The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1900-04-19
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
Leason in the International Series for
April ~, 1OOO-The Centuion's
Servant Healed.
Prepared by H. c. Lenington.1
THE LESSON TEXT.

prepared by II. &. Lenington.J
THE LESSON TEXT.
duke 7:l-10.)
1. Now when he had ended all His say
ing In the audience of the people, he en-
tered into Capernaum
q And certain centurion's servant. who
was dear unto Him. was sick. and ready to
die.
g. And when he heard of Jesus, he sent
unto Him the elders of the Jews, beseech-
ing Him that He would come and heal his
servant.
T. And when they came to Jesus. they be-
sought Him Instantly. saying: That he
was worthy for whom He should do this;
5. For he loveth our nation, and he hath
built us a synagogue. w
g. Then Jesus went with them. And when
He was now not far from the house. the
centurion sent friends to Him, saying unto
Him: Lord. trouble not Thyself; for am
not worthy that Thou shoudest enter un-
der my roof;
T. Wherefore neither thought l myself
worthy to come unto Thee; but say In a
word, and my servant shal be healed.
For / also am a man set under author
ity, having under me soldiers. and 1 say
unto one: Go. and he goeth: and to another:
Come, and he cometh; and to my servant:
Do this, and he doeth 1t.
8. When Jesus heard these things. He
marveled at him. and turned him about,
and said unto the people that followed
Him: say unto you. have not found so
great faith, no. not In Israel.
10. And they that were sent returning to
the house, found the servant whole that
had been sick.
GOLDEN TEXT. - Like as a father
pitieth his children, 80 the Lord pitieth
them that fear Him.-Psa. l0S:13.
NOTES AND COMMENTS
The healing of the centurion's serv-
ant was one of the many miracles
which Jesus performed Immediately
after the sermon on the mount. 1t has
been noted that the three chapters
which Matthew gives to the sermon
are followed by two chapters of
miracles. The event of the lesson took
place at Capernaum, which we remem-
Der is the city where Jesus made His
home after the rejection at Nazareth.
Study not only the lesson text but it's
parallel in Matthew S:5-13, and the
teaching may be presented under four
heads:
~ Character of the Centurion.
~ Emphasis Jesus Lays on Faith.
(0 Promise to the Gentiles.
(D Healing Of the Servant
Character of the Centurion.-The
centurion is an interesting object for
q character study. What Luke and
Matthew say Of him occupies few
verses, but is decidedly to the point.
From what we are told of the man we
can picture him as one of quiet and
unassuming dignity. We are told that
''he was worthy" And the fact that
he gould get the elders of the Jews to
go for him to Jesus shows that he
commanded the honor and respect Of
others. He was man in authority,
being rs centurion in command Of
about a hundred men; but he was also
under authority, and knew how to
obey. In spite Of the good opinion OF
others and the position he held in the
Roman army, he counted himself not
worthy that Jesus should enter under
his roof. He was kindly man, for
we are told his servant was dear unto
him." and beside the elders referred
to him as one who ''loveth our ma
tion." We know he was a religious
man, for he had founded synagogue.
Chief of all his good qualities was
that of faith, and Jesus especially COM
meDded it.
Emphasis Jesus Lays on Faith
1t is In just such man that we would
look for faith, faith in God and faith
in men. Faith is the foundation upon
which all strong character is built.
Jesus had performed many wonderful
miracles In Capernaum, and when the
centurion heard of Him he sent for
the help He alone could give. The
servant was near to death. Jesus had
helped others, and he believed that
He could help him. Jesus came, and
when He was near the house the CEN
surion came ont. He had not meant
that Jesus should go to the trouble
of coming to him. He reasoned that
as he could send one of his soldiers
to do certain thing. SO Jesus. in COM
mand not only of material things,
but of things spiritual, could have
but spoken, and his servant would be
healed. Marvellous faith! No won
der Jesus exclaimed: 81 have not
found so great faith. no, not in Is
rael"
We may note that Jesus certainly
knew as much about this centurion us
we can know from the story we have
Perhaps He knew more, living in the
lame town where this officer had his
headquarters. He knew the man had
the rood qualities that we have men
toned, but He pointed out not his evil
dent humility, not the kindness of
heart he exhibited, not his benevo-
lence. but his faith Faith is the
chief of all the qualities of the heart
save that of love. and faith and love
go together. "Now abideth faith,
hope, love-"
Promise to the Gentiles.-Matthew
(s:11, 12) records what Luke omits.
the remark of Jesus which may be
4 construed into promise to the Cen
tile world. He says: MANY shall
come from the east and west (outside
of the chosen people), and shall sit
down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
in the kingdom of Heaven.
Healing of the Servant.-"And Jesus
said unto the centurion, Go thy way;
and as thou has believed. SO be il
doRe unto thee. And his servant was
healed in the selfsame hour."-Mat-
thew 9:13.
Religious Thought.
Like the needles to the north pole