He served Rome for thirty years — undefeated, unquestioning. Then a dying servant, an impossible request, and one man in Judea changed everything.Ceconi is a Roman centurion hardened by decades of service, a devoted follower of Mithras and loyal son of the Empire. When a powerful senator arranges his transfer to Judea — to spy on the ambitious Pontius Pilate, who owes his career to the emperor's scheming right-hand man Sejanus — Ceconi accepts without question. Duty is his calling. His service is his reward.In the dusty provinces of first-century Judea, reports circulate of a Nazarene preacher who draws crowds and is said to work miracles. Ceconi has no patience for such stories. He has Zealots to suppress and a senator's political games to navigate.Then his beloved servant falls gravely ill. Every remedy fails. Every resource of Rome proves useless.What this hardened soldier does next — and what he witnesses in return — will upend everything he thought he knew about power, faith, and what it means to truly command.A knowing reimagining of Matthew 8:9 and a celebrated moment at the Crucifixion, told with grace and authenticity by a writer who brings first-century Rome to vivid, credible life."Fuller handles it all with considerable grace and economy." — Kirkus Reviews
He served Rome for thirty years — undefeated, unquestioning. Then a dying servant, an impossible request, and one man in Judea changed everything.Ceconi is a Roman centurion hardened by decades of service, a devoted follower of Mithras and loyal son of the Empire. When a powerful senator arranges his transfer to Judea — to spy on the ambitious Pontius Pilate, who owes his career to the emperor's scheming right-hand man Sejanus — Ceconi accepts without question. Duty is his calling. His service is his reward.In the dusty provinces of first-century Judea, reports circulate of a Nazarene preacher who draws crowds and is said to work miracles. Ceconi has no patience for such stories. He has Zealots to suppress and a senator's political games to navigate.Then his beloved servant falls gravely ill. Every remedy fails. Every resource of Rome proves useless.What this hardened soldier does next — and what he witnesses in return — will upend everything he thought he knew about power, faith, and what it means to truly command.A knowing reimagining of Matthew 8:9 and a celebrated moment at the Crucifixion, told with grace and authenticity by a writer who brings first-century Rome to vivid, credible life."Fuller handles it all with considerable grace and economy." — Kirkus Reviews
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