Perhaps this story verifies that Jesus loved his enemies with a wild, reckless, healing, forgiving love. He knew Roman soldiers would soon kill his people, the rebelling Jews in Jerusalem. He knew he would soon die on a cross at the hand of Roman soldiers. Jesus saw Roman soldiers killing and abusing his fellow Jews, friends and relatives all his life. One source says a million Jews died in this destruction of Jerusalem. Those who participated in the rebellion died. Those who followed the advice of Jesus fled and survived. Later in the book of Matthew, in Chapter 24, Jesus predicted the destruction of the temple and violence resulting from the rebellion of the Jews. Such a situation would show a Christian following Jesus’ command to love our enemies. The missionary would no more be condoning the Isis leaders career than Jesus was condoning the Centurion’s career. Suppose the missionary did pray for the Isis leader’s friend and his friend was healed. Suppose the Isis leader demonstrated his faith in Jesus in a similar manor as the Centurion demonstrated his faith. Suppose the Isis leader had heard the missionary preaching. Suppose an Isis leader came to the missionary and asked the missionary to pray for healing for his friend. Imagine if an American missionary with the gift of healing went to Iraq. Perhaps if we follow Jesus’ example with the Roman centurion, we will heal our relationships with our enemies and make friends with soldiers from ISIS and Boko Haram? Perhaps Matthew felt that discussing how the centurion’s career built on violence contradicted the teaching of Jesus was unnecessary. Zealots were a group of Jews who promoted armed rebellion against Roman rule. Jesus healing a servant of a Roman soldier was a striking contrast to the disciple’s desire to see Jesus overthrow the Romans. Far more startling to Matthew’s audience was the fact that Jesus would offer healing, salvation, and forgiveness to an enemy and a gentile. Most of those among the Jews following Jesus would not have considered joining the Roman military. A Jew joining the Roman military would have been considered a traitor. Later, at the time of Jesus’ crucifixion, Barabbas who was freed was a rebel against Rome and many Jews agreed with him. Seeing rebelling Jews on crosses around the country was a common sight. The Romans were brutally violent and evil. Makes it very clear that we are to love our enemies. Immediately after the ‘Sermon on the Mount” in chapters Matthew 5-7 where Jesus The point of the story is the centurion’s faith. We do not know that Jesus did not discuss his career with In the story, Jesus does not specifically mention theĬenturion’s career. It be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”ġ3 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let Subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where You that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their placesĪt the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. Tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I I tell this one, ‘Go,’Īnd he goes and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. Myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. Just say the word, and my servant will be healed. Said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”Ĭenturion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. He said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.” Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. Some Christians feel that because Jesus did not rebuke the Roman Centurion for military service, then Jesus is condoning military service. Sunlight streaming through the morning fog.
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