AMAZING GRACE FOR THE MOST UNWORTHY SINNER

These words speak to us of the Centurion’s confession, and the manner wherein Christ is ex-haulted. Truly there is no book, how scholarly ever written, which can be compared to the inspired Word of God. The unction of the Spirit of God is herein revealed, the efficacy penetrates, revealing in the heart that Christ only is the Savior for self-condemned and unworthy sinners.

There are three thoughts to which we must give our attention in considering this most worthy confession of the Roman Centurion, and how Christ is herein glorified.

First, we note the good name given to this Centurion even amongst the Jews. Second, his self abasement before Christ, and third, how that Christ is glorified in the salvation of sinners.

The Lord knoweth them that are His, those given Him from eternity in the council of peace, and His providence ruleth over all. The children of Israel had grossly departed from God, and were brought under bondage by the Romans to whom they became tributaries. Such was the relationship of the Jewish people to the Roman government at the time when the New Testament history began. Under these circumstances this heathen Centurion was brought to Capernaum. In this city Jesus frequently abode, and there He also chose three of His disciples, Matthew, Peter, and Andrew his brother. Many miracles were wrought there by Him, and many admonitions were also given by Him. However they did not all believe in Him: “For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel.” Rom. 9:6. But many of Christ’s friends which had become dear unto Him because of the great love with which He had drawn them, likewise learned to love the synagogue, the church of god, His dwelling place, where He so often instructed them. This had now become their dwelling place to which they often resorted.

The Jewish people had been given special privileges, receiving the oracles of God, consisting of two tables, the first requiring their love towards God, and the second, love towards their neighbors. It is of this law whereof David spake in Ps. 119:96, 97. “I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad. O how love I Thy law! It is my meditation all the day.” When the love of God is once implanted within the heart of God’s people they learn to share it with others: “But let all those that put their trust in Thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because Thou defendest them; let them also that love Thy name be joyful in Thee.” Ps.5:ll.

The word of God does not relate unto us under what circumstances the Centurion became acquainted with the teachings of the Jews. Christ has called His people to be His witness. Without a doubt this Centurion had made acquaintance with many of the elders and friends of Jesus, and hearing of Christ performing so many miracles, and of the grace given into the heart of His people, he became interested. God had promised that he would gather His own, also among the Gentiles He would gather some unto Himself. The Centurion without question became so interwoven and interested with the God of the Jewish people, that he could at times say, what Ruth the Moabite once answered her mother-inlaw— “thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.”

The Centurion could lay no claim for himself, for he was a Gentile, outside of the promises made to the children of Israel. But he had learned to love Israel’s God, even if he would remain a stranger to the Jews. Jealousy had no doubt filled his heart to know more about Jesus. Being a Gentile he was not permitted to enter their sanctuary. Oh, to stand outside, and to have no part with the God of the children of Israel, and never to share the blessing that their God would ever become his God. For himself he could not earn this blessing, and fearing lest he become an outcast amongst them, he could at least show his love and esteem for Israel’s God. Being a man in authority and a man of means he decided that he would build them a synagogue. Whether the present structure was too small or obsolete we do not read thereof. But the love of his heart had become so great to the God of this people, and the love towards this people who had spoken so highly of Jesus the redeemer of sinners, that no material sacrifice could hinder him from doing something for them. He thus gained their good will.

The Lord uses means to bring sinners unto Himself. For the Centurion it was the illness of his servant. Servants customarily were considered to be their master’s slaves. Note however that the Centurion had also learned to have respect unto the second table of the law, wherein is taught to love your neighbor as thyself. The illness of his servant was a serious matter, he was ready to die, and no doubt had tried the aid of many physicians. It is very customary to first seek our aid from man. Not until it becomes almost a hopeless case will one seek relief in prayer to God. The Centurion knowing himself an outcast from the Jews, had no courage to go unto that great Physician of whom he had heard so much. He first requested the help of the elders of the Jews to intercede for him, thinking that Christ would probably hear their request, and heal his servant. They coming to Jesus told Him that he was worthy for whom he would do this; for he loveth our nation, and hath built us a synagogue. What better recommendation could they have given of the Centurion? They spake of his love. It was not for monetary gain or reward that he requested the elders to speak to Christ, but for the healing of his servant. He was a Gentile, an outsider, not worthy that Jesus should hear his supplications. What a blessed state and condition to be in to receive so much self-knowledge that we have lost all merits, even to the least of Christ’s blessings. It is here where we lose self-boasting, whereof we read Prov. 27:2. “Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.”

It is here where the heart of Christ is touched, as we read, then Jesus went with them. And when He was not far from his house, the Centurion also sent his friends to Him, bringing the urgency of the matter tb the Lord, saying unto Him, “Lord trouble not Thyself: for I am not worthy to come unto Thee; but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.” Oh, what super-abounding grace was the lot of this Centurion. NOT WORTHY! He was empty handed. Nothing in his hands to bring, but to confess, that he was but an outcast, leprous of heart, and an alien to the common-wealth of Israel. NOT BEING WORTHY! Oh, blessed state to know experimentally to be unclean from the head to the sole of our feet. As an alien, without God in the world, having forfeited all things, and being a transgressor of all His Holy commandments. Justly the Lord could reject his pleadings, but he was pleading upon Christ’s dominion, believing Him to be the great Physician sent of God to deliver even the most vilest of all mankind, and having power, that upon a word of HIS COMMAND He was able to heal his servant; for he said: “Say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.” He did not waiver here about the Deity of Christ or upon His all-sufficiency to heal his servant. He was endowed with a special gift of faith, and with spiritual insight in the mediatorial work of Christ. This we find especially in the eighth verse of this chapter, where Christ beheld his unwaivering faith in the qualification of the person of Christ as God, and the Physician for sinners.

It is here that we read that Jesus turned Himself about, and said unto the people that followed, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. Christ here beheld the fruits of His commission whereunto He was sent, and wherein He had given Himself from eternity. This Centurion was a vessel of God’s great mercy. They are known unto Him from eternity as we read in 1 Co. 6:20 “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” The Lord also answered his request: “And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:13. Christ is herein glorified in the heart of the Centurion, dissolving the works of Satan, casting down his kingdom, and healing his spiritual malady. Words fail to express: “the unsearchable riches of Christ.” Eph. 3:8

Dear reader, does not the conversion of this Centurion create a jealousy within your heart? Many have been privileged to receive the oracles of God from their infancy, and have not given heed to the manifold callings: “Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your heart, as in the provocation.” Ps. 95:7, 8. Should not the excellency of such a Savior herein described fill your heart with the pleading of the Centurion: “Say but one word.” Have you been made acquainted with the malady of your heart, harder than a nether millstone? Is your soul leprous, vile, and without healing? The knowledge thereof is most essential, for Christ came to seek and save those that are lost. Unable to come to Him because you are so unwilling, totally dead in trespasses and sin? Christ came for the hopeless, who can not help themselves. Cease not, plead upon His mercy, and confess your unworthiness. May you learn that the Lord is just if He would pass you by, finding yourself an outcast, an alien to the knowledge of Christ, and offender of all His commandments. All God’s children are brought into the fold with the knowledge that they are hell-worthy sinners.

Christ still calls aliens, and has promised He would gather them from the uttermost parts of the earth. May the Lord establish this hope within your heart, and may you continue to plead “NOT WORTHY!: Say buy ONE WORD.” One penetrating word like unto Mary at the grave of resurrection: “MARY”. It was the voice of her beloved.

“O what amazing words of grace
Are in the gospel found!
Suited to every sinner’s case
Who feels the dreadful wound.”

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