Nothing Wavering | AdventAI

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jul 17, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 27.

“Nothing Wavering.”

EARLY in our Saviour’s ministry occurred a marked instance of perfect faith in making request of the Lord of Mercy. It was just after the delivery of the Sermon on the Mount, and as he reached Capernaum. There was residing in that city a centurion—a Roman army officer, answering nearly to a captain in a modern army. He, like Cornelius, of whom we read in the book of Acts, had been deeply impressed by the superiority of the Jewish religion, as consisting of the worship of one God without the use of images. He seems to have become a believer in Judaism, and an admirer of the moral superiority of the nation which the Roman army had conquered. Being a man of wealth, he built their synagogue at his own expense—possibly the very one whose ornate remains have lately been discovered at Tell Hum, which many suppose to be the site of ancient Capernaum. At this time he had a servant, to whom he was much attached, lying at the point of death with the palsy. Hearing of the coming of the wonderful Teacher and Miracle-worker, this Roman, who had been brought up an idolater, sent the Jewish elders of the city to Jesus, to intercede in his behalf, and to pray that he would exert his power and heal his servant. He had such humility that he felt unworthy to go in person. Luke 7:1-10. As Jesus was approaching the house, the centurion sent other friends, to say that it was not necessary for the Master to come in, nor was he himself worthy of the honor of receiving him under his roof. It would be quite sufficient for Jesus to speak the word of power, where he was, and the servant should be healed; as when he bade one of his own soldiers go or come, and was instantly obeyed. This was a faith quite unparalleled by anything which Jesus had before met. It was faith, moreover, on the part of a Gentile; so that Jesus exclaimed, “I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.” He then announced that this man was but the representative of a great multitude beyond the boundaries of Judaism, who should enter the kingdom; and he said: “Go thy way, and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee.” And at the same moment the servant was healed.

Such was (and still is) the power of combined faith and humility. The instance is specially instructive, as showing the quick response which God makes to the soul’s perfect trust in his love, and as proving that true humility, instead of discouraging a believing applicant, leads to a complete reliance on divine grace and the use of appropriate intercession. As the centurion, with a sense of personal unworthiness, used the advocacy of the Jewish elders, so we, with a far greater certainty, may, in our appeals to God, use the advocacy of the Son of God himself.—Prayer and Its Remarkable Answers.