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And I believe it was this special, same-sex love that touched Jesus’ heart and motivated him to reach out and heal the man’s servant. In either case, many people – including Bible scholars who have analyzed the words “dear to him” in this passage – believe there was a very special relationship, a deep, loving relationship, between the centurion and his servant. The story as told in Matthew’s Gospel is pretty much the same … except that the centurion, himself, approaches Jesus rather than sending the elders of the Jews on his behalf. I tell this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9 When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turned and said to the multitude who followed him, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith, no, not in Israel.” 10 Those who were sent, returning to the house, found that the servant who had been sick was well. 8 For I also am a man placed under authority, having under myself soldiers. 7 Therefore I didn’t even think myself worthy to come to you but say the word, and my servant will be healed. When he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying to him, “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I am not worthy for you to come under my roof. 4 When they came to Jesus, they begged him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy for you to do this for him, 5 for he loves our nation, and he built our synagogue for us.” 6 Jesus went with them. 3 When he heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and save his servant. 2 A certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick and at the point of death. Remember the story about the centurion who sought Jesus to heal his servant “who was dear to him”?ġ After he had finished speaking in the hearing of the people, he entered into Capernaum. In my humble opinion, “the centurion” we’re introduced to in Matthew and Luke was Cornelius. I suspect this centurion was Cornelius, paying his last respects to the extraordinary man and teacher who earlier had healed his servant. Luke (23:47) adds, “When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, ‘Certainly this man was innocent!’” In Matthew and Luke, we’re told that, at the crucifixion of Jesus, “When the centurion and others keeping watch over Jesus saw … what took place, they were filled with awe and said, ‘Truly this was the Son of God!’” ( Matthew 27:54). Given the time, place, and Cornelius’s position, this was truly radical!Įven more radical, though, is that I believe Cornelius is the same man referred to either as “a centurion” or “the centurion” whom we’ve met elsewhere in the Gospels. We’re also told that he lives in Caesaria, was part of the Italian regiment, and that his entire “household” – kinfolk, friends, and servants – worshiped God. We’re told that he even built a synagogue for the Jews. He’s described as “God-fearing,” someone who loves the Lord, prays regularly, and one who helps the poor. Think about how that statement challenges and undermines our tendency to confine God to the comfortable categories of our own “religion” or religious beliefs.Ĭonsider Cornelius: Why might God have chosen him and his household to be the first gentile converts to Christianity?įrom Scriptural accounts, we know that he’s a centurion, a notable leader of Roman soldiers.

Through his encounter with Cornelius, Peter comes to realize that “God shows no partiality” … but in every nation (be that geographical, cultural, or social), anyone who fears God and does what is right is accepted by God. In Acts 10:34-43, Peter announces that God’s amazing grace is on the move, breaking down traditional boundaries (and barriers) between the Jews and the nations (gentiles).