Centurion’s Son
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sent by God, and to accept him as the promised Messiah without a
sign or miracle to establish his divinity.
The father’s soul was stirred to its depths with the thought that
his doubts might cost him the life of his son. The words of Jesus
had the desired effect; the centurion saw that his motives in seeking
the Saviour were purely selfish; his vacillating faith appeared before
him in its true light; he realized that he was indeed in the presence of
One who could read the hearts of men, and to whom all things were
possible. This thought brings his suffering child to his mind with new
vividness, and he cries out in an agony of supplication, “Sir, come
down ere my child die!”
He fears that while he has been doubting and questioning, death
may have closed the scene. This was enough. The father in his need
seizes the merits of Jesus as his Saviour. In demanding him to come
down ere his child dies, he clings alone to the strength of Jesus as
his only hope. His faith is as imperative as was that of Jacob, when,
wrestling with the mighty angel, he cried, “I will not let thee go, except
thou bless me!”
Jesus responds to the demands of the centurion by commanding
him, “Go thy way; thy son liveth.” These brief and simple words thrill
through the heart of the father; he feels the holy power of the speaker
in every tone. Instead of going to Capernaum, Jesus, by a flash of
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divine telegraphy, sends the message of healing to the bedside of the
suffering son. He dismisses the suppliant, who, with unspeakable
gratitude, and perfect faith in the words of the Saviour, turns his steps
homeward with a peace and joy he has never felt before.
At the same hour the watchers stood around the dying child, in the
distant home of the centurion. The form that had been so strong and
symmetrical in its youthful grace, was now worn and emaciated. The
hollow cheeks burned with a hectic fire. Suddenly the fever leaves him,
intelligence beams from his eyes, his mind becomes clear, and health
and strength return to his body. The fever has left him in the very heat
of the day. The attendants behold the change with amazement; the
family is summoned, and great is the rejoicing. No signs of his malady
linger about the child, his burning flesh has become soft and moist,
and he sinks into the peaceful slumber of childhood.
Meanwhile the father hastens on his way with a hopeful heart.
He went to Jesus with grief and trembling. He leaves him in joy and