“Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. Now when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, ‘Truly this man was God’s Son!’” Mark 15:37-40
On this Good Friday, we remember Jesus’ death on the cross. In the Gospel of Mark the only person who calls Jesus the Son of God is this centurion who presumably was the Roman official presiding over the crucifixion. As far as we know he had never met Jesus before this. Simply by seeing the manner in which Jesus died, the centurion confesses that this was God’s Son. He could see the deep meaning and purpose that this event had. I invite you to reflect on that meaning and purpose – who this Christ is for you – not just today, but every day as we proclaim Christ crucified.
Let us pray. Gracious God, we give you thanks for the immeasurable gift of your Son, Jesus Christ, who died upon the cross for our sakes. May we remind ourselves of the meaning and purpose of the cross for our own lives as we progress forward into our day as children of God. Amen.
Pastor Ben Nickodemus
