We pass at once from the miserable leper to the Roman officer. Both have faith in Christ, and in their faith they possess much in common. Yet the centurion has interesting traits of his own. Faith takes different forms according to the character and habit of mind of those in whom it shows itself. Something special is revealed in this soldier's faith.

I. IT IS INSPIRED BY KINDNESS OF HEART. The centurion seeks no favour for himself. He is troubled about his valet, his "boy." The distress of the poor lad so touches the master's heart that he goes out to seek for the Healer. We may have faith for the sake of others as well as for our own benefit. Kindness is a good preparation for faith. Selfishness is often cynical, and cynicism is always sceptical. We may learn faith in the school of love. As we feel kindly to others we shall discover how to trust in Christ, for we shall thus come to understand Christ by sharing the spirit that is in him.

II. IT IS TRIED BY HUMILITY. Christ belonged to the despised race of the subject Jews; the centurion was an officer in the proud army of the imperial government. It was difficult for a Roman not to despise a Jew. There must have been something very fine in the nature of this man to allow of his having emancipated himself from the prejudices of his caste, so as to be able to perceive the greatness of Christ and to feel lowly and bumble by the side of him. A low estimate of one's self helps one to look up to the greatness of Christ; at the same time,.it tries faith by creating a sense of utter unworthiness.

III. IT IS ENLIGHTENED BY EXPERIENCE. The centurion knew power. He exercised it on those beneath him; he felt it from those above him. The whole of the iron structure of the Roman empire was knit together by means of authority and absolute obedience. In this stern school the centurion had learnt lessons that enabled him to believe in the irresistible power of Christ's word of command. We can best understand religion if we interpret it in terms of our own experience. It will then take different forms from those of established usage. But it will not suffer on that account. On the contrary, it will become wonderfully fresh and vivid.

IV. IT IS LED TO SEE RIGHTFUL POWER. This is the special advantage of a Roman training. The Jew would look for legal fitness, the Greek for truth and beauty, the Roman for authority. Thus the man trained in the discipline of an imperial army is able to interpret to us an aspect of the character and life of our Lord which but for him we might have missed. It is important to recognize the authority of Christ, his command over nature, his power over man. He saves by his strong arm.

V. IT IS REWARDED WITH ADMIRING RECOGNITION. Here is a man of heathen birth showing greater faith than Jews possess. The New Testament always gives us favourable portraits of Roman centurions, and thus lets us see that there was good in the Gentile world. Christ was the first to recognize this. No eye was so keen for goodness in unexpected quarters as his. He is no respecter of persons. He is generous to recognize all hopeful signs. And when he recognizes them he responds. The lad is healed by a word from a distance - a most exceptional action. But the centurion's faith is exceptional, and the Divine blessing is always according to our faith. - W.F.A.

It is sometimes said that religion is not a thing for men.

I. Look at this soldier's FAITH. It Was the faith of a man; no sign of weakness or effeminacy.

II. Look at this soldier's HUMILITY. It was the humility of a man; not mere subservience, which bends before title, wealth, and perhaps not before God. It is an elevating thing to bend before such a God as ours.

III. Look at this soldier's AFFECTION. Human affections not to be sneered at. These are the qualities of true manhood.

(A. G. Bowman, M. A.)

1. The duty of masters in relation to their servants.

2. The duty of making intercession on behalf of others at the throne of grace, and the encouragement given thereto.

3. The intimate connection between great faith and great humility.

(A. Peebles.)

I. In the centurion we have AN INSTRUCTIVE EXAMPLE TO PETITIONERS.

1. His benevolence in applying to Christ on behalf of the sick servant. He had not been hardened by scenes of war. The prudence and diligence of the servant won his esteem. Providence compensates cruelty or attention towards servants; this sickness brought the centurion into contact with Our Lord.

2. The humility that declined the Saviour's offer — "I will come and heal him." What conscious power; prompt kindness; unwearied benevolence! The military spirit often haughty.

