Reading: Matthew 27:11-56
When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” Matthew 27:54
The faith of the centurion amazes me. He likely saw none of Jesus’ miracles. I doubt he heard any of His teachings. His only experience with Jesus was to oversee the execution of a criminal convicted to die a cruel death. His only vision of Jesus was of a battered and beaten man nailed on a cross. Yet this Roman soldier, who probably had no respect for Jews, had the faith to see that Jesus was the Son of God.
What great faith! The disciples weren’t the ones declaring Jesus as God’s Son. They were huddled together trying to figure out what was going on. It took the resurrection for them to believe. But this Gentile, who had little or no knowledge of the Jewish prophecy, saw Jesus for who He is.
Do we have that kind of faith? I have at times, but I admit it is rare. When I can’t see how God is going to work or He is working in a different way than I expect, I have a difficult time seeing that it is God. It’s hard for me to believe the cross without the empty tomb. But, despite what I believe, God is always God. And no matter what we may think about what should happen, God is forever God, even when He is dying on the cross.
Challenge: What troubles in your life are you struggling to see God in? Continue to trust that even though you can’t see Him, God is still at work in your life.
Prayer Request: Pray for both our noon Good Friday and Good Friday at the Pavilion worship services.
