Page 444 - Bible History

CHRIST THE FRIEND OF THE POOR AND THE SICK 417
at home sick of the palsy and is grievously tor­ mented.''
He was accompanied by the leading citizens of Capharnaum and they joined their prayers with his, saying to Jesus, "He is worthy that Thou shouldst do this for him. For he loveth our nation and he hath built us a synagogue."
Jesus said to the centurion, ''I will come and heal him." But the centurion, making answer, said, '' Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter un­ der my roof. But only say the word and my servant shall be healed. For I also am a man subject to authority, having under me soldiers. And I say to this one, 'Go,' and he goeth, and to another, 'Come,' and he cometh, and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he doth it."
When Jesus heard this, He marveled, for it was strange indeed that a Gentile, a soldier from pagan Rome, should understand so well the power of the Savior. Turning to the crowds who followed Him, Jesus said, ''Amen, I say to you, I have not found so great faith in Israel.''
Then He said to the centurion, ''Go, and as thou hast believed, so be it done to thee." When the cen­ turion returned home, he found that his servant had been healed at that same hour.
The news spread through Capharnaum that Jesus The was in the city and was staying at a certain house. mansick
of the Immediately the people stopped whatever they were palsy
doing and hastened there to see Him and to listen to His teaching. Soon a reat crowd gathered that lled