3. The faith that asked only a word from the Saviour's lips. He was convinced of Christ's supremacy.

II. In the Saviour we have AN EDIFYING PATTERN TO BENEFACTORS.

1. His admiration of the centurion's faith. Christ, who saw all the glory of the world — wealth, valour, culture — admires faith more than all.

2. Christ's warning to the Jewish nation — "Many shall come," etc. (ver. 11).

3. The miracle of healing on the servant.

(J. Bennett, D. D.)

I. IN ALL THE SICK THE HIGHEST HONOUR GIVEN TO A DYING SLAVE.

1. He is honoured by his master because he is faithful and obedient. Also because he was probably a believer in the God of Israel. How anxious ought we to be for the spiritual good of our friends, if centurion so anxious for bodily healing.

2. The whole city is moved on behalf of this poor, dying stranger; it is this which exalts his case above all the other sick in the gospel narratives.

3. The Lord Himself honours this dying stranger, saying, "I will come and heal him." Jesus had a hard day's work, and might have spared Himself this visit to the sick bed.

II. THE DEEPEST HUMILITY HID IN THE HEART OF A ROMAN COMMANDER.

1. The centurion is the only example of a man who thought himself unworthy to come to Christ, to speak to Jesus personally. How unworthy are we to address God!

2. He is the only man who thinks his house unworthy of Christ. Probably he had a good official residence.

III. THE STRONGEST FAITH FOUND IN A GENTILE SOLDIER. The strength of his faith is connected with the depth of his humility; faith the root of every grace.

1. His faith discerns in the Son of Mary the unseen arm of the Lord.

2. His faith so discerns Christ as to make his own unworthiness no barrier to Christ's work.

(A. M. Stuart.)

I. WHAT DISEASE IS; WHAT PLACE IT HOLDS WITH REFERENCE TO THE OFFICE AND WORK OF THE REDEEMER. An important place from the numerous cases of cure. Disease is the beginning of death. Christ came to abolish death; by healing confirmed His mission. He showed the great restoration He came to effect in our whole nature.

1. The Son of Man came to save men's lives, not to destroy them.

2. The importance of these our bodies in the great process of redemption. Modern religion too spiritual: must better the body by civilization and art, as well as soul.

II. THE TYPICAL IMPORT OF THESE HEALING MIRACLES.

1. A type of man's great disease — sin.

2. The great command which Christ has over all diseases, as His servants, going and coming at His word.

(H. Alford, D. D.)

Our Lord did not heal the centurion's servant at once; He delays. He will allow time for the play and energy of faith. What were the characters of the centurion's faith?

1. His faith must have been a thing of gradual growth, and it must have grown under no ordinary conditions. He was a heathen. Many a man in his position would have looked at the religion around him with lack of sympathy. But he had come to see that though the Romans were better than the Jews in courage, the Jews were in possession of a higher faith. One step leads to another. He took interest in the religion of Israel: then led to notice the fame of Jesus. No help came to him from the memories of youth. When adverse circumstances do not kill faith, they brace it.

2. His faith was marked by thoroughness. .No flaws in it at a critical hour.

3. His faith was characterized by humility. Alive to the awful majesty of God.The question has been asked, Why should such a disposition and effort as faith have this power?

1. One reason of the religious power of faith is that it implies knowledge of facts of the highest importance to man.

2. It is a test or criterion of the predominant disposition of the soul or character. The believer has moral affinities with the revelation. The habit of insincerity is fatal to faith.

3. The third reason for the religious power of faith is its leverage. It sets the soul in motion, it embodies the element of will. Here a caution is necessary. Faith does not create, but apprehends its object. The healing power of Jesus is not dependent upon the centurion's faith, although exerted as a token of approval of it. Let us pray for the faith of the centurion, persevering, thorough, humble.

(Canon Liddon.)

