Jesus And The Centurion When mighty Rome ruled the world a part of its strength lay in the Century... A hundred years you might ask? No, the Century was a military unit of a hundred men commanded by an officer known as a Centurion. Centurion - commander of a hundred - much like today's Company, also about a hundred soldiers. This illy is for the Bible Story book project of which I find meself fortunate to be a part. This occurrence is a particular fav of mine, perhaps because I can understand what it's driving at. Rome occupied the world around the Mediterranean and to make that so required the stationing of soldiers throughout these subject territories. There was a certain Centurion whose servant was ill - close to death - and he went to Jesus to secure the healing of his comrade. When the man made his request Jesus rose up to go to his home to heal the servant - for a rabbi to go to the home of a Roman Soldier was unheard of in Middle-Eastern culture. The Roman, having been stationed in the region for something more than sixteen years - according to the workings of the army at that time, certainly knew and understood the customs of the people whom he over-saw. He said to Jesus, "Lord, you don't need to come to my home to heal my servant. Just as I can say to one of my men - go here - and he goes. Do that - and it is done. As the commander of a hundred I understand that you need only speak it and my servant shall be healed..." One who commands understands the Commander and the way things work. Oh yes, the servant was healed at that very hour - at a distance. Bewdy! ~:0)