receive through his power, but they
were ignorant as to their spiritual disease, and saw not their terrible
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need of divine grace, but staked their faith on the granting of some
temporal favor. Jesus met this case as illustrating the position of many
of the Jewish people. He contrasted this questioning unbelief with the
faith of the Samaritans, who were ready to receive him as a teacher