The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-04-04

M.-Luke vii. liz. Th.-John Xi. 1-19.
T.-Matt. wifi. l. lib F.-John Xi. 1929.
W.-John XII. 3O-4 81 Cor XIV. 1920.
Sun.-Luke vii. Ill.
A centurion Roman army officer having
command of hundred men. -Four centurions are
mentioned in the New Testament and all in honor
able terms. One was the officer in command of
guard of soldiers at the cross who made the great
confession, Truly, thou art the Son of Cod" An
other was Cornelius Acts, TO- the first GENTLE
vert received into the Christian Church. Another
julius, the officer who escorted Paul to Rome,
and model of courtesy and kindness. The
centurion of our lesson, like Cornelius, already
proselyte to the Jewish religion. Born pagan,
educated In Rome army officer accustomed to
the gross evils and corruptfons of his day. yet
led to think of him weary at heart anxious
to know the truth, seeking light in the grossest
darkness. He is called 1.-The Centurion of great
faith" Jesus had been preaching and teaching in
the town and villages of Galfee. when he had
ended all his sayings in the audience Cor ears) of
the people," he into Capernaum, by the
shore, where he gave much gracious ministry of
word and deed. He had entered the
town than opportunity came for his power and
love. "a certain centurion whose name is not
given: it is written in heaven; had servant dear
unto him" 1t of the goodness and greatness
OF his heart that he loved his servant. In all forms
of servitude slavery, Roman and American,
there have been many such cases; and many also
where the servant loved the master. The servant
sick, ready to die" when he heard of Jesus;
that enough. Just what he heard do not
know. but no doubt it concerning hts compass
sion for the sick and troubled and his power to
save
% The Prayer of Faith. vs. ID. First he sent
the elders of the Jews; they ought to know this
Jesus and perhaps would readily persuade him.
"Beseechng-come and heal his servant" So they
came and besought him Instantly or earnestly tes-
tifyng that he worthy; he had been a generous
benefactor of the Jews at Capernaum. He loved
them and built them synagogue AS Jesus went
and when not far from the house, the centurion
sent friends with the message trouble not thy
SELF not worthy" He did come himself
with the message, for he thought that he not
worthy. His esteem for Jesus was unlike that
of his people, priests, scribes, rulers "Say
i'm a word" SAY the word" and my servant
shall be healed" That vision of the
divine power of Christ, and great faith. At a dis
lance he could heal well as in the home and by
the bedside.
(2) The Humility OF True Faith. VS.. Al HumiIi-
ty belongs to all faith in Christ and is in every
true prayer over and over again he said Il am
not worthy" An official of rank in the army of
occupation, he looked up to Jesus the Nazarene as
much higher and better. God be mercfful to
me sinner" Let thy mercies come also unto me-
Lord" He not worthy to have Jesus come
his house, though he was a centurion, a rich
man, and has the gratitude of the people
Say the word where thou art and my servant shall
be healed"
CD The Confidence of Faith. VS.. is. 1t was not
only that he unworthy but that it not
necessary for Jesus to come under his roof. A
word from him would do the work. The centurion
had illustration ready. His own word suf-
fcent for the soldiers under his command Sick
absolutely under the power Of Jesus.
Just he himself said Ego" and come" to his
they obeyed so when Jesus would say to the palsy
go" it would obey. Sickness, demons, sea and
wind and death obedient to our Lord. It is
written, Psalm xxs, 9, For he spake and it was
done, he commanded and it stood fast" And Psalm
cut % To bfe nd ..YTI
CD The Reward Of Faith. VS. O. 10 Jesus "mar-
velled." wondered at the great faith Of this Roman