大部分的人都喜歡知道別人對他們的看法，如果可能的話，更想知道上帝對他們的看法。不過，我們大部份人所知道的，是自己對自己的觀感。一般而言，在作自我評估測驗時，我們對結果都不致太驚訝。

        本章提到的百夫長，一定不太看得起自己。他甚至覺得自己不配來到耶穌面前，求耶穌醫治他的僕人。所以他聰明的託迦百農的幾位猶太長老，代他向耶穌求情。這些長老倒都很推崇那位百夫長──「他愛我們的百姓，給我們建造會堂」。所以耶穌就跟他們到百夫長的家裡。

        但，在他們還沒抵達百夫長家之前，百夫長的幾個朋友來見耶穌，轉達百夫長的意思說：「不敢勞駕您到舍下。只要您一句話，我的僕人就必好了。我手下的人都順服我的命令，疾病不也應聽祢的命令嗎？」耶穌非常佩服他的信心，耶穌說:「這麼大的信心，就是以色列中，我也沒有遇見過。」

        這位外邦人的信心，使上帝的選民蒙羞。那受託的人回到百夫長家時，他的僕人已經好了。可見百夫長過於貶低自己了。猶太長老對他的評價甚高；耶穌對他的信心也留下深刻的印象。重點是什麼呢？很簡單，你的自我評價不一定完全正確。上帝愛你，祂才能判斷什麼是真正有價值的。

        主耶穌，在今天的的經文中，您向施約翰傳報佳音，說您使瞎眼得看見，又行了許多其他的神蹟、願我們如那百夫長一樣相信您的話，並按著您的話語期待神蹟。奉主耶穌基督聖名，阿們！

English

        Most everyone likes to know what others think of them. And, if it were possible, to know what God thinks of them. What most of us know, however, is what we think of ourselves. Generally, when it knows, however, is what we think of ourselves. Generally when it comes to self-assessment, we’re not too impressed with what we see.

        The centurion in this chapter certainly wasn’t stuck on himself. In fact, he didn’t even consider himself worthy to come to Jesus to request healing for his servant. Instead, he cleverly sent some of the Jewish elders of Capernaum to present his case to Jesus. These elders had a high view of the centurion – “he loves our nation and has built our synagogue,” they said. So Jesus went with them to the centurion’s house.

        But, before He reached the house, some friends of the centurion came to meet Jesus with this message, “Don’t bother yourself with the walk over here. Just say the word and my servant will be healed. After all, my commands are obeyed by my men – why shouldn’t your command be obeyed by the sickness?” Jesus was impressed; so much so that He said, “I have not found such great faith, even in Israel.” This Gentile was putting Jesus’ nation to shame in terms of his faith. His friends returned to the house and found the servant healed.

        So, the centurion was rather self-deprecating in his view of himself. The elders, on the other hand, were very high on him. And Jesus was impressed with his faith. The point? Simply that your self-assessment may not be entirely accurate. There’s something to be said for giving yourself the benefit of the doubt. After all, God loves you. And He’s a pretty good fudge of what’s truly valuable.

        Lord Jesus, in today’s reading You spoke the Word to John the Baptist, telling him that You made the blind see and sis many other miracles. May we take You at You r Word as the centurion did and expect miracles according to Your Word.