A Centurion’s Servant Healed

A centurion’s servant was lying sick with palsy. Among the Romans the servants were slaves, bought and sold in the marketplaces, and often were treated with abuse and cruelty. But the centurion was tenderly attached to his servant and greatly desired to have him recover. He believed that Jesus could heal him. He had not seen the Savior, but the reports he had heard inspired him with faith. Despite the formalism of the Jews, this Roman was convinced that their religion was superior to his own. Already he had broken through the barriers of national prejudice and hatred that separated the conquerors from the conquered people. He had manifested respect for the service of God and had shown kindness to the Jews as His worshipers. In the teaching of Christ, as it had been reported to him, he found that which met the need of the soul. All that was spiritual 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.MHH 29.3

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.MHH 29.4

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.MHH 29.5

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.MHH 29.6

“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.”MHH 29.7

“‘As you have believed,’” Christ said, “‘let it be done for you.’ And his servant was healed that same hour.” Matthew 8:13.MHH 29.8

The Jewish elders had commended the centurion to Christ because 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.MHH 30.1

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:MHH 30.2

“In my hand no price I bring;
Simply to Thy cross I cling.”
MHH 30.3

“‘If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.’” Mark 9:23. It is faith that connects us with heaven and brings us strength for coping with the powers of darkness. In Christ, God has provided means for subduing every evil trait and resisting every temptation, however strong. Many feel that they lack faith, therefore they remain away from Christ. But these souls, in their helpless unworthiness, should cast themselves upon the mercy of their compassionate Savior. Don’t look to self but to Christ. He who healed the sick and cast out demons when He was on earth is still the mighty Redeemer. Then grasp His promises as leaves from the tree of life: “‘The one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.’” John 6:37. As you come to Him, believe that He accepts you, because He has promised. You can never perish while you do this—never.MHH 30.4

“God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8. And “if God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” Romans 8:31, 32.MHH 30.5

“I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Verses 38, 39.MHH 30.6