LESSON IV.—SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 1900
THE CENTURION'S SERVANT HEALED.
1 "After He had ended all His sayings in the ears of the people, He entered into Capernaum. 2 "And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick and at the point of death. And when he heard concerning Jesus, he sent unto Him elders of the Jews, asking Him that He would come and save his servant. And they, when they came to Jesus, besought Him earnestly, saying, He is worthy that Thou shouldest do this for him; 5 for he loveth our nation, and himself built us our synagogue. And 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 I am not worthy that Thou 7 shouldest come under my roof; wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto Thee; but say the word, and my 8 servant shall be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, having under myself soldiers; and I say to this one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. And when Jesus 9 heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned and said unto the multitude that followed Him, I say unto you, I have 10 not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole." Golden Text: "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him." Ps. 103:13. (1) When the Saviour had finished His sermon on the mount, to what city did He go? V. 1. (2) What case of needed healing was at once brought to His attention? What was the condition of this man? What is recorded of the centurion's regard for his servant? V. 2. Note 1. (3) Whom did he send to Jesus? With what request? V. 3. (4) What did these men do when they found Jesus? What did they say in reference to the case? V. 4. Note 2. (5) What reason did they give why Christ should gratify the centurion's wish? V. 5. (6) What did Jesus do in reference to the matter? What message did the centurion send to Jesus before He reached the house? What was the centurion's feeling in regard to his own worth? V. 6. (7) For what other act did he consider himself unworthy? But in what words did he show his great faith in Jesus' power? V. 7. (8) By what clear argument did the centurion show the reasonableness of belief in divine healing? V. 8. Note 3. (9) How was this message regarded by the Saviour? What did He say in regard to it to those who accompanied Him? V. 9. (10) What did the centurion's messengers find on returning to the house where the sick servant lay? V. 10. Note 4. 1. A certain centurion's servant.—A centurion was a Roman officer, captain over a company of men, numbering about one hundred. All Palestine was at this time under Roman military government, and garrisons were established in various towns. This officer was doubtless connected with the Capernaum garrison. Something of the nature of the man may be drawn from the attachment for his servant, his slave, and the fact that he was so solicitous for his servant's recovery. The position which he took in reference to the Jewish religion, while an officer of the Roman army, shows the real worth of the man's character; for the Jews were despised by the Romans. 2. He is worthy that thou shouldest do this.—The Jewish leaders were very anxious that Jesus should do what the centurion requested, because of the favor which the centurion had shown to them. They wished to retain that favor, and would use the centurion's attitude toward them as an argument why Jesus should heal the servant if He could. Note the difference between their estimate of the man and his own estimate of himself, as shown in verses 6 and 7. "The Jewish leaders who recommended the centurion to Christ, had shown how far they were from possessing the spirit of the Gospel. They did not recognize that our great need is our only claim on God's mercy. In their self-righteousness they commended the centurion because of the favor he had shown to 'our nation.' But the centurion said of himself, 'I am not worthy.' His heart had been touched by the grace of Christ. He saw his own unworthiness; yet he feared not to ask help. He trusted not to his own goodness; his argument was his great need. His faith took hold upon Christ in His true character."—Desire of Ages. 3. I also am a man set under authority, etc.—"As I represent the power of Rome, and my soldiers recognize my authority as supreme, so dost thou represent the power of the infinite God, and all created things obey Thy word. Thou canst command the disease to depart, and it shall obey Thee. Thou canst summon thy heavenly messengers, and they shall impart healing virtue. Speak but the word, and my servant shall be healed."—Desire of Ages. 4. Found the servant whole.—Christ had spoken the word, as the centurion had expected. Jesus said to the centurion, as recorded in Matt. 8:13, "Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee." It seems that the latter part of the message given to the Saviour before reaching the centurion's house was delivered by the centurion himself. The account in Matthew clearly indicates that this officer himself met the Saviour, and addressed Him and was addressed by Him.