The CenturionThe Centurion
And when the Centurion who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said " Surely this man was the Son of God!" Mark 15:39
A Centurion was like a police officer of today. His assignment was to carry out the laws of the state; in this
case, it was the execution of three criminals. He had done this job before and he would do it again. He felt his
job meant something to society, he was the protector of his community and he liked what he stood for. The centurion
was like his present day counterpart. He joined the organization because it was a life of adventure, a position
of responsibility and maybe he could make a difference in this world. After several years on the job he discovered
he sometimes made a difference, but at a tremendous cost to himself and those he loved the most. He saw the world
differently now. He had seen his fellow man demonstrate compassion, bravery and occasionally even love for one
another. He had also seen them as victims, their bodies and minds damaged beyond recognition, and as victimizers,
preying on the weaker among us. He got what he signed on for, his life had been an adventure and he had more than
his share of responsibility. In the bargain he had become suspicious of most, and had become harder, maybe a little
cynical.
This was the centurion who stood in front of Jesus now. The state had sentenced Jesus and two criminals to die
for their crimes. The centurion and his officers had done their jobs; in fact, they had done more than their jobs.
Everything had gotten carried away. They mocked this man called Jesus, the one who called himself "The Son
of God". They made him wear a purple robe and a crown of thorns. They taunted him, falling on their knees,
saying, "Hail King of the Jews". They struck him on the head with a staff and they spit on him. How had
things gotten so far out of control? This man called Jesus now hung before him, bleeding and broken. The centurion
had seen it all, he was suspicious of most, but could find no guilt in this Jesus. He could only find compassion,
bravery, and most of all love. This Jesus was the best we had and we humiliated him and we killed him.
The public demanded his execution. The centurion did his duty, but the officer could not make sense of it all.
As a police officer of today, I understand my brother of yesterday; I can't make sense of it all either. And like
my brother of yesterday, I recognize that the only perfect thing we have had, we continually mock and humiliate.
I believe that we, as modern day centurions, can live a life of adventure and responsibility. But most of all we
can make a difference through a life committed to this man called Jesus. Surely this man is the "Son of God!"
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This page is maintained by Devin Chase, please e-mail me your comments, suggestions, prayer requests or questions.
Our thanks to Duane Robinson for this contribution to the Iron Sharpens Iron pages
This page was last updated on 01 January 2001
A new millennium, yes. A new Jesus, no. For Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever.