The Jewish elders who recommended the centurion to Christ had 317 shown how far they were from possessing the spirit of the gospel. They did not recognize that our great need is our only claim on God's mercy. In their self-righteousness they commended the centurion because of the favor he had shown to "our nation." But the centurion said of himself, "I am not worthy." His heart had been touched by the grace of Christ. He saw his own unworthiness; yet he feared not to ask help. He trusted not to his own goodness; his argument was his great need. His faith took hold upon Christ in His true character. He did not believe in Him merely as a worker of miracles, but as the friend and Saviour of mankind.

De jødiske ældste, som anbefalede høvedsmanden til Kristus, havde vist, hvor langt de var fra at være i besiddelse af evangeliets ånd. De forstod ikke, at vor store nød er vor eneste berettigelse til Guds barmhjertighed. I deres selvretfærdighed anbefalede de høvedsmanden på grund af den gunst, han havde vist "vort folk". Men høvedsmanden selv sagde: "Jeg er ikke værdig." Hans hjerte var blevet berørt af Kristi nåde. Han så sin egen uværdighed, men dog var han ikke bange for at bede om hjælp. Han stolede ikke på sin egen godhed; han påberåbte sig kun sin store nød. Ved troen forstod han, hvordan Kristus virkelig var. Han troede ikke blot på ham som den, der gjorde undere, men som menneskers ven og frelser.