Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany

The Collect

O GOD, who knowest us to be set in the midst of so many and great dangers, that by reason of the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright; Grant to us such strength and protection, as may support us in all dangers, and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle (Romans xiii. 1)

LET every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God; and they that resist shall receive to themselves condemnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: for he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

The Gospel (St. Matthew viii. 1)

Jesus and the Centurion

WHEN he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, and saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And I say unto you, that many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

Epiphany IV - Message in a Minute

Today's gospel lesson tells us of events immediately after 'the Sermon on the Mount', where Jesus Christ is established as the second Moses -- another man who went to a high place and spoke of the Law of God.

In one event a centurion, a Roman commander of one hundred men, is concerned about his servant who is lying at home paralyzed. When Jesus says he will come right over, the centurion says the familiar words, "Lord I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof, only speak the word."

The centurion recognizes that he and Jesus have something in common, even though Jesus is not wearing any sort of uniform. The centurion knows he operates in a hierarchy. He is under authority himself, and he has authority over other people who do what he tells them to do. The centurion implies that Jesus operates within a hierarchy, too. He obeys his heavenly father, and the spirits which produce such things as paralysis are subject to him. What he says reaches Jesus as not much else ever does. Jesus responds, "I have never seen as much faith among my own people as I see in this Gentile. And this centurion is not the only Gentile who gets into the kingdom of heaven ahead of the people God chose in the first place."

Jesus promises us what he promised the centurion two thousand years ago -- "as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee." And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour. 

Will you receive it?

+++