PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Mark 15:38-41
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Surely this man was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:39)
This non Jewish soldier sees something God-like in Jesus.
We assume he means that Jesus is divine, but is this what he’s saying?
Consider Luke’s version, “Surely this was a righteous man.” (Luke 23:47)
My sense is that these phrases mean the same thing.
The phrase ‘son of God’ means one like God, with God’s character.
The same phrase is used of Adam in Jesus’ genealogy. (Luke 3:38)
In other words, this phrase describes humanity as we ought to be.
We were created to be “like God” as his image-bearers (children).
We were made to live, to love, to be like Jesus, like Adam, like God!
Jesus deserved this title of righteousness, but what about me?
Jesus becomes a faithful Adam for me, to beat Satan and sin for me.
Jesus reclaims Adam’s throne for me, and restores me to God.
Now by grace God looks at me and says, “Surely this man is a son of God!”
I am God’s child, and so are you… because Jesus made it possible for us!
PRAYER
Lord, thanks to you I am accepted as God’s righteous son. Help me with your Spirit to reflect your God-like character, and so be the me you saved me to be!
At the foot of the cross where Jesus died – the centurion proclaims Jesus as a son of God – the women who cared for Him – watching from a distance. Did they here the Centurion’s remarks? I think so. Mark records this for us – he probably heard from them. The women too saw the way Jesus died – their emotions raw – probably confused – wondering why the Jesus they cared for, the one they thought was the Messiah – had to die a criminal’s death – then to have a gentile soldier declare that Jesus must be a son of God! It likely added to the confusion – but later they would understand how it all was part of Jesus mission to care for them and for us! Lord, sometime I too wonder why it had to be this way – but then you help me with the ‘big picture’ and I realize you have a plan – for me too! You the righteous one dying so that I might be a son of God.