NEW TESTAMENT CHARACTERS.

THE CENTURION IN GALILEE.
On the northern shore of Lake Galilee stood the fishing town of Capernaum which Jesus had made His base. His four fisherman-disciples lived here as did Matthew. Philip and Nathanael came from neighbouring Bethsaida.

Capernaum was the place where His inherent authority was noticed - “He taught with authority and not like the theologians.” It was in the Synagogue of Capernaum that he cast out demons - with authority. Here at sunset a crowd of sick people were brought to Him and He healed them all.

It was in Capernaum that He claimed “authority on earth to forgive sins.” and this was the place where He called more disciples than anywhere else - and they followed. Capernaum, then, was the town which saw His authority in word and deed.

There was a man in authority over Capernaum, the Roman Centurion, whose men’s duties included supporting Matthew’s toll booth and keeping order when the crowds flocked to hear Jesus.

Centurions were Roman officers in charge of a hundred men - that was the theory although the numbers probably varied in practice. They were the backbone of the Roman army, combining the function in the British army of senior NCOs with junior officers. The senior officers or Legates were Patrician born aristocrats who often lived secluded from the men they commanded; not so the Centurions.

This Centurion, name unknown, had taken an interest in Judaism. Its belief in one God was a refreshing change from the many gods of Rome.

He went further. When funds were needed to build a Synagogue, it was the Roman Centurion who came forward as patron and footed the bill. Since he was not a full proselyte he would not be allowed to worship in the building he had donated, but there was no doubt Roman-Jewish relationships were better in that town than in most of the country.

He heard of, and probably saw, the new teacher and healer who so suddenly sprang into favour in the town. So when his servant was taken ill and near to death, the Centurion thought of Jesus and his healing power. Jews, especially Rabbis, were not supposed to enter Gentile houses, and communication was restricted to a minimum. He did not know what the healer’s attitude to a Gentile would be, but he had to try; so he asked some Jewish elders to take the request for him.

The elders also assumed that Jesus would be reluctant to go to a gentile, but they put in a word for him. “He deserves your help, he loves our nation and had built us a Synagogue.”

Jesus responded to their request and set off towards the Centurion’s home, but the Roman had been thinking. He did not want to put Jesus in a difficult position or harm His relationship with local Synagogues. And he had developed a respect for Jesus’ authority.

Authority was something the Centurion understood. He both obeyed it and exercised it and he recognised that Jesus had a different kind. His power to heal was neither science nor magic, it was authority. And if He had authority He could exercise it at a distance as well as close at hand.

As Jesus approached his house He was met by more messengers.

“No need to come, my house is not a fit place for a Rabbi, just speak the word and my servant will be healed. I understand authority, I obey orders, my men obey mine, this sickness will obey yours.”

Jesus took him at his word. The servant was healed, and Jesus said, “I have not seen faith like that, not in Israel.”

This incident is in both Matthew and Luke, the most Jewish and the most Gentile of the four Gospels and there is an interesting reversal - Jew and Gentile each wanting to speak well of the other. Luke tells of how the Jewish elders were willing to plead the Centurion’s cause and recognise his love for their nation. Matthew emphasises the Centurion’s faith in contrast to Israel’s.

Matt. 8:5-13 & Luke 7:1-10