At the time of the Franco-German War, some twelve years ago, the success of the Germans was largely attributed to the superiority of their intelligence department. They knew so much more about the strength and position of the enemy, and their own available resources, than did the French, that they conquered. Well, faith supplies the general intelligence department of the soul. Faith reports all that is of most importance to a being who is wrestling, not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. True, such information may not be acted on. The truant soul often prevails against the sense of evil; but faith does supply the information which may be acted on, and thus it contributes very efficiently indeed, a first condition of religious success.

(Canon Liddon.)

The action of faith is in Scripture represented to us not merely by that of the eye; it is also represented by that of the hand. When Scripture speaks of the believing Christian as "apprehending," or "laying hold oil" Christ our Lord, it implies that faith is a hand as well as an eye; that it is not merely spiritualized intelligence, but spiritualized will. The faith which justifies does not merely behold; it claims its object. And the effort of will, which is thus inseparable from faith, means energy — let us be quite sure of it — in a great many more directions than one.

(Canon Liddon.)

I. THAT HE ATTAINED IT UNDER UNFAVOURABLE CIRCUMSTANCES.

II. THAT HIS APPLICATION WAS MADE, NOT FOR HIMSELF, BUT FOR HIS SERVANT. His faith was thus adorned by fervent charity. We should intercede for others.

III. THAT HE DOES NOT IN WORDS ASK ANYTHING. He merely stated to Jesus the fact that his servant was ill. His faith deemed this enough to ensure relief from Christ. Jesus says, "I will come and heal him." In these words He expresses His own gracious method in dealing with mankind.

IV. THAT IT WAS TEMPERED WITH HUMILITY. A false faith known by its pride.

V. How HE USES HIS OWN REASON FOR HELP IN ESTABLISHING THIS EXCELLENT FAITH. "For I am a man under authority," etc. To us the word only is spoken. We must be healed through the influence of the written Word, if healed at all. This is the condition of our trial. Some want sensible proof of the truths of religion.

(C. Girdlestone, M. A.)

"Go thy way; .... I will stay apart from thy sick servant; .... I will take thee at thy word."

I. OBSERVE HOW THIS PROPOSAL WAS CALCULATED TO TRY THE EARNESTNESS OF HIS FAITH. HOW far we really believe may be gathered from the fruits of our faith. Let us thus test our belief in Providence, revelation, the assistance of Divine grace, of the resurrection of the body. What portion have we by real faith in these? To the centurion Christ's words were words of comfort; to his servant, of healing. Are they to us? He was justified in the profession of his faith.

II. HENCE WE MAY ACCOUNT FOR THE SLIGHT DEGREE IN WHICH WE AT PRESENT DERIVE BENEFITS FROM THE PRIVILEGES OF THE GOSPEL. It is only by believing more heartily that we can be healed more fully.

III. FROM THESE WORDS WE MAY FORM A JUST APPREHENSION ALSO OF OUR FUTURE SENTENCE. Then it will be said, "As thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee." We are graciously justified by faith.

(C. Girdlestone, M. A.)

I. THE PERFECT READINESS OF CHRIST.

II. THE CONSCIOUS ABILITY OF CHRIST.

III. THE ABIDING METHOD OF CHRIST. He spake and it was done.

1. This coming back to the original form of working in creation.

2. This method suits true humility.

3. It pleases great faith.

4. It is perfectly reasonable.

5. It is sure to succeed.

(C. H. Spurgeon.)

When William, Prince of Orange, was invited to come to England and be king, he promised certain offices to his friends, and he gave them written pledges. But when he offered such a pledge to the man who was to be his Lord Chamberlain, that nobleman replied, "Your Majesty's word is sufficient. I would not serve a king if I could not trust in his word." That saying pleased the king, and he who showed such faith in him became his favourite minister. Should we not be willing to take the word of the King of kings?

I. As AN ANSWER TO PRAYER.

1. Whose prayer was it that was here answered? A heathen's.

2. What was the prayer that was here answered'? Not personal, but relative, for another.

3. When was this prayer answered — immediately?

II. As AN INSTANCE OF CONDESCENSION.

III. As A DISPLAY OF POWER.

IV. AS AN EMBLEM OF HIS GRACE.

(W. Jay.)

