Scripture
When the Roman officer who stood facing him saw how he had died, he exclaimed, “This man truly was the Son of God.”

Observation
Darkness falls over the whole land from 12 until 3 in the afternoon. Jesus calls out, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” Some of the bystanders think that he is calling out to the Prophet Elijah.

With another loud cry, Jesus breathes his last. The curtain in the sanctuary of the temple is torn into from top to bottom.

The Centurion overseeing the crucifixion exclaims “Surely this man was the Son of God!”

Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the High Council goes to Pilate to request Jesus’ body. He takes the body and places it in a tomb carved out of rock. A large stone is rolled across the entrance to the tomb.

Application
The crucifixion of Jesus is the high point of history. It is the centre of history, the before and after of all things.

A battle hardened Centurion who had seen many violent deaths in his life saw that this one was different. The death of Jesus was a testimony that this really was the Son of God.

We don’t know from the text whether this man recognised that Jesus was the son of the one true God or whether he had some pagan understanding of what he saw. Regardless, the way that Jesus died said something to this man about who Jesus is.

We understand now that because Jesus is the Son of God, his death on the cross purchased our redemption and for that we are truly thankful.

Listen
Lord, what do you want to say to me about the cross?

Keith, my love for you is so great that there is nothing I would hold back from you,

The day you turned to me in May 1976, the angels rejoiced as they do for every sinner who sees the light. It’s a non-stop celebration here!

Just as the Centurion testified with his limited understanding, I want all of my children to testify to what they have seen and experienced in me.