Back in the days of Jesus Roman soldiers typically did 20 years service. There were some differences though. Officially they were meant to remain single although their commanders normally looked the other way when they formed relationships with local women, and these relationships tended to be recognised as marriages when their service ceased. It was also normal for them to remain in a particular place rather than experiencing the regular posting cycle I experienced.
It may come as a surprise but in the New Testament soldiers are generally seen in a positive light. Maybe it is only those of us who have had military experience who can begin to appreciate fully what the Bible is saying with its references to soldiers.
An example is found in Luke chapter 7. The much valued slave of a Roman Centurion is at death’s door. He is highly regarded by the Jewish leaders and at his request they seek Jesus and ask Him to come and heal the servant. The story continues in verse 6:
It seems that as he waited he had time to think and as he did so reflected on his experience as a soldier and what he knew of Jesus. In Jesus he saw someone who had great authority, the type of authority he could well relate to.
Doubtless the Roman Army of the first Century operated differently to that of modern military forces. That aside there are no doubt close parallels. Members of the Australian military forces are required to obey the laws of the land but they are also bound by Military Law. Unlike their civilian contemporaries they cannot strike, withdraw labour, resign at will or disobey a lawful command regardless of the threat to their safety. A command is a command is a command. It must be obeyed and, if circumstances so dictate, without question.
It is this that the Centurion saw in Jesus, one who had the authority to command with the expectation of instant compliance. Not however over subordinate soldiers but over nature and those forces, however understood back then, that caused illness and death. He saw in Jesus one who had authority over sickness and health, life and death.
So his friends went and conveyed his message to Jesus. ‘Just say the word … and my servant will be healed.’ And the Scripture says in verse 9: ‘When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to the crowd that was following him, he said, “I tell you, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel!’
The Centurion was a Roman soldier, not a Jew. It was generally not the done thing for a good Jew to enter the home of a Gentile, although an exemption could be made if there was certainty the home was ceremonially clean, which in effect meant free of idols. Maybe this was something the Centurion considered before he sent the instruction for Jesus not to come.
So Jesus went with them. But just before they arrived at the house, the officer sent some friends to say, “Lord, don’t trouble yourself by coming to my home, for I am not worthy of such an honor. 7 I am not even worthy to come and meet you. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. 8 I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.”
It seems that as he waited he had time to think and as he did so reflected on his experience as a soldier and what he knew of Jesus. In Jesus he saw someone who had great authority, the type of authority he could well relate to.
Doubtless the Roman Army of the first Century operated differently to that of modern military forces. That aside there are no doubt close parallels. Members of the Australian military forces are required to obey the laws of the land but they are also bound by Military Law. Unlike their civilian contemporaries they cannot strike, withdraw labour, resign at will or disobey a lawful command regardless of the threat to their safety. A command is a command is a command. It must be obeyed and, if circumstances so dictate, without question.
It is this that the Centurion saw in Jesus, one who had the authority to command with the expectation of instant compliance. Not however over subordinate soldiers but over nature and those forces, however understood back then, that caused illness and death. He saw in Jesus one who had authority over sickness and health, life and death.
So his friends went and conveyed his message to Jesus. ‘Just say the word … and my servant will be healed.’ And the Scripture says in verse 9: ‘When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to the crowd that was following him, he said, “I tell you, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel!’
The Centurion was a Roman soldier, not a Jew. It was generally not the done thing for a good Jew to enter the home of a Gentile, although an exemption could be made if there was certainty the home was ceremonially clean, which in effect meant free of idols. Maybe this was something the Centurion considered before he sent the instruction for Jesus not to come.
The Jews came seeking an exemption, extolling the virtues of this Roman who had been so generous to them. We read in verses 4 and 5: ‘So they earnestly begged Jesus to help the man. “If anyone deserves your help, he does,” they said, 5 “for he loves the Jewish people and even built a synagogue for us.”
I am certain Jesus did not head for the Centurion’s home because of his ‘worthiness’. Throughout His ministry He demonstrated compassion and acceptance to society’s outcasts, the unworthy. Jesus was motivated by compassion.
I am certain Jesus did not head for the Centurion’s home because of his ‘worthiness’. Throughout His ministry He demonstrated compassion and acceptance to society’s outcasts, the unworthy. Jesus was motivated by compassion.
Jesus makes no comment on the Centurion’s deservedness and expresses no surprise that a Roman could be so generous to the Jews. Rather Jesus extols the man’s great faith - faith that exceeds anything He has seen in the Jewish community, among the good Church people. The whole point of His mission was to bring people to the point in their lives where they would put their faith in God. And in this man He found someone with the type of faith He was looking for. Someone who was obviously attracted to the Church, but not part of it.
Is there a lesson in that for those of us who are members of the Church of the 21st Century?
Is there a lesson in that for those of us who are members of the Church of the 21st Century?
Bible quoted: New Living Translation
Acknowledgement: NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible
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