Luke 7:1

In our Saviour's miraculous cure of the centurion's servant, we have several particulars very observable:

1. The person applying himself to our blessed Saviour for help and healing: he was. Gentile, an Heathen,. Roman soldier, an officer and commander; yet he believes in, and relies upon the power of Christ.

Note, that such is the freeness of divine grace, that it extends itself to all sorts and ranks, to all orders and degrees of men, without exception; even the bloody trade of war yields worthy clients to Christ: he does not so much regard what we are and which we are, as with what dispositions and the desires, with what purposes and inclinations, we come unto him.

Observe, 2. The person whom the centurion came to Christ for: not for himself, nor for his own, but for his servant. His servant was sick; he does not drive him out of doors, nor stand gazing by his bedside, but looks out for help and relief for him:. worthy example of humanity! Some masters have not so much regard to their sick servants as they have to their oxen and their swine. But he is not worthy of. good servant that in. time of sickness is not willing to serve his servant.

Observe, 3. Unto whom the centurion seeks, and with what zeal and application; he seeks not to wizards and conjurers, but to the physician, for his sick servant; yea, to Christ, the chief Physician; and this not with. formal relation in his mouth, but with. vehement aggravation of his disease. My servant lies sick of the palsy, grievously tormented, Matthew 8:6 Where the master's condolency, and tender sympathy, with his afflicted servant, is both matter of commendation and imitation.

Observe, 4. The happy mixture of humility and faith which was found in this centurion. See his wonderful humility in not thinking himself worthy to come into Christ's presence, or that Christ should come under his roof. The best men have always the lowest thoughts of themselves; when we esteem ourselves unworthy of any favors, Christ accounts us worthy of all.

See also his faith in Christ's divine power; he believed that Christ was able at. distance, and by. single word, to command off the distemper of his servant; he tells him, that diseases were as much at Christ's command, as his servants were at his command.

Humility, we see, is both the fruit of faith, and the companion of faith. An humble soul has evermore an high esteem of Christ's power, and. low esteem of itself.

Observe, 5. How our blessed saviour exceeds not only the centurion's desires, but his expectations. Jesus saith unto him,. will come and heal him. Matthew 8:7.

O wonderful condescension. In John 4:47 we read of. certain nobleman and ruler that twice entreated our Saviour to come to his house and heal his son, but our Lord refused. Here the centurion does but barely tell Christ of his poor servant's sickness, and Christ, both unasked and undesired, says, I will come and heal him.

O how far is Christ from seeming in the least to honor riches and despise poverty! He that came in the form of. servant goes down to visit. sick servant upon his poor pallet bed, who did not come near the rich couch of the ruler's son.

Observe, 6. The notice and observation which our Saviour takes of the centurion's faith: he wondered at it from him. Admiration agreed not to Christ as God, but as man it did. Christ wrought faith as God, and wondered at it as man. What can be more wonderful than to see Christ wonder? We find not our Saviour wondering at worldy pomp and greatness: when the disciples wondered at the magnificence and stately buildings of the temple, Christ rather rebuked them than wondered with them; but when he sees the gracious act and exercise of fatih, he is ravished with wonder.

Let it teach us to place our admiration where Christ fixes his; let us be more affected with the least measure of grace in. good man, than with all the gaities and glories of. great man; let us not envy the one, but admire and imitate the other.

Observe, lastly, Christ does not only admire the centurion's faith, but publishes it: Verily. have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel; that is, amongst the generality of the Jewish nation.

For, as to particular persons, several had showed. greater faith that this, as Joseph and Mary. This expression lets us know, that where the means of faith are but small, the nobler act and exercise of faith are wonderful and soul amazing.