1. The care of this centurion for his servant was commendable.

2. A beautiful instance of the conquest over prejudice. When prejudice shall be universally overcome, Turks and Hindoos will build Christian temples, and bigots of every sect will unite in seeking the Saviour's mercy for the wretched of our race.

3. An example of great humility. His situation was calculated to foster pride.

4. The power of grace to overcome all the obstacles of rank and condition.

5. His faith.

(W. H. Lewis.)

Look at the tops of the mountains. They represent pride. Nothing grows there. See how bare and barren they are! And then look at the quiet, low-lying valleys. They represent humility. And see how beautiful they are in their greenness and fertility! The highest branches of the vine or tree represent pride. You find no fruit on them. The low branches represent humility. These you will find bending down with the load of rich, ripe fruit that hangs upon them. A farmer went with his son into the wheat field to see if it was ready for the harvest. "See, father," said the boy, "how straight those stems hold up their heads! They must be the best ones. Those that hang down their heads, as if they were ashamed, cannot be good for much, I'm sure." The farmer plucked a stalk of each kind, and said, "Look here, foolish child. This stalk that stood up so straight is light-headed, and almost good for nothing; while this that hung its head so modestly is full of the most beautiful grain."

(R. Newton, D. D.)

Christ knew all the man had gone through to arrive at faith. Faith is a hard work: and Jesus knows it. A man who is not a real Christian sometimes shows a trust which might well put to shame the truest child of God.

I. WHAT COMPOSED THE GREATNESS OF HIS FAITH?

1. With few advantages the centurion had gone far in advance of the age.

2. Seizing the first opportunity with personal exertion, and on a loving purpose, he came to Christ.

3. Arrived in His presence, he was earnest, simple, devout.

4. At Christ's favour to him his faith rose higher, and his heart went lower.

II. How DID THAT FAITH COME? By the ways you cannot see — a grace — a creation. What makes faith grow larger?

1. Look into the constitution of faith. First, it is a clear understanding of the truth; secondly, it is a converting of the abstract truth into a thing real in the mind; thirdly, it is an appropriation, a making your own the truth understood. To increase faith these three points must he cultivated.

1. Keep pure the affections; avoid sin. Faith grows by its own actings.

2. He who would enlarge faith must feed upon promises.

3. To have found Christ as a Saviour gives faith its best impulse.

4. The measurement of everything to a Christian is the falling and rising of his faith.

(J. Vaughan, M. A.)It is evident that our religious attainments may not be equal to our opportunities of spiritual growth, and that we may be surpassed in moral excellence by those who have not enjoyed our mercies.

I. OUR ADVANTAGES AS THE PROFESSED DISCIPLES OF CHRIST. "In Judah is God known; His Name is great in Israel." Our advantages may be considered as great.

1. In our birth and education.

2. That we have the inspired volume in our own language.

3. The ordinances of the Lord are with us.

4. That we enjoy religious liberty.

II. CONSIDER THE ATTAINMENTS IN THE WAYS OF GOD. "What do we more than others?"

1. Encouragement. If we have a little faith, it is a great mercy.

2. Reproof. Have we not loitered in the ways of God?

3. Instruction. Learn to do better.

(T. Wood.)

What was there about the centurion's faith so remarkable that Christ wondered at it?

I. THAT THERE WAS SUCH FAITH FOUND IN SUCH A PERSON. Did not expect to find it in a Gentile — a Roman — a soldier, etc. The most astonishing and acceptable faith may be exercised by the most unlikely persons.

II. THE SUBJECT OF THE CENTURION'S CONFIDENCE — his servant struck with the palsy. His was a faith which took an impossibility into its hand and threw it aside, etc. There is no sin too black for His blood to wash out the stain.

III. THE REALIZING ENERGY OF THIS MAN'S FAITH which led him to deal with the case in such a business-like way. So should we.

IV. HE DID NOT ASK FOR A SIGN. Some want to feel "strong convictions," "extraordinary sensations," etc. We must accept the bare word of God in Christ Jesus as the basis of faith, for no other foundation is to be depended on for a moment.

