Basic HTML Version
Touch of Faith
39
within him responded to the Savior’s words. But feeling himself
unworthy to approach Jesus, he appealed to the Jewish elders to ask
that his servant be healed.
The elders present the case to Jesus, urging that “the one for
whom He should do this was deserving, ‘for he loves our nation,
and has built us a synagogue.’”
Luke 7:4, 5
.
But on the way to the centurion’s home, Jesus receives a message
from the officer himself, “‘Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am
not worthy that You should enter under my roof.’”
Verse 6
.
Still the Savior keeps on His way, and the centurion comes in
person to complete the message, saying, “‘Therefore I did not even
think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my
servant will be healed. For I also am a man placed under authority,
having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, “Go,” and he goes;
and to another, “Come,” and he comes; and to my servant, “Do this,”
and he does it.’”
Verses 7, 8
.
“I represent the power of Rome, and my soldiers recognize my
authority as supreme. So do You represent the power of the infinite
God, and all created things obey Your word. You can command the
disease to depart, and it shall obey You. Just say the word, and my
servant will be healed.”
“‘As you have believed,’” Christ said, “‘let it be done for you.’
And his servant was healed that same hour.”
Matthew 8:13
.
[30]
The Jewish elders had commended the centurion to Christ be-
cause of the favor he had shown to “‘our nation.’” He is worthy, they
said, for he “‘has built us a synagogue.’” But the centurion said of
himself, “‘I am not worthy.’” Yet he did not fear to ask help from
Jesus. Not to his own goodness did he trust, but to the Savior’s
mercy. His only argument was his great need.
In the same way every human being can come to Christ. “Not by
works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His
mercy He saved us.”
Titus 3:5
. Do you feel that because you are a
sinner you cannot hope to receive blessing from God? Remember
that Christ came into the world to save sinners. We have nothing to
recommend us to God; the plea that we may urge now and always is
our utterly helpless condition, which makes His redeeming power
a necessity. Renouncing all self-dependence, we may look to the
cross of Calvary and say: