“Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof. Speak but the word, and Thy servant will be healed.”
These are the words which the army officer said to Jesus when he asked Him to heal his servant. The officer asked only for “one word” (St. Matthew 8.8).
We are not worthy that Jesus should come to us, because we have sinned. But without Him we cannot have life. His Word of forgiveness is sufficient for us. He makes us worthy by His grace. Now we can pray: “Come, Lord Jesus.”
“The Little Service Book” was written by the Rev. Berthold von Schenk (1895-1974), pastor of Our Saviour—New York, as an explanation of the Common Service for children.
