Marcus Valerius- Luke 7

 

            I am Marcus Valerius, the chief Roman centurion for the region of Capernaum, the region on the northwest of Galilee.  My job? To live and serve Herod Antipas, the current tetrarch of Galilee. I have charge of over 110 men, who protect the peace of the borders between Herod Antipas’ region and his half brother Herod Phillip’s region. My men also enforce the tax collections on the people who travel through the main road. I acquired this high-ranking position a few years ago, after Herod Antipas recognized the many successful battles, in which I led my men to victory. I live in a well furbished house with numerous servants (thanks to my paycheck of  25 denarii a day), but am not married. My work has prohibited me from this because of how often I must travel and move to different regions. A few months ago, I sent a group of my men to enforce the collections of the monthly taxes from the residents of Capernaum. My men keep watch over the shifty tax collectors who think they grab a few coins out of each bag without being noticed. On this particular occasion though, something extraordinary happened. I was checking in on my men to make sure everything was going smoothly. As I rode my horse around the long line in front of the tax collection table, my eyes caught on a man who was making his way towards the table. He seemed to be a resident of the region. The most noticeable thing about him was the crowd of people around him. There were at least 100 people watching his every move. I had no idea what was so special about this man; he looked like just another poor, commonplace citizen. I questioned my man to see if they knew who he was. They told me his name was Jesus, and that he had been teaching crowds of people for the past few weeks. As they were telling me this, He walked straight up to one of the tax collectors whose name was Levi, and said the words, “Follow me” in a clear, audible voice. Levi gazed into his eyes and immediately left his post and began to walk with Jesus.

            I’ve been dwelling on this thing which I witnessed, and it makes little sense to me. However, what I have been hearing from my men has increased my knowledge of who this Jesus is. Apparently, he is from Nazareth, the son of a carpenter, but unique. He has been teaching the people of Capernaum parables and doing miracles! I have heard numerous witnesses’ accounts of him healing paralytics, the blind and the lame! And while I can scarcely believe this, I sense something different about him.

            A few days ago, I discovered that one of my house servants, Aurius had become seriously ill. He was so weak, with a high fever and quite delirious. I sent for the doctor, but to no avail. The doctor could do nothing except put a cold compress on his head to cool down the fever. Yesterday, I knew I could not wait any longer unless I wanted to see my servant die. As I pondered what to do, a thought struck me, and immediately I knew it was the best decision. I asked a few of the Jewish elders to humbly request that Jesus come to heal my servant. I had no place to approach this powerful man, especially since I am a roman.  The Jewish elders approached him and asked him; and so he went with them and began to journey to my house. When I was informed that this incredible, powerful man was approaching my house, I immediately became nervous. Who was I to accept the benefits of this Jewish man who did miracles? So, I sent a few of my friends to him with a message. I knew that he could heal my servant; I had no doubts within me. So, I told my friends to tell him not to even come in the house, but to just say the word and heal my servant, as I knew he was more then able. A few minutes after I sent my friends, my servant began to wake up and was able to eat some food! I was not shocked; but I was beyond grateful. From that moment, I knew that what this man had to say was true. There was no doubt about that. How it will affect my decisions and my life, I have yet to find out.