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!”
- Mark 15:39 (NIV11)
What was it about Jesus' death that led this centurion to proclaim "Surely this man was the Son of God!" The apostle Matthew, in his account of the crucifixion suggests that it was the centurion's experience of the miraculous - earthquake and all - at the moment of Jesus' death that led him to make this proclamation of faith regarding Jesus: "When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, 'Surely he was the Son of God!'" (Matthew 27:54).
Yet for the evangelist Mark, the centurion's confession arose, not as a result of the miracles surrounding Jesus' death but rather because of "how he died". It was the way Jesus died that convinced this Roman centurion. It was something unseen by most who were gathered at the cross and yet life-changing for this centurion. As a centurion, stationed in Jerusalem he had probably assisted in or overseen many a crucifixions yet this one was different. Exactly what made this death different for this centurion is the stuff of personal testimonies of faith; professions of faith that flow out of mysterious spiritual encounters we have with God that lead us to faith.
Even before this centurion had experienced the good news of the resurrection of Jesus, he embraced the good news of the cross revealing the Son of God. Only twice does the evangelist Mark use the title "Son of God". The first is in the opening verse of his Gospel: "The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God" (Mark 1:1). The second is upon the lips of this centurion: "Surely this man was the Son of God!" (Mark 15:39b)
Yet for the evangelist Mark, the centurion's confession arose, not as a result of the miracles surrounding Jesus' death but rather because of "how he died". It was the way Jesus died that convinced this Roman centurion. It was something unseen by most who were gathered at the cross and yet life-changing for this centurion. As a centurion, stationed in Jerusalem he had probably assisted in or overseen many a crucifixions yet this one was different. Exactly what made this death different for this centurion is the stuff of personal testimonies of faith; professions of faith that flow out of mysterious spiritual encounters we have with God that lead us to faith.
Even before this centurion had experienced the good news of the resurrection of Jesus, he embraced the good news of the cross revealing the Son of God. Only twice does the evangelist Mark use the title "Son of God". The first is in the opening verse of his Gospel: "The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God" (Mark 1:1). The second is upon the lips of this centurion: "Surely this man was the Son of God!" (Mark 15:39b)
According to Mark, the good news was revealed to this centurion, not in the miraculous earthquake nor in the resurrection, but rather in the way Jesus died: a death beyond bravery; far more than a martyr dying well for a cause; but rather as the very embodiment of God, the crucified Messiah bearing our sins.
"For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified."
"For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified."
- The Apostle Paul, 1 Corinthians 2:2
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, open our eyes and hearts that we might experience in the manner of Jesus' death, the Good News that leads to eternal life through him who is Messiah and Son of God. Amen.
Heavenly Father, open our eyes and hearts that we might experience in the manner of Jesus' death, the Good News that leads to eternal life through him who is Messiah and Son of God. Amen.
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