adapted from Luke 7:1-10 by Clem Ketchum

The centurion peered over the crest of the hill. Five hundred barbarians assembled at the gate of the village below. A few hours earlier the centurion and his men had met a fleeing villager, crying for help. By the time his army reached the village, the barbarians had already seized it.

As the centurion pondered what to do, a messenger handed him a small scroll. The scroll mentioned nothing about reinforcements. The message contained only a single word: ATTACK!

The centurion crumpled the scroll and tossed it aside.

"Prepare to attack," he commanded.

His men looked at him doubtfully.

"I have issued an order," he snapped. "Obey it!"

The troops shuddered, picked up their spears and took their places in line. The centurion did not blame them. Although they had the benefit of the finest Roman training, discipline and weaponry, the barbarians outnumbered them five to one.

At the centurion’s command, the troops charged over the hill. He could imagine the barbarians laughing at him for attempting such a foolhardy attack. His defeat was guaranteed. The best he could hope for was to weaken the enemy for a future battle. He assumed this was the reason for his mission.

Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye he saw some movement at the east side of the village, then movement to the west.

Before he knew it, a legion of Roman soldiers emerged behind the barbarians! His men, spurred on by this sight, plunged headfirst into the tribe as their comrades drove in from the rear. The battle was swift and the Romans victorious.

"Nicely done, Centurion," the Roman commander congratulated.

"Our surprise was complete."

"Thank you, Sir," the centurion said as his men fell back into rank for the day’s march back to Capernaum.

"Welcome home, Sir."

"Thank you, Ananias," the centurion said. "We had some excitement yesterday with a group of barbarians, but we prevailed in the end. Most of them are in chains now . . . much like you."

"I am not in chains, Sir, but gratefully in your service," Ananias replied.

The centurion thought for a moment. How could any slave be grateful? "Your name is Greek. Right, Ananias?"

"Yes, Sir, a very common name among my people," Ananias answered. "It means ‘The Lord is gracious.’"

"How can your Lord be gracious and make you a slave?" the centurion asked.

"If I might be so bold, Sir, God did not make me a slave. Man did. Through His grace, I came to be in your service. Through His love, I awake renewed each morning. Through Him, I have hope."

"Hope for what?"

"For the salvation of my people through His Son, who walks among us."

Is Ananias crazy? the centurion wondered. He had never heard such talk in his life.

"You say God’s Son walks among us?" the centurion questioned. "Who is he? What is his name?"

"Jesus. It is my hope that He will travel this way so I may meet Him."

The centurion said nothing. He did not know what to say. The convictions of his servant were stronger than any he’d ever known.

"Sir," Ananias continued, "I was wondering if I might have my day off tomorrow. I . . ."

"You what?" the centurion snapped.

"I- I was to help my people continue the work on our synagogue."

"Forgive me, Ananias. I didn’t mean to bark at you like a dog. My mind was elsewhere. Of course you may. You are a good and trustworthy servant."

The morning was long and the work slow. Ananias paused for a sip of water and surveyed the scene. It looked more like they were tending a field than building a great synagogue. Their numbers were few. Suddenly Ananias gasped. Soldiers were coming—at least 100. As they approached, his friends gathered around.

"What are they doing?" someone asked. "Have they come to destroy our work?"

Ananias’ head spun. The soldiers continued to approach. They carried long spears and shields. What would they do?

Wait! Ananias realized. Those aren’t spears. They’re shovels!

Just then a loud voice shouted, "Halt!" The centurion stepped forward.

"Greetings, Ananias," he said, smiling. "Too much rest and my soldiers become weak. If they can’t be fighting, a little hard work will keep them in shape. Besides, at the rate you and your friends are working, it will be at least a hundred years before you are finished." He chuckled.

Ananias smiled and said a prayer of thanks in his heart. He joined the soldiers as the synagogue began taking shape.

The centurion looked out at the night sky. Since the completion of the synagogue, he had asked Ananias more questions about God and Jesus. There was truth here. This was a God of compassion and love—a God who chose relationship with his creation, not domination.

The centurion had never felt conquest should mean tyranny or oppression. He fought to bring order and peace. And now he felt as if God was speaking directly to him, confirming all these thoughts. He was overwhelmed with emotion and tears began streaming down his face. This joy was like nothing he’d ever encountered before.

The hope Ananias spoke of, he thought. This is what he meant. I, too, would like Jesus to pass this way.

The next morning the centurion called for Ananias to bring him breakfast. He was eager to speak with him about this new hope. But another servant brought in his meal.

"Where is Ananias?" the centurion asked. "He is quite ill, Sir," the servant replied. "I fear he is near death."

The centurion paused. The hope! He remembered and smiled. He left the room and called for a guard.

"Quickly, go to the synagogue and bring back some of the elders of the Jews. I must speak with them immediately."

The elders quickly came. "My servant Ananias is sick to the point of death," the centurion explained. "I understand Jesus is just outside our city. Will you help me?"

They nodded, and he quickly explained his plan.

Jesus . . . entered Capernaum. There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, "This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue." So Jesus went with them.

He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: "Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it."

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel." Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.