THE WONDROUS CROSS
It is no surprise that the Roman army presided at Jesus' crucifixion. In three of the four Gospels an insightful unnamed centurion still exclaims the wonder of the cross, etched now across time.
And when the centurion who stood there ... saw how He died, he said, surely He was the Son of God. (Mark 15:39)
The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, "Surely this was a righteous man." (Luke 23:47)
Did this centurion oversee the erection of the cross, and manage the crowd control? Would any lean fact escape him?
A rough day and supernatural darkness could not hide his sight and insight of Jesus. In a place where there was no peace, this soldier offered praise for the Prince of Peace.
A forever unnamed centurion became a purveyor of recognition and truth. He has spoken correctly for two millennia now, always a clear witness to the truth of Calvary until eternity arrives.
Thus, this centurion has drawn an unseen yet indelible line of truth deep in time's ancient sands.
The centurion's index finger unmistakeably etched a truth that cannot be lost on wind-blown dunes, or hidden in uncounted libraries.
His words echoed to unknown men, yet now they still resound - living words leaping from the pages of living scripture. There are no blurry edges to his praise. It is forever clear.
There was no shaking in this commander's voice. There was no fear that the murderous crowd and jeering soldiers would not respond well to his testimony.
He knew that a righteous man is:
- most rare
- to be revered
- to be recognised, and
- his righteousness must be shouted to the world.
Can only a righteous man recognise righteousness? Surely not - for I have too!
Easter echoes to this very day the wonder of the cross:
Jesus' righteousness is still for all to see, hear and receive, for even that evil darkness of Good Friday could not defeat light. The power of righteousness God always exalts.
“I will cut off the horns of all the wicked, but the horns of the righteous will be lifted up.” (Psalm 75:10)
It is the wonder of the Cross, to see the righteous raised. I wonder if the centurion also became a righteous man - a man who truly set his eyes upon Jesus?