I think the remarkable thing about the centurion is that he
loves the people of the land he was sent to occupy. The Romans were not in
business to benefit others and centurions were not typically interested in
building worship spaces for foreign gods. The armies of Rome were sent to
ensure the coffers of Rome were filled by populations subdued by the first
century version of shock and awe. But the centurion’s love for an occupied
people was also paired with the military humility that recognizes
a superior officer. “But only speak the word…” so impresses the Jewish rabbi
that he returns the favor and praises the NCO of the occupying army. The
valued slave returned to good health goes back to what made him valuable in the
first place and my guess is the centurion shows his appreciation to the
synagogue and the folks who presumed to speak on his behalf. It’s a lovely
story. Of course not all the Romans will be so kind to Jesus in the future and
while we take “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do” to mean
those who shouted “crucify” I’m guessing Jesus remembered a centurion who said "do this" to those who made the crown of thorns and drove the nails through Jesus' hands and feet.
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