V. His CONVICTION THAT CHRIST COULD CURE HIS SERVANT AT ONCE. Usually, successful combat with disease requires time. Pardon, a present blessing — not the result of weeks of fasting, etc.

VI. His DEEP HUMILITY, which instead of weakening his faith only strengthened it. How often the sense of unworthiness keeps from Christ — "I cannot believe, I am so great a sinner," etc. The simplicity of faith often makes it difficult.

(C. H. Spurgeon.)

This faith was remarkable, because it was —

I. GREAT IN ITSELF. The centurion believed —

1. That Christ had absolute power over disease.

2. That He could heal his servant at a distance.

3. By His word.

II. GREAT AS COMPARED WITH THAT OF THE JEWS. They were favoured with many aids to faith, while the centurion had many obstacles, etc.; yet the faith of the latter far transcended that of the former. In this we have —

1. Warning for privileged people.

2. Encouragement for those who labour under disadvantages.

III. JOINED WITH GREAT HUMILITY. "Humility is both the fruit of faith and the companion of faith; an humble soul has a high esteem of Christ, and a low esteem of himself." The faith of the centurion was —

IV. GLORIOUSLY REWARDED.

1. His servant was healed.

2. He himself was received as a citizen of the kingdom of heaven.

(W. Jones.)

The suppliant's previous history. A centurion — a Gentile.

1. He was a good neighbour.

2. He was a kind master.

I. Look at the CENTURION'S ADDRESS to the Saviour.

1. His humility. What words for a proud Roman to address to a poor Jew.

2. His faith. It took its colour from his soldier-life.

II. The SAVIOUR'S COMMENT on the conduct of this noble-minded soldier, and reflection to which it leads.

1. He announces, in connection with this remarkable display of faith, the inbringing of the Gentile nations. The Roman soldier was the earnest-sheaf of u mighty harvest yet to he reaped in heathen lands, o. That in every profession and occupation of life a man may serve God. His military habits fed his faith.

3. Great faith is fostered in the midst of difficulties.

(J. R. Macduff, D. D.).

1. The value of faith.

2. The value of intercession.

3. The value of Christ's intercession.

(T. R. Stevenson.)

"I am not worthy." Personal humility, met, limited, and directed by personal faith. Many say of the Holy Communion that they are unworthy.

1. But this humility, if really what it ought to be, should lead us directly to the performance of this sacred duty. Our humility should take the form of that in our text. The communicant can't be worthy as far as real worthiness is concerned.

2. But it is at this point that our humility should he met, limited, and directed by our faith. The centurion's sense of unworthiness did not turn him aside from duty, from beseeching our Lord to help him; it delicately gave greater force to his request.

3. Our humility, if sincere, will issue in our greater confidence in God's mercy.

(J. Puckle, M. A.)

On which side of the garden wall, children, would you expect to get the finest fruit — on the inside, where the gardener has carefully tended the fruit, or on the other side, where the seed has accidentally dropped and grown up by itself? On the inside, would not you say? And if you found on the other side more order and better fruit than inside, you would be very much astonished. So was Jesus when He found this heathen man with such a beautiful trust and character as He had not met with among His own people — the sons of Abraham.

The temptations incident to a military life are neither few nor small. Camps are not churches. Barracks are often baleful. We may, therefore. safely affirm that if a holy life can be lived there, it can be lived anywhere. "God is able to make you stand," though your lot be cast in " slippery places." The leaves of some plants may be plunged in water and taken out dry. They are so defended by a fine, thick down all over their surface that water will lie in "minature lakes" in their hollows for hours, and leave no tinge of dampness. By God's grace the plant of piety may be surrounded by evil influences and yet preserved from their power.

(T. R. Stevenson.)

