“And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, ‘Truly this man was the Son of God!’” (Mark 15:39 ESV)
Roman soldiers were expert executioners. They had seen men die in the cruelest of ways. They had witnessed their various human responses to torture and death. Yet, this officer had never seen anyone endure suffering as Jesus did. What was it about Jesus that moved this hardened death squad centurion? Was it His dignity and demeanor amidst such ugliness and disdain? Was it His care for the thief crucified beside Him or His forgiveness of the taunting crowd? Perhaps it was the darkening of the sky or the ground that shook when He cried out His last? Maybe there was a way that He looked at the Roman leader with compassion in His eyes even as He was dying?
Whatever it was, this officer was moved to affirm Christ’s identity. His normally sarcastic, biting tongue was moved to childlike wonder. I wonder. What became of this Roman officer? Did he turn in his sword for a seat at the Lord’s table? Did he exchange his Roman helmet for one of salvation? Will we see the soldier who once stood at the foot of the cross, someday a servant bowing at the feet of the Christ?
Meanwhile, Mark tells us that Pilate, surprised at how quickly Jesus had died, sent for the centurion to confirm His death (Mark 15:44-45). That means this very soldier—the one who had just confessed Jesus as the Son of God—was the one who testified to Pilate that Jesus was truly dead. What an incredible thought! The man in charge of overseeing His execution was also the one who affirmed His death, setting the stage for His burial and, ultimately, the proclamation of His resurrection.
Like the centurion, we must face the reality of Jesus. We can try to ignore Him, choose to reject Him, or, like this soldier, confess Him as Lord. The cross of Christ demands a response. Have you truly acknowledged Jesus for who He is? Does your confession of Christ move beyond mere words into a life surrendered to Him?
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for revealing Jesus even to the hardest of hearts. Just as the centurion saw Christ for who He was, open our eyes to see Him more clearly. Strengthen us to share our confession of Jesus boldly and publicly. In Jesus’ name, Amen.