If Christ had compassion for the Roman Centurion, what about you?

If Christ had compassion for the Roman Centurion, what about you?
by
Chaplain Kathie

Many veterans are dealing with survivors guilt after combat. One aspect of PTSD is wondering why they survived when their friends didn't but there is another part to it. Taking the life of someone else. Survivors guilt cannot be taken away with pills, or alcohol, but can be vanquished with understanding something most misunderstand.

"If only" pops into their heads as they wonder how they could have changed the outcome of something. Frankly, it is hard for any human to understand they are not in control and do not have the power of God. Aside from wondering where God was during war, they wonder why He didn't stop it all from happening in the first place. After combat, they wonder if God is real almost as if they wonder if He is punishing them for what they did when they are suffering with PTSD.

The Sunday school lessons they learned as a child feed into their guilt.

Matthew 5
21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder,and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.

They believe they are guilty in the eyes of God viewing their service linked to "murder" and not part of being a defender. While the Old Testament is filled with accounts of combat, even more horrific than we see today, they are not reminded of these events. Combat is not murder. Killing is not the end result they seek. While in the chaos of combat one side is trying to kill off the other side but the outcome everyone seeks is an end to the killing. Should the other side surrender, the warriors would be more than happy to put their weapons down and go home.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Christ said this,

The Beatitudes

He said:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Most of it applies to the men and women serving this country but they fail to remember why they wanted to serve in the first place. What was their original intent? Was it to kill or was it to defend? Were they really willing to die for the reason of combat or were they willing to die for each other?

There is something else that supports Christ's view of those who serve. Consider the Roman Centurion. He was part of the occupiers and since Christ knew the outcome of His life, He knew it would be Roman hands that would nail Him to the cross, yet when the Centurion came to Him for help, this is what happened.

Luke 7

The Faith of the Centurion

1 When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. 2 There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. 3 The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” 6 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. 7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 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.”

9 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.” 10 Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.

If Christ had compassion for the Roman Centurion, then there can be no question about compassion for the men and women serving for the sake of others.

Do not view death as God needing them more, or it was just their time to go, any more than you should view yourself to blame. As long as you did what you could at the time, that is all that was in your power. God has mercy and maybe He brings them home so they won't have to suffer afterwards. Set aside the "would have" "could have" and "should have" as much as you set aside "what if" because it is an answer you will not find. What you can find is peace by knowing you are forgiven and when you do the hardest thing, of forgiving yourself.