The Healing of a Servant

The Healing of a Servant

After the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus entered Capernaum. There was a centurion there who, though a Gentile, sympathized with the Jews to the point of building them a synagogue at his own expense.
He had certainly heard about Jesus, and it is very likely that he had seen Him personally, perhaps even listened to His preaching more than once and witnessed some of His miracles.
One of his servants, “whom he loved dearly,” fell ill. He suffered an attack of paralysis and was near death.
The centurion, who truly loved him, ardently desired his healing. Upon hearing that Jesus was in the town, he hoped to obtain from Him what seemed impossible by natural means.
He was humble and did not dare go to the Master himself. How could he, a Gentile, presume to ask such a favor? But, as he was well respected, he sent a delegation of the town’s leading men.
These, coming before the Savior, conveyed the centurion’s request. To incline Him even more favorably, they praised the centurion and listed the benefits he had bestowed upon them.
Jesus, full of attention and kindness, graciously received the military officer’s representatives and said:
— I will go and heal him.
And He immediately set out on the way.
When the centurion was told that the Savior was coming to his house, he was overwhelmed by the greatness of such a favor and sent some friends to tell Him:
— Lord, do not trouble Yourself. I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof; but say the word, and my servant shall be healed.
He then explained his thought more clearly, saying that he was only a subordinate officer, and yet, when he gave orders to those under him, they obeyed. Could not Jesus, without the trouble of coming to his house, command the sickness to cease?
Jesus was astonished when He heard such words and said to those who followed Him:
— Truly, I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.
Then He performed the miracle at a distance, and at that very moment the paralytic, who was at the point of death, was instantly healed.