centurion

The centurion. The centurion asks for help. This story is one of the outcast and the hated and just how big this Gospel which Jesus is proclaiming is to be. It is also a story of faith - quite remarkable faith and a parable of how we might approach Jesus.

The centurions servant is sick, very sick and he wants Jesus to help - yet at the same time he comes - not as the holder of military might, or as a citizen of Rome - the huge imperial power - but as one with unclean hands and absolute poverty. He tells Jesus that he is simply not worthy to have Jesus come to his home - but he knows that Jesus authority, like authority in the army, can work without disturbing Jesus too much at all. Jesus is in charge of all things - that is essentially what the centurion is saying. After all if this soldier can command a hundred men with a single word - how much more can Jesus command everything by will.

The remarkable thing is that suddenly Matthew has a Roman ceding power. The centurion is almost symbolic of the end of the story - there is no need for earthly overthrow or revolution - Jesus already has the power - life and death are in his hands and the meta-narrative of this story is that you better believe that Rome and any other powers of the Earth are subject to whatever Jesus calls them to.

But whilst the centurion is representative he is also a man of faith - he comes to Jesus with a right mind - a right attitude - you are in charge, he says, I have nothing in comparison. This absolute open and giving faith is something which we should all aspire to. Those moments where we truly hand everything over - looking for no status or control.

It is interesting that it is the Centurion at the crucifixion who is the one who proclaims Jesus as the Son of God. From the mouths (or mouth) of Rome come these two astounding pieces of faith and proclamation.

It does not matter who we are or where we are from - there is no real hierarchy of importance in the world of Jesus - we are all called to be the least, to become empty, to understand our own power and status in relationship to the overwhelming power of Jesus. All is given, all is offered and our simple proclamation - "Truly you are the Son of God!"