Truly This is the Son of God!

With the Easter season comes a renewed appreciation for and focus on the story of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection (especially nowadays, when the Bible App offers so many plans!). I read the below passage in Mark a couple of weeks back, and today read the cross-referenced passage in Luke. Please, take time to read them:

 "And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, 'Truly this man was the Son of God!'" Mark 15:37-39 (English Standard).

"Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “'Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!' And having said this he breathed his last. Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, 'Certainly this man was innocent!'" Luke 23:46-47 (English Standard). 

When I read the Mark passage a few weeks ago, the centurion's reaction to Jesus' death struck a cord; he saw the way Jesus breathed His last and recognized who Jesus was. I wonder, did he see Jesus, after being crucified, ask His Father to hold his murderers innocent? Did he see Jesus tell the thief next to Him that he would be with Him in paradise? Did he hear Jesus proclaim "it is finished" and "Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit"? Regardless of what this Roman centurion observed about Jesus, it was enough for him -- a blood-thirsty Roman -- to see that Jesus was not an ordinary man. What a testimony. This Roman saw that Jesus was the real deal.

When we hear about Jesus (and read, in detail, of His life, death, and resurrection on earth), what is our response? We can move on with our lives or we can consider the impact of Jesus.

I don't know about you, but this does a couple things for me. In one way, it convicts me about my lack of faith, negligent appreciation for the Gospel, and horrible unworthiness. At the same time, this reminds me of what an incredible, incredible Savior we serve. We have the completed canon of Scripture, we have the mystery of the Gospel revealed, we see God's beautiful creation, and we can know that our Jesus LIVES!

When through the woods, and forest glades I wander, 
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.

When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur

And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.

Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee, 

How great Thou art, How great Thou art.

Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee, 

How great Thou art, How great Thou art! 

And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing; 

Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in; 

That on a Cross, my burdens gladly bearing,

He bled and died to take away my sin.

When we consider all that God has done, consider Christ's obedience to the point of death on a cross, and read of His testimony on earth, let us proclaim, "my God, how great you are!"

May these scattered thoughts make some semblance of sense and be a blessing!

Hold fast to Jesus!

Sonia