THE CENTURION'S SERVANT AND THE WIDOW'S SON
NOW when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people,
he entered into Capernaum. And a certain centurion's servant, who
was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die. And when he heard of
Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that
he would come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they
besought him instantly, saying that he was worthy for whom he should
do this: for he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.
Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house,
the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not
thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:
wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in
a word, and my servant shall be healed. For I also am a man set under
authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he
goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this,
and he doeth it. When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him,
and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say
unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And they
that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that
had been sick.
And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called
Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. Now
when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead
man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and
much people of the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had
compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. And he came and touched
the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I
say unto thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak.
And he delivered him to his mother. And there came a fear on all: and
they glorified God, saying, A great prophet is risen up among us; God
hath visited his people. And this rumour of him went forth throughout
all Judæa, and throughout all the region round about.
[Sidenote: St. Matthew 11]
Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two
of his disciples, and said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or
do we look for another? Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew
John again those things which ye do hear and see: the blind receive
their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf
hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to
them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning
John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with
the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft
raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. But
what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more
than a prophet. For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send
my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not
risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least
in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John
the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the
violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied
until John. And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to
come. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children
sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, and saying, We
have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you,
and ye have not lamented. For John came neither eating nor drinking,
and they say, He hath a devil. The Son of man came eating and drinking,
and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of
publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
[Sidenote: St. Luke 7]
Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works
were done, because they repented not: Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe
unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you,
had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in
sackcloth and ashes.
But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at
the day of judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art
exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty
works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would
have remained until this day. But I say unto you, That it shall be more
tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.
At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of
heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and
prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so
it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered unto me of my
Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any
man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal
him. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will
give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek
and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke
is easy, and my burden is light.