Jesus marvelled

And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die. 

And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant. 

And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this: 

For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. 

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 I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: 

Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. 

For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 

When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. 

Luk 7:2-9 

 

There are three separate spectators of every man's life—himself, his neighbors, and his God. Let us consider concerning this man—

I. WHAT HIS NEIGHBOURS THOUGHT OF HIM—that he was worthy.

1. They formed their opinion of his character from his conduct—"He loveth," &c. They judged of his worth, not by his words but by his works.

2. Their estimate of his character was singularly just.

II. WHAT HE THOUGHT OF HIMSELF—"I am not worthy." Doubtless this feeling of unworthiness which prompted him to procure the services of the Jewish elders, instead of going direct to Christ himself.

1. A truly good man has a higher standard of moral excellence than other men.

2. A truly good man is conscious of numerous imperfections which other men do not perceive.

III. WHAT THE SAVIOUR THOUGHT OF HIM—"I have not found so great faith," &c.

1. Christ estimates a man's character according to the amount of his faith.

2. All true faith prompts to corresponding activity in doing good. Morality without faith is heathenism, and faith without morality is antinomianism. (W. Kirkman.)

 

The threefold influence of faith

I. THE INFLUENCE OF FAITH UPON SOCIETY—"He is worthy."

1. Faith influencing society through the lowest natural means. Stones and mortar. "He hath built us a synagogue."

2. Faith influencing society through the highest human means. Philanthropy. "He loveth our nation."

3. Faith continuing to influence society independently of the means by which it manifested itself. Every heart says till this day, "He is worthy."

II. THE INFLUENCE OF FAITH UPON THE MAN HIMSELF.

1. It gives man a right estimate of himself—"I am not worthy."

2. It gives him the right estimate of what he has—"Under my roof."

3. It gives man right ideas of God—"Speak the word only." He believed

(a) that Christ has authority to speak;

(b) in His willingness to speak;

(c) in His power to accomplish—"And my servant shall be healed."

4. It gives to the soul the right idea of duty. Loving the nation and caring for the welfare of his domestics.

5. It gives to the soul the right religious impulse—"He hath built us a synagogue."

6. It converts the soul into a most Christ-like aspect. Disinterestedness pervades all the centurion's acts. All for others.

III. THE INFLUENCE OF FAITH UPON THE SAVIOUR—"I have not found so great faith," &c.

1. The uniqueness of the faith. It took the Savior by surprise.

2. The clear conception which his faith had of the person of the Savior.

3. The estimate which his faith had formed of the Savior's feelings. Believed there were sympathy and tenderness in the Savior's heart.

4. The estimate which he had formed of the resources at the Savior's command.

5. His implicit confidence in the Savior in His absence.

6. The Savior's unreserved compliance with the centurion's request, and the desired blessing bestowed. (W. A. Edwards.)

 

Christ marveling

 I do not know that we ever feel the immense interval between ourselves and the Son of Man more keenly than when we compare that which astonishes us with that which astonishes Him. To us, as a rule, the word "miracles" denotes mere physical wonders; and these are so wonderful to us as to be well-nigh incredible. But in Him they awake no astonishment. He never speaks of them with the faintest accent of surprise. He set so little store by them that He often seemed reluctant to work them, and openly expressed His wish that those on or for whom they had been wrought would tell no man of them. What does astonish Him is not these outward wonders so surprising to us, but that inward wonder, the mystery of man's soul, the miraculous power which we often exercise without a thought of surprise, the power of opening and shutting that door or window of the soul which looks heavenward, and through which alone the glories of the spiritual world can stream in upon us. Only twice are we told that He marveled to whom all the secrets of Nature and Life lay open; once at the unbelief of men, and once at their faith. When He came to His own, and they received Him not, He was driven from His wonted calm by an immeasurable surprise: He marveled at their unbelief (Mar 6:6); and, again, when He came to those to whom He was a Stranger, and they took Him in, He was beyond all measure astonished; He marveled at their prompt and vigorous faith. (S. Cox, D. D.)