“Two Blessed Centurions“
[By Gerald Gates]

Of the many kingdom people who are blessed, two centurions come to mind.

In Capernaum, a centurion had a servant who was sick, at the point of death (Luke 7:2-10). He had heard about Jesus and sent elders of the Jews to ask Jesus to come heal his servant. They pleaded on behalf of the centurion’s worthiness: “… he loves our nation and he built us our synagogue (v 5, ESV). “And Jesus went with them. When he came near the house the centurion sent friends to him to say, ‘Lord I am not worthy to have you come into my home, therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority with soldiers under me. I say to do something and they do it’” (v 6-8, ESV).

• He was merciful to his suffering servant (Matt 5:7).
• This man’s faith was from what he heard of Jesus yet had not seen (John 20:29).
• He was a peacemaker (Matt. 5:9) in love for the Jews building them a synagogue.
• His humility showed he was poor in spirit before God (Matt. 5:3).
• He was pure in heart in his intentions (Matt. 5:8).
• Jesus commended his faith in God (Luke 7:9).

In Caesarea, Cornelius was a centurion (Acts 10:1-8,24-48). He was a devout man, of religious commitment, who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously, and prayed continually to God (v 2).  When God called to him by vision of an angel, he responded in respect and believed God’s message. He sent for Peter immediately (v 3-8).  He called his household and close friends together, prepared for Peter’s coming. When Peter came, Cornelius fell down and worshiped but Peter picked him up saying, “Stand up, I too am a man” (v24-26, ESV).  Cornelius then let Peter know, “…we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord” (v33b, ESV). 

Cornelius and his guests heard the message: God shows no favoritism, but accepts all who fear Him and do what is acceptable in his sight, and that through faith in Jesus Christ (who is Lord of all, and did miraculous works by the Holy Spirit, was crucified and rose from the dead) one may receive the forgiveness of sins, and that He is the one who will judge the living and the dead (v34-43). They believed the gospel and the Holy Spirit fell on them as it had on the apostles in the beginning, and they spoke in tongues exalting God. Then Peter commanded that they be baptized in the name of Jesus.  And when they had, they asked that Peter and his companions stay for some days.

• Cornelius respected God in worship and heeding God’s word to him (Matt. 5:3).
• He showed meekness in his response to the vision and the gospel of Christ (Matt. 5:5).
• He hungered and thirsted for righteousness in immediately sending to Peter, yearning to hear the message from God, and then desiring that Peter and his companions stay for some days (Matt. 5:6).
• He was merciful to the people of the country in giving alms generously (Matt. 5:7; Acts 20:35).
• He was pure in heart, receiving the gospel as the word of God (Matt. 5:8).
• As a centurion seeking the peace of God among his people and also with the Jews, as when Peter came, he may be considered a peace maker (Matt. 5:9).
• He believed even though he had not seen the Lord Jesus (John 20:29)

Both these Centurions were blessed through their faith in God. The actions they took, in acknowledging God and his power, are examples for our consideration to follow. They respected God and their fellow man.  They probably were not any more perfect than we are, but they sought the favor of the Lord and his mercy just as we do in our need of forgiveness today.  Remember, “God shows no partiality, but accepts all people who fear Him and do what is right and acceptable to Him” (Acts 34c-35, ESV).