One day when Napoleon

I. was reviewing his troops in Paris, he let fall the reins of his horse upon the animal's neck, when the proud charger galloped away. Before the rider could recover the bridle, a common soldier ran out from the ranks, caught the reins, stopped the horse, and placed the bridle again in the hands of the Emperor. "Much obliged to you, captain," said Napoleon. The man immediately believed the chief and said, 'Of what regiment, sir? Napoleon, delighted with his quick perception and manly trust in his word, replied, "Of my guards," and rode away, As soon as the Emperor left the soldier laid down his gun, saying, "He may take it who will," and started for the Company of Staff Officers... and so the soldier came duly to his post as Captain of Napoleon's Guard.

(Sibbs.)

Esaias, Isaac, Isaiah, Jacob, Jesus, PeterCapernaum, Gadara, Galilee, Sea of GalileeAsking, Beseeching, Calling, Capernaum, Caper'na-um, Captain, Centurion, Entered, Entreated, Entry, Forward, Imploring, Request1. Jesus cleanses the leper;
5. heals the centurion's servant,
14. Peter's mother in law,
16. and many others;
18. shows the cost of following him;
23. stills the storm on the sea;
28. drives the demons out of two men possessed;
31. and tells them to go into the pigs.

Matthew 8:5

     5208   armies
     5489   rank

Matthew 8:4-13

     5433   occupations

Matthew 8:5-9

     5250   centurion
     8308   modesty

Matthew 8:5-13

     6689   mercy, of Christ
     7512   Gentiles, in NT
     8611   prayer, for others
     8612   prayer, and faith
     8617   prayer, effective

The Touch that Cleanses
'When He was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. 1. And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped Him, saying, Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean. 3. And Jesus put forth His hand, and touched him, saying, I will; he thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4. And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.'--MATT. viii. 14. THE great collection …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Healing Christ
'Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.'--MATT. viii. 17. You will remember, probably, that in our Old Testament translation of these words they are made to refer to man's mental and spiritual evils: 'He bare our griefs and carried our sorrows.' Our evangelist takes them to refer, certainly not exclusively, but in part, to men's corporeal evils--'our infirmities' (bodily weaknesses, that is) 'and our sicknesses.' He was distinctly justified in so doing, both by the meaning of the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Swift Healing and Immediate Service
'And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, He saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever. 15. And He touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose and ministered unto them.'--MATT. viii. 14-15. Other accounts give a few additional points. Mark:-- That the house was that of Peter and Andrew. That Christ went with James and John. That He was told of the sickness. That He lifted her up. Luke, physician-like, diagnoses the fever as 'great.' He also tells us that the sick woman's friends …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Christ Repressing Rash Discipleship
'And a certain scribe came, and said unto Him, Master, I will follow Thee whithersoever Thou goest. 20. And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man hath not where to lay His head.'--MATT. viii. 19-20. Our Lord was just on the point of leaving Capernaum for the other side of the lake. His intended departure from the city, in which He had spent so long a time, and wrought so many miracles, produced precisely opposite effects on two of the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Christ Stimulating Sluggish Discipleship
'And another of His disciples said unto Him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 22. But Jesus said unto him, Follow Me; and let the dead bury their dead.'--MATT. viii. 21-22. The very first words of these verses, 'And another of His disciples,' show us that the incident recorded in them is only half of a whole. We have already considered the other half, and supplement our former remarks by a glance at the remaining portion now. The two men, whose treatment by Christ is narrated, are …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Peace-Bringer in the Natural World
'And when He was entered into a ship, His disciples followed Him. 24. And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves; but He was asleep. 25. And His disciples came to Him, and awoke Him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. 26. And He saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man la this, that even the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Peace-Bringer in the Spiritual World
'And when He was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. 29. And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with Thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art Thou come hither to torment us before the time? 30. And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding. 31. So the devils besought Him, saying, If Thou cast us out, suffer us to go away …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Faith which Christ Praises
'The centurion answered and said: Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldest come under my roof, but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. 9. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go! and he goeth; and to another, Come I and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this; and he doeth it.'--MATT. viii. 8-9. This miracle of the healing of the centurion's servant is the second of the great series which Matthew gives us. It is perhaps not accidental that …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Cross and Crown.
At last He cried, with a loud voice: "It is finished!" Perhaps not many on earth heard it, or cared about it when they did hear it; but I can imagine there were not many in heaven who did not hear it, and if they have bells in heaven how they must have rung out that day; "It is finished! It is finished!" The Son of God had died that poor sinful man might have life eternal. I can imagine the angels walking through the streets of heaven crying: "It is finished!" and the mansions of that world ringing …
Dwight L. Moody—Moody's Anecdotes And Illustrations

