Matthew 8:5-10 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came to him a centurion, beseeching him,… I. IN ALL THE SICK THE HIGHEST HONOUR GIVEN TO A DYING SLAVE. 1. He is honoured by his master because he is faithful and obedient. Also because he was probably a believer in the God of Israel. How anxious ought we to be for the spiritual good of our friends, if centurion so anxious for bodily healing. 2. The whole city is moved on behalf of this poor, dying stranger; it is this which exalts his case above all the other sick in the gospel narratives. 3. The Lord Himself honours this dying stranger, saying, "I will come and heal him." Jesus had a hard day's work, and might have spared Himself this visit to the sick bed. II. THE DEEPEST HUMILITY HID IN THE HEART OF A ROMAN COMMANDER. 1. The centurion is the only example of a man who thought himself unworthy to come to Christ, to speak to Jesus personally. How unworthy are we to address God! 2. He is the only man who thinks his house unworthy of Christ. Probably he had a good official residence. III. THE STRONGEST FAITH FOUND IN A GENTILE SOLDIER. The strength of his faith is connected with the depth of his humility; faith the root of every grace. 1. His faith discerns in the Son of Mary the unseen arm of the Lord. 2. His faith so discerns Christ as to make his own unworthiness no barrier to Christ's work. (A. M. Stuart.) Parallel Verses KJV: And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,WEB: When he came into Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking him, |
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