SCRIPTURE: Mark 15
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!” [Mark 15:39]
A non-Jew, a witness to the horrific death of Jesus, and also to the circumstances surrounding His death, comes to this conclusion, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”
If it wasn’t for all the baggage that surrounds christianity and the church, I am pretty sure that more non-christians would be more open to affirming the uniqueness and wonder of Jesus.
The events of this day are so embedded on our minds as christians, after years (and years) of hearing these stories, singing songs about it, and listening to sermons about its importance.
But do we really experience them as dramatically and significantly as we should?
I mention Mel Gibson’s movie “The Passion” again because for me, it helped me experience in a new way the horror and wonder of this event.
With tears, with shaking head and troubled heart, its easy (for me) to see why the centurion spoke as he did.
I had the same sense as I endured the journey to the cross, and the final moments before He died.
Oh God, oh God, its awful…
Some people questioned the brutality that Gibson portrayed in the movie, but it rings true for me.
Its no different than the kind of brutality that still happens worldwide.
Just think about what happened 11 years ago today, September 11th.
Among other things, the crucifixion is God’s uniting with us in the full misery and horror of sin.
I love the way Gibson portrays this with the tear drop falling from heaven.
God does not remain aloof or indifferent to human suffering.
This is the world that we have made, and He is working through it to change it.
He mourns with those who mourn, He suffers with those who suffer.
He dies with those who die.
So that those who die with Him, live with Him!
Watch the following video clip, and maybe you too can say with the centurion, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”
PRAYER:
Lord, what happened that day was awful, and yet it was good. You died our death, so that we might live Your life!