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. viii. 23, "And when He was Entered into a Boat," Etc.
1. By the Lord's blessing, I will address you upon the lesson of the Holy Gospel which has just been read, and take occasion thereby to exhort you, that against the tempest and waves of this world, faith sleep not in your hearts. "For the Lord Christ had not indeed death nor sleep in His power, and peradventure sleep overcame the Almighty One as He was sailing against His will?" If ye believe this, He is asleep in you; but if Christ be awake in you, your faith is awake. The Apostle saith, "that Christ …
Saint Augustine—sermons on selected lessons of the new testament

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. viii. 8, "I am not Worthy that Thou Shouldest Come under My Roof," Etc. , and of the Words Of
1. We have heard, as the Gospel was being read, the praise of our faith as manifested in humility. For when the Lord Jesus promised that He would go to the Centurion's house to heal His servant, He answered, "I am not worthy that Thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and he shall be healed." [2163] By calling himself unworthy, he showed himself worthy for Christ to come not into his house, but into his heart. Nor would he have said this with so great faith and humility, had …
Saint Augustine—sermons on selected lessons of the new testament

Heaven and Hell
To-night, I shall, I hope, encourage you to seek the road to heaven. I shall also have to utter some very sharp things concerning the end of the lost in the pit of hell. Upon both these subjects I will try and speak, as God helps me. But, I beseech you, as you love your souls, weigh right and wrong this night; see whether what I say be the truth of God. If it be not, reject it utterly, and cast it away; but if it is, at your peril disregard it; for, as you shall answer before God, the great Judge …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 1: 1855

Twenty-Seventh Day. Activity in Duty.
"I must work the works of Him that sent me, while it is day; the night cometh, when no man can work."--John, ix. 4. How constant and unremitting was Jesus in the service of His Heavenly Father! "He rose a great while before day;" and, when His secret communion was over, His public work began. It mattered not to Him where He was: whether on the bosom of the deep, or a mountain slope--in the desert, or at a well-side--the "gracious words" ever "proceeded out of His mouth." We find, on one touching …
John R. Macduff—The Mind of Jesus

Healing the Centurion's Servant.
(at Capernaum.) ^A Matt. VIII. 1, 5-13; ^C Luke VII. 1-10. ^c 1 After he had ended all his sayings in the ears of the people, ^a 1 And when he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. ^c he entered into Capernaum. [Jesus proceeded from the mountain to Capernaum, which was now his home, or headquarters. The multitudes which are now mentioned for the third time were not wearied by his sermon, and so continued to follow him. Their presence showed the popularity of Jesus, and also …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Healing Peter's Mother-In-Law and Many Others.
(at Capernaum.) ^A Matt. VIII. 14-17; ^B Mark I. 29-34; ^C Luke IV. 38-41. ^c 38 And he arose out of the synagogue [where he had just healed the demoniac], ^b 29 And straightway, when they were come out of the synagogue, they came { ^c entered} ^b into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. [Peter and Andrew had dwelt at Bethsaida (John i. 44). They may have removed to Capernaum, or Bethsaida, being near by, may be here counted as a part, or suburb, of Capernaum. Its name does not contradict …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jesus Stills the Storm.
(Sea of Galilee; Same Day as Last Section) ^A Matt. VIII. 18-27; ^B Mark IV. 35-41; ^C Luke VIII. 22-25. ^b 35 And that day, { ^c one of those days,} ^b when the even was come [about sunset], ^a when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side. { ^b he saith unto them, Let us go over unto the other side.} [Wearied with a day of strenuous toil, Jesus sought rest from the multitude by passing to the thinly settled on the east side of Galilee.] ^a 19 And there …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jesus Heals Two Gergesene Demoniacs.
(Gergesa, Now Called Khersa.) ^A Matt. VIII. 28-34; IX. 1; ^B Mark V. 1-21; ^C Luke VIII. 26-40. ^b 1 And they came to the other side of the sea [They left in the "even," an elastic expression. If they left in the middle of the afternoon and were driven forward by the storm, they would have reached the far shore several hours before dark], ^c 26 And they arrived at the country of the Gerasenes, which is over against Galilee. ^a 28 And when he was come into the country of the Gadarenes. ^c 27 And …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

