-November 14, 2022-
Good morning, happy Monday,
“So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened they feared greatly, saying, ‘Truly this was the Son of God.’”
(Matthew 27:54).
The events at the cross were dramatic, powerful, and unmistakable to all those present that day at the cross of Calvary. Jesus was crucified in between two thieves, one of which got saved. Today, in part two of our series on the Roman Centurions, we have an unnamed centurion, along with his men, who feared greatly and were amazed at what Jesus said and all things that took place that day. Tradition has it that the name of this particular centurion was Petronius, who made the marvelous declaration, “Truly this was the Son of God.” Luke records it, “So when the centurion saw what happened, he glorified God, saying, ‘Certainly this was a righteous Man’” (Luke 23:47).
There were many incredible things that happened that day when Jesus was crucified for our sins: the sun was darkened and darkness covered the earth for three hours, noon to 3 o’clock, one of the thieves asked Jesus to remember him when He would come into His kingdom, Jesus died much sooner than anyone had seen before, there was a great earthquake and the rocks were split, the veil of the temple was torn in two, from the top to the bottom, and the bodies of many saints were raised up and appeared to many in Jerusalem.
The centurion was at the cross to ensure that Pilate’s orders were carried out and Jesus was officially dead. He had likely witnessed many crucifixions in his career. They were all horrific but this one was far different than any of the others. Most criminals who were nailed to a cross either pleaded for mercy or cursed their executioners. Not so with Jesus. He actually asked the Father to forgive them. Luke records our Savior’s words, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34). That included him, his men, the Jewish leaders, Pilate, and everyone in the world, including us. We were all guilty of His death and were represented at the cross by our sins.
Let us confess Him as Lord and live all the days of our lives for Him. He died in our place, rose again for our justification, and sits at the right hand of God. He is coming again. His first advent was to die to save us; His second advent will be to reign. The Scriptures tell us that when He returns to earth, even those who crucified Him will see Him.
No wonder why sheer terror gripped the heart of the centurion and his men. Nothing like this had ever happened before! This hardened centurion was moved by it all. His declaration was sincere and showed faith in Christ. He would never be the same again. This is just like anyone who gets saved must come to the cross and receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. We have to confess we are sinners and deserving of eternal death, repent of our sins, and ask Jesus to come into our lives. Jesus was no ordinary man, He was the Son of God!
The hymn writer Isaac Watts wrote in the third stanza of his hymn, “At the Cross,” “Well might the sun in darkness hide and shut His glories in, when Christ the mighty Maker died for man the creature’s sin.” Let us marvel and be amazed! May we declare our faith in Christ.
Have a blessed day declaring Jesus as Lord and living for Him and serving Him. Stay safe and healthy.
Humbled at the cross,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 