his own eyes, before God. (Lk. 17:10.) "Speak the word only." He recognized God manifest in the flesh, who had said, "Let there be light; and there was light" (Gen. 1:3). V. 9. "I am," etc. As if to say, "I am under authority, and know what it is to obey; I have authority and know what it is to be obeyed; I say Go! Come! Do! and so it is." This was sound reasoning, and firm ground for full faith in Him who has all authority in heaven and earth; a common-sense basis for uncom- mon faith.. V. 10, "Jesus marvelled." He found but two wonders on earth, faith and un- belief (Mt. 8:10; Mk. 6 : 6 ). Unfaith is more wonderful than faith—to believe in the Universe without God and t h at Christian evidence is without truth, are miracles of credulity greater than all miracles of faith. V. 11, "I say to you." Jesus saw in this centurion the earnest of the gath- ering to Him out of every nation^ tBe myriads that have believed, do and shall believe on Him, whom Israel rejects. "Shall sit down." There is a great day coming! A great feast is preparing • (Isa. 25:6; Lk. 14:16-24.) This writer believes it is literal as well as spiritual. You are invited, east, west, north, or south, wherever, whoever, you are. Will you be there? V. 12, "But the children of the king- diom." "Who are Israelites; to whom " pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, \ and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promise; whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for- ever" (Ro. 9:4, 5), shall be cast out," out of the banquet hall, into the night, the "outer darkness," to bitter outcries, •and "gnashing of teeth," in hopeless re- * morse, and helpless rage. The same * fate waits high-privileged Christendom that rejects the Christ who saved the centurion. IV. THE SYROPHOENICIAN'S CASE. Mk. 7:24, "From thence"; from faith- less Jewry to pagan Syria, "into" not over "the borders." Will He turn from Christendom to Heathendom now? "Forsake Him—forsake you" (2 Chr. 15:2; Isa. 55:5). "Hid." He hid Him- self from Israel that He might be sought by the Gentiles; He hid that they might seek for Him and find Him. He can not be hid for His fame equals His grace and His works, and His "name is as ointment poured f o r t h" (So. 1:3). V. 25, "Fell a t His feet." From what we have heard and know of the Lord i
faith. We see extraordinary faith re- warded by extraordinary grace, con- trasted with inexcusable unbelief where faith was most to be expected. The wild olive was more fruitful than the culti- vated. A wonder! 5. Old Testament parallels are Naa- man the Syrian, and the widow of Sarepta (2 Kg. 5:1-19; Kg. 17:10-16; compare Lk. 4:25, 26). 6. All illustrates John 1:11, 12, which see. 7. Compare the accounts, Lk. .7:1-10; Mt. 15:21-28. II. THE INCIDENTS COMPARED. In each incident is: 1. Gentile faith. 2. Intercession for others. 3. By their natural guardians. 4. A severe malady. 5. Advocacy for the petitioner. 6. Rea- soning with the Lord. 7. Jesus admires the faith. 8. The petitioner is dismissed with assurance. 9. The cure is from a distance. 10. "The children" are men- tioned. Verify these. III. THE CENTURION'S CASE. Lk. 7:2, "Centurion" = • our "cap- tain," over a hundred ("century"). "Ser- vant" (lit. "boy"), body, confidential servant. Employers should seek the good of employees. "Dear," or valued? trusty? beloved? Employees should show themselves worthy. Obligations and interests are mutual. "Point of death." A hopeless case; but hope in Christ. V. 3, "Heard." Like us, he had not seen Jesus. He walked by faith not sight, for the testimony of others is good. "Sent elders." He felt he had, as an alien, no claim, no worth. He sent Jews to the Jews' Christ, who should be our intercessors with Him (John 4:22). Mt. 8:5, "Came," in persons of his messengers? or in person? If we ask the prayers of others, we should also go to Christ ourselves. Lk. 7:4, "Besought instantly." How earnest they were for one who said, "Pray for me, for mine." "Was worthy." It is good to see and plead the gpod, and good deeds, of others with the Lord. "He loveth our nation." A great plea with the Lord. "They shall prosper that love thee" (Israel, Ps. 122: 6; Mt. 25:40). "Built," at his own cost. (Ac. 10:2, 34, 35). He loved not in word but deed (1 Jn. 3:18). Mt. 8:7. "I will coinie and heal him." Gracious response of the Blessed One! V. 8:8, "I am not worthy." Honor- able office, authority in the city, reputa- ble with the Jews, builder of a syna- gogue, unworthy? "Let another man praise thee," etc. (Pr. 27:2). Worthy in men's eyes, before men; unworthy in
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