A Sabbath in Capernaum
It was the Holy Sabbath - the first after He had called around Him His first permanent disciples; the first, also, after His return from the Feast at Jerusalem. Of both we can trace indications in the account of that morning, noon, and evening which the Evangelists furnish. The greater detail with which St. Mark, who wrote under the influence of St. Peter, tells these events, shows the freshness and vividness of impression on the mind of Peter of those early days of his new life. As indicating that …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Return to Capernaum - Healing of the Centurion's Servant.
We are once again in Capernaum. It is remarkable how much, connected not only with the Ministry of Jesus, but with His innermost Life, gathers around that little fishing town. In all probability its prosperity was chiefly due to the neighbouring Tiberias, which Herod Antipas [2583] had built, about ten years previously. Noteworthy is it also, how many of the most attractive characters and incidents in the Gospel-history are connected with that Capernaum, which, as a city, rejected its own real glory, …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Christ Stills the Storm on the Lake of Galilee.
IT was the evening of that day of new teaching, and once more great multitudes were gathering to Him. What more, or, indeed, what else, could He have said to those to whom He had all that morning spoken in Parables, which hearing they had not heard nor understood? It was this, rather than weariness after a long day's working, which led to the resolve to pass to the other side. To merely physical weariness Jesus never subordinated his work. If, therefore, such had been the motive, the proposal to …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

At Gerasa - the Healing of the Demonised.
THAT day of wonders was not yet ended. Most writers have, indeed, suggested, that the healing of the demonised on the other side took place at early dawn of the day following the storm on the Lake. But the distance is so short that, even making allowance for the delay by the tempest, the passage could scarcely have occupied the whole night. [2899] This supposition would be further confirmed, if the evening' when Jesus embarked was what the Jews were wont to call the first evening,' that is, the time …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Essential Character of the Work of Jesus.
Jesus, it will be seen, limited his action entirely to the Jews. Although his sympathy for those despised by orthodoxy led him to admit pagans into the kingdom of God--although he had resided more than once in a pagan country, and once or twice we surprise him in kindly relations with unbelievers[1]--it may be said that his life was passed entirely in the very restricted world in which he was born. He was never heard of in Greek or Roman countries; his name appears only in profane authors of a hundred …
Ernest Renan—The Life of Jesus

Christ the Son of Man.
"The foxes have holes, and the birds of the heaven have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head" (Matt. viii. 20). "Who do men say that the Son of man is?" (Matt. xvi. 13). "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up; that whosoever believeth may in him have eternal life" (John iii. 14). It is a matter of profound gratitude that our Saviour was a man. "The Son of man," as well as "the Son of God," was essential to His great work …
Frank G. Allen—Autobiography of Frank G. Allen, Minister of the Gospel

Kingo's Church Hymns
Kingo's church hymns naturally differ from his spiritual songs. They are more objective in form and less fiery in spirit. Most of them follow their themes quite closely, reproducing in many instances even the words of their text. Kingo is too vital, however, to confine himself wholly to an objective presentation. Usually the last stanzas of his hymns are devoted to a brief and often striking application of their text. He possessed to a singular degree the ability to express a thought tersely, as …
Jens Christian Aaberg—Hymns and Hymnwriters of Denmark

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