God and Centurions 

     We don't think of military men (killers) in the same breath with the name (Jesus), but... Each Roman centurion was in charge of a centurio (Latin) of supposedly 100 men. Four stories:

1.   A centurion came to Jesus asking for help. "Lord, my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering." Jesus said, I will go to him. The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority with soldiers under me." 

     After the centurion further described his powerful position, Jesus, astonished, said, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. And he issued a severe warning to those in the kingdom who will not share the faith of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. 

     "Then Jesus said to the centurion, Go! It will be done just as you believed it would. And his servant was healed at that very hour."

               Matthew 8:5-13 

2.   When Pontious Pilate gave in to the shouts of Israel's leaders, or their instigators, he gave orders to the Roman centurion to crucify Jesus along with two robbers. The centurion, now in charge, allowed his men to torture Jesus as they pleased...flogging, crown of thorns etc.  

     After the three had been on their crosses for about six hours, Jesus "breathed his last." The Sabbath was coming. So, they asked Pilate to order their legs broken and get them out of sight. But Jesus: (Not one of his bones will be broken. Psalm 34:20)   

     The disciple John was there. But the Roman centurion of all people watched Jesus die while the earth shook, saying "Surely this man was the Son of God!"  

             Matthew 27:54    Mark 15:37-39   Luke 23:47    John 19:31-36  

 Story 3 on Monday