...your witness to the Son of God...

“33 When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 At three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 35 When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, “Listen, He is calling for Elijah.” 36 And someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.” 37 Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. 38 And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. 39 Now when the centurion who stood facing Jesus saw that, in this way Jesus breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was God’s Son” Mark 15:33-39!

I want to focus on Mark’s final words at the end, because what the centurion said links up with what we have heard Mark speak about from the very start of his gospel: “The beginning of the good news, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” Mark 1:1. The opening line of the Gospel speaks of Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. The voice at Jesus’ baptism hails Jesus as God’s beloved son; the voice at Jesus’ transfiguration says the same to Peter, James and John. The parable of the wicked tenants spoke of the “Beloved Son”, sent by the father but killed by the workers. Caiaphas asked Jesus if he was the Messiah, God’s Son. The crowds mocked Jesus in the same words.

And now at last, not the high priest, not a leading rabbi, not even a loyal disciple, but a battle-hardened government employee, hired to kill humans the way one might kill flies, stands before this dying young Jewish man and says something which, in Mark’s mind, sends a signal to the whole world that the Kingdom of God has indeed come, that a new age is being born, that God has done something the news of which will spread around the globe. The Roman centurion becomes the first sane human being in Mark’s Gospel to call Jesus, God’s Son, and mean it. Yes, says Mark to his Gentile audience. And if the Centurion sees Jesus as God’s Son, why not more? Why not you and me?

If not a Roman thug who works for the government crucifying the guilty recognizes Jesus as the Son of God, where in your heart do you recognize Jesus as He says He is — and as He demonstrates — He is who He says He is?

And how does your recognition of Jesus show up in your life? How do others see Jesus in you? In more than just your words, but most especially in the way you love others — and in the way you help others? In your behavior?

Take some quiet time today and ponder that question. If someone with minimal education, someone with no theological training, or someone with no knowledge of the Scriptures, a professional, government-sponsored killer, can recognize Jesus, then how about you? How about me?

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy win me a sinner.

From the Bible:

“Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let them deny themself and take up their cross and follow Me’” Matthew 16:24.

“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” John 8:12.

“For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps” 1 Peter 2:21.

“Be imitators of Christ” 1 Corinthians 11:1.

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” John 10:27.

“You will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved” Matthew 10:22.