Here is the long-awaited video of the Centurion, filmed on location in Capernaum, Israel. The Dynamic of Authority is the centerpiece of the Police Dynamics message. And the account of the Centurion is the focal point of that dynamic. I had an incredible opportunity to relate this story from Matthew 8:5-13 standing in the very synagogue built by this amazing government leader.

The best historical illustration of a man under authority happened about 2000 years ago in this little village along the Sea of Gallilee. The Centurion assigned to this post was the representative of Roman governmental authority. He was the law enforcement official of that time, responsible for maintaining the law, order, health, safety, and morals of that community. As modern day centurions, his story is pivotal for any law enforcement officer or government official eager to gain an understanding of this important principle.

Here is some more video from Capernaum showing the outside of the synagogue, St. Peter’s home (under the glass dome), and the Sea of Gallilee.


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6 Responses to The Centurion

  1. Mike Mercer says:

    Ray,

    Hope this finds you well and alert! I have just finished watching “The Centurion”. EXCELLENT WORK! You speak dynamically to two points. You deliver the best explanation of the centurion’s authority and faith that I have ever heard. I have understood it for years but have never been able to verbalize it as you have.

    Second, you have described the ‘authority’ responsibility of not only the police and military but also of the heads of families, ministers of churches and the list could go on and on. WELL DONE!

    Of long time interest to me is that this centurion displayed faith ‘not seen in all of Israel’ i.e. he, a pagan, knew who Jesus was. Next, although probably not this centurion, the first recorded conversion we have after the cross is the centurion who said.”Truly, this was the Son of God” [Matt 27:54, Mark 15:39, Luke 23:47] The next recorded were of Cleopas and the other man on the road to Emmaus.

    Mike Mercer

  2. Earl Worsham says:

    Sheriff,

    Thank you so very much for this letter of recommendation. I am so very pleased that you took your time to write it for me. I will always treasure the letter and your opinion of me. I am confident it will serve me well in my search for employment.

    I spoke with Bill Stahl today and we were talking about what a great chief we lost when you left Summerville. We both hold you in the highest regard. We spoke of your integrity and your support of your officers and of your leadership and fairness. You made it easy for us to do our job. We spoke of how you always seemed to see our abilities and how well you made your expectations known. I admire you greatly sir.

    Thanks again. You will always have a friend in me.

    Earl Worsham

  3. […] the Apostle Peter who was one of Jesus’ disciples who lived at Capernaum where I filmed The Centurion video. Peter was a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee and being there gave me an opportunity to talk […]

  4. […] of visiting the ancient Roman city of Jerash in Amman, Jordan to tell another story about the centurion.  In the Roman military tradition, the soldiers would line up for inspection and as the centurion […]

  5. Tabstarbelle says:

    I really enjoyed this video Sheriff Ray! Thank you very much.

  6. […] Law Enforcement from the 2005 International Association of Character Cities Conference, I use the lesson of the Centurion from Capernaum (Matthew chapter 8) to illustrate the power of being a man (or woman) of integrity […]

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Sheriff Ray Nash

Sheriff Ray Nash

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