The Heart Of The Gospel – He Gave Himself For Me

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Matthew 27:54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

A centurion was trained never to fear. As the most trusted of the soldiers of Caesar’s Legions, these were the men who looked death in the face unflinchingly. They would lock their mighty shields in battle and march against countless foes and never fear. Have you ever paused to think about this scene? What amazing events these must have been to make a tough, calloused and hardened centurion to FEAR GREATLY.

This soldier had been born somewhere in the Empire. Perhaps his father was a legionnaire. He listened to the stories he grew up with about the wonders of Ancient Rome. It nobles, temples, virtues, and fearless legionnaires. As he grew perhaps his father took him to the Holidays and at an arena, he saw gladiators fighting to the death and mighty horse and chariot races.

Then he chose to become one of Caesar’s finest and the barracks became his home. He was taught to discipline his body, obey orders and fight without fear. He learned to kill, drink and curse by the gods. He was calloused and hard. A SOLDIER OF ROME. As he distinguished himself in his duties he rose to become a leader of a hundred, a Centurion.

One day on the bulletin board of his barracks and notice was posted dispatching him to the most despised corner of the Empire – Palestine. But not the lovely coastal port of Roman Caesarea, no of all places on earth he was being sent to Jerusalem. A city seething with religious fanaticism and zealots and ready to explode at any moment. A place where Rome was not respected nor obeyed. He served Caesar in Jerusalem.

One morning the Roman Governor Pilate summoned him to his palace. “Take these three and crucify them and report back when they are dead.” Who were they? It didn’t matter. 30,000 had already been crucified. It was just a job. One of them thought he was some kind of a King. Well we will show Him what Rome thinks of rival kings. But now its 3 PM, and listen to the record God gave us of what happened:

Matthew 27:50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. 51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; 52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. 54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

So God the Father Confirmed who Christ really was hanging upon that Cross as He reached up and touched the Sun, as He reached over and touched the Temple, as He reached down and touched the Rocks, as He reached under and touched the Graves, and as He reached in and touched the Centurion’s heart!

THAT IS THE GREATEST MIRACLE OF ALL BECAUSE THAT IS THE ONE HE IS STILL DOING!
I have often wondered what it was like when he went home after this tour of duty. People came up to him and said you are different. What happened? I can hear him say: “I met a man at a place called Calvary. He was dying on a cross of wood. That man was GOD. And that God changed my life! Hallelujah, what a Savior! Have you met Jesus? Has He changed your life?”