“Truly this Man was the Son of God!”... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2024

So when the centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said, Truly this Man was the Son of God!
Mark 15:39

“Truly this Man was the Son of God!” said the Roman centurion. And probably for the first time in this hard soldier’s life, he felt naked fear rising within him. Yes, this crucifixion was different from usual – completely different. The Roman felt that clearly. Everything had gone quite strangely – even until the very end. At that point, for example, the condemned man had cried out twice more.

The Roman mercenary knew from experience that a crucified man could no longer have the strength to cry out. But “this man” had cried out into the darkness. And still the cry sounded in the ears of the centurion. What had He called out? – “My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?” And then, only a little later, He had cried aloud for the last time. It was clear to the centurion: this was not a death cry, as he had often heard.

This crucified one was not a criminal. The centurion was quite sure of that. On the contrary, He was a benefactor. What had He said shortly after the legionaries had crucified Him? “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” Thoughtful and introspective, the Roman looked at the cross in the centre. He and his men would probably have to stay for a while – until the other condemned men had also died.

Whether this Roman centurion, who was in command at the crucifixion, then later accepted the risen Lord personally as his Saviour, we are not told.

You had to feel it, how God’s wrath so heavy
for us and our sins, as much as sand on the sea.
You took our place out of free love and mercy,
gave your own soul for our sin and guilt.Jaques Erné (1825–1883)

Today’s reading: Deuteronomy 15:7-23 · Matthew 26:47-58