The Centurion

Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, ⁶ saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.”

And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”

The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour.

—Matthew 8:5-13 

In Matthew 8:5-13 and Luke 7:1-10, Matthew and Luke tell the story of a centurion coming to Jesus. These passages can hold powerful significance for LGBTQ+ Christians. In this account, a Roman centurion, a commander, nominally of 100 soldiers and an outsider to the Jewish community, approaches Jesus with great faith, asking for healing for his servant. Jesus commends the centurion’s faith, and the servant is healed. Let’s look at why this story can be meaningful for LGBTQ+ Christians.

First, we can see that Jesus welcomes outsiders with compassion. Jesus did not qualify his help or refuse to see the centurion because he was not Jewish. The centurion was a Roman, a representative of the occupying force, and someone who would have been seen as an outsider by the Jewish community. Despite this, Jesus does not turn him away or judge him, but instead responds with compassion and grace. For LGBTQ+ Christians, this demonstrates that Jesus’ love transcends societal boundaries, prejudices, or religious barriers. No one is too “different” or “outside” to be embraced by Jesus.

Second, Jesus responded to the centurion’s faith, not his status or identity, showing that Jesus was inclusive of all people. The centurion’s position as a Roman and a soldier might have made him an unlikely figure to receive Jesus’ help in the eyes of many. Yet, Jesus does not focus on his social identity or background—he focuses on the centurion’s faith. This is an important reminder for LGBTQ+ Christians that God is concerned with our hearts, our faith, and our sincerity—not with our societal status or labels.

By not judging the centurion for what he was, Jesus is breaking cultural norms to bring healing. The centurion demonstrates a boldness in approaching Jesus, knowing that, by cultural standards, he might be rejected. He crosses lines of race, religion, and status to seek healing for someone he loves. For LGBTQ+ individuals, this can be a source of encouragement. It suggests that approaching Jesus in faith and seeking healing, love, and inclusion should not be hindered by fear of rejection. Jesus breaks through cultural norms to meet people where they are.

Third, we can look at the centurion’s relationship with his servant. While the Gospels do not explicitly detail the nature of the centurion’s relationship with his servant, some have speculated that it may have been a deeply affectionate or even intimate relationship. Regardless of the exact nature, the centurion clearly cared deeply for his servant, enough to seek help from Jesus on his behalf. This has led some LGBTQ+ Christians to see in this story a possible affirmation of loving, committed same-sex relationships, and a demonstration that deep love between individuals, regardless of societal expectations, is worthy of blessing and healing in Jesus’ eyes.

Finally, this story shows that faith that transcends barriers. Jesus marvels at the centurion’s faith, proclaiming in Matthew 8:10, “I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” This is a powerful message for LGBTQ+ Christians who may feel marginalized within religious communities. It reminds them that their faith is not lesser or invalid because of our identity. In fact, like the centurion, their faith can be a source of inspiration and affirmation, showing that God welcomes faith from all people, regardless of the barriers society may erect.

The core of the story is about healing—Jesus offers restoration without hesitation. For LGBTQ+ Christians who have been hurt by rejection or exclusion, this story should bring hope. It affirms that Jesus is always ready to bring healing to those who come to him, regardless of what others might think. For LGBTQ+ Christians, the story of the centurion going to Jesus is a profound example of how faith, love, and a deep trust in God transcend societal boundaries and norms. It demonstrates that God’s love and healing are available to all, including those who may be viewed as outsiders. The story invites LGBTQ+ believers to approach Jesus with confidence, knowing that their faith matters, their love is seen, and they are fully embraced by the Savior who heals and restores.