Two centurions in the gospels (2) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

When the centurion, who stood opposite him (Jesus), saw that he cried out like this and breathed his last, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.
Mark 15:39.

Two centurions in the gospels (2)
The second centurion in the gospels was the captain in charge of the crucifixion of Jesus and the criminals. He had possibly made his soldiers mock Jesus, spit at Him and strike Him on the head. It was probably not the first execution he had participated in, but this one was out of the ordinary. The main victim had an unusually noble bearing. He ignored the insults and prayed for His executioners. He thought of His mother and confided her to His disciple. He comforted His companions under the same death-sentence.

At midday the sun was darkened until the One called "the King of the Jews" solemnly cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" When the sun reappeared, Jesus died with a triumphant shout, whereas those crucified normally die of asphyxia and have not the breath to speak. Finally an earthquake shook the rocks, terrifying all present at the scene. The centurion witnessed publicly: "Truly this man was the Son of God".

Right to the end the religious leaders in their hatred of Jesus refused to see the Son of God in Him. By contrast, this soldier, although far from accepting the Jewish religion, surrendered to the evidence: his eyes were opened to behold the greatness of the Son of God who became Man. Spiritually, he resembled the blind man, to whom Jesus said, "Do you believe in the Son of God? He answered , Who is he, Lord, that I may believe in him? And Jesus said to him, You have both seen him and it is he who is talking with you. Then he said, Lord, I believe! And he worshipped him."

How do you see Jesus?

(concluded)

Today's reading: Genesis 29:1-14 · Psalms 15:1-5