The Centurion of Capharnaum

Continuing Fouard's Life of Christ:

Chapter IV: Capharnaum and Naïm

I: The Centurion of Capharnaum

Luke vii. 1-10; Matt. Viii. 1, 5-13.

Accompanied by great concourse, Jesus descended the mountain and returned to Capharnaum.  He went thither to experience the joy of welcoming the first Pagan who was to come to Him, one of the noblest souls of whom the Gospel makes any mention.  He was a Roman Centurion, commanding the detachment of legionaries stationed upon the borders of the lake.  Galilee, though it was under Herod's rule, remained nevertheless under the overlordship of vigilant Roman governors; and Capharnaum was too important a position for the masters of the world to neglect to occupy it.  The officer charged with representing the Empire here was worthy of that trust, resolute in his biddings, keeping his soldiers under perfect discipline, at the same time he was not so much the overseer as he was the protector of Capharnaum.  We know that he had been more than a little drawn toward the worship of Jehovah; for this Pagan, who had remained upright and clean of heart in the midst of Roman corruption, could not have known the religion of the Jews without being touched by its pure morality, and to this he had himself been borne witness publicly, by having a synagogue built in the town.  With this high turn of mind he combined certain feelings of humanity, which was certainly rare enough at that period.  There is no one who does not know what sort of a position the slave held in ancient days; he was a machine with a human voice, a beast of burden, taken care of only in order to obtain a few years longer services.  Should he grow old and sick, it were the wisest course, according to certain most illustrious philosophers, "to sell him along with the old cattle and rusty scrap iron." Yet this Centurion, when we see him first, is leaning over the pillow of his old servant, watching and weeping; "for he loved him much."

His grief, being known throughout Capharnaum, had moved his numerous friends to come to him, and they were gathered about the sick man, who was now racked with fierce agonies; death was drawing near.  In this extremity the Centurion learned of Jesus return, and recalled all he has heard said of Him; yet, not daring to hope that Israel's And benefactor would listen to a Pagan, he turned toward the Ancients of Capharnaum, and asked them to intercede for him.

The latter, remembering only their debt of gratitude, set out in search of the Saviour, and besought His aid.

"This man deserves that you should assist him," they said, "for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue."

Jesus acceded immediately to their request.

"I will go," He replied, "and I will heal him."

He followed after them, and has He was nearing the house they informed the Centurion of His approach.  The Roman’s surprise was great, for he had never expected to receive Him in his home, knowing that in the eyes of the Pharisees one who enter the heathens dwelling was defiled.  Desiring to spare the youthful Prophet such disgrace, he dispatched some of his friends, bearing this message:

" Lord, do not give yourself so much trouble, for I am not worthy that you should enter into my house.  It was for this reason I dared not go to you; but say only one word and my servant shall be healed."

Lord I am not worthy... J-J Tissot.

Then he himself, if we follow the text of Saint Matthew, came forward to meet the divine Master, and upon the threshold of his mansion besought Him, as his only gift, to vouchsafe one single word from His mouth.  Accustomed to command, he knew the power of a word.

"I, who obey another," he said, "have nevertheless soldiers under me, and I say to one, ‘Go!’  And he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’  And he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it."

Hearing him speak, Jesus was filled with admiration, and turning to the company who had followed Him, He said:

"Of a truth I have not found any so great faith, even in Israel."

Praise like this, which exulted a Heathen above the sons of Abraham, probably gave rise to some bitter murmurings of disapproval; it may even be that the Lord had discerned some of the Sanhedrin’s spies mingling with the crowd, for all at once His language grew threatening.  The Jews had pictured for themselves the reign of the Messiah as it were a banqueting-board spread before them, and them alone; and they were fond of representing the confusion of the Gentiles, doomed only to gaze from afar upon their sumptuous repast.

The divine Master recalled this haughty dream in order to destroy it, and declared that Pagans coming from the East and from the West would sit down to table by the side of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the heavens; while the Jews, though children of the Kingdom of heaven, would be cast without the festal hall into the blackness of night.  "There shall be weeping and grinding of teeth."

Turning then to the Centurion, "Go," He said, "and may it be done unto you even as you have believed." And the servant was healed.

 The Centurion of Capharnaum remains unto this day as the consummate copy set before every soul that seeks God.  By praising his humility and faith the Lord has shown us that thus it behoves us to come unto Him.  Of this the Church has been ever mindful; and since that time no one draws near the Table where Jesus gives us Himself to be our Bread of Life without first rekindling in his heart the feelings of this great Captain, murmuring with reverent lips:

"Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldst enter under my roof, but speak only one word and my soul shall be healed."

Totus tuus ego sum 

Et omnia mea tua sunt;

Tecum semper tutus sum:
Ad Jesum per Mariam