Mark Chapter 15: Verse 39 (NIV-UK)
And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, ‘Surely this man was the Son of God!’
The centurion must have seen many crucifixions, heard many recriminations, sobs and curses. But he’d never seen one where there was no blame, only forgiveness. Mark’s Gospel doesn’t go into the same detail about the time of the crucifixion, and of Jesus’ conversation with the two thieves and with John and His mother. But the centurion would have seen all of that and recognised that Jesus’ response was totally different. Even in the midst of such an awful situation, he realised who Jesus was.
As ambassadors of Jesus, how do people see us as we go through different situations? Do we react as they think we should, or is the light of Christ shining through us? Or do we just respond in the same way as anyone else? Food for thought, I think!
Dear Lord,
The Centurion recognised that Jesus was who He said. May I be recognised as a follower of Jesus because I seek to emulate the way You lived. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.