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An Army Officer Asks Help for His Servant
This chapter is based on Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-17.
Christ was sad that His own nation wanted outward signs that
He was the Messiah. But He was amazed that the centurion who
came to Him did not even ask Him to come in person to perform the
miracle. “Only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.”
The centurion’s servant was paralyzed and at the point of death.
Among the Romans, servants were slaves, bought and sold and
treated with abuse and cruelty. But the centurion, tenderly attached
to his servant, very much wanted him to recover. He believed that
Jesus could heal him. The reports he heard had inspired him with
faith.
This Roman was convinced that the Jews’ religion was better
than his own. He had broken through the prejudice and hatred that
separated the conquerors from those they had conquered and had
shown kindness to the Jews. The teaching of Christ met the needs of
his heart. All that was spiritual within him responded to the Savior’s
words. But he felt unworthy to come into Jesus’ presence, so he
appealed to the Jewish elders to request the healing of his servant.
They were acquainted with the Great Teacher and would, he thought,
know how to approach Him in a way to win His favor. As Jesus
entered Capernaum, a delegation of the elders met Him. They urged
that “the one for whom He should do this was worthy, ‘for he loves
our nation, and has built us a synagogue.’”
Jesus immediately set out for the officer’s home, but the crowds
pressed in on Him, and He advanced slowly. The centurion, in his
self-distrust, sent Him the message, “Lord, ... I am not worthy that
You should enter under my roof.” But the Savior kept on His way.
Daring at last to approach Him, the centurion said, “I did not even
think myself worthy to come to You.” “Only speak a word, and my
servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having
soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to
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