MARK 15:33-47 THIS MAN - THE SON OF GOD Many people appear in the narrative of the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus who are not spoken of in other passages of scripture. The unnamed centurion, who was an eyewitness of all that took place that day, as well as being a participant, gave the final and most important testimony as to who Jesus is. The last view unbelieving humanity saw of the Lord Jesus Christ was when He was on the cross. Three hours had passed when the Lord Jesus was tormented and reproached by religious leaders, passers-by, the thieves who were crucified with Him - the centurion saw and heard all this. Then there was three hours of darkness that was obviously supernatural and made men and women fearful. It was a melancholy scene - and the centurion was right in the middle of it. The silence, the sense of fear and desolation impressed that centurion with a foreboding feeling of the seriousness of what humans had done to God.
There were evidences given at Calvary that reveal what God is like. Nothing impacts a fearful soul quite as much as silence in the face of opposition. No words of retaliation, no threats were made - it was like everything was under a higher control than that of men. This we must remember for our own sake, is God- like. Compassion was shown towards grieving women on the roadside, to a sorrowing mother and a repentant thief. This we must remember is God-like. Under the pressure of suffering, the words spoken were few and purposeful leaving no doubt as to their meaning. This we must remember is God-like. The centurion saw and heard all of this.
At the end of six hours on the cross, "Jesus knew all things were now accomplished." The Lord Jesus was a human being who perfectly joined spiritual and holy things with secular things associated with everyday living. He knew when God was satisfied with the sacrifice He had made, and He now could "give up the ghost." He knew the cost of redemption for lost sinners had been dealt with fully so they could be saved - now He could "dismiss His spirit." His life and death of perfect humanity, and the blessings that have come from His compassionate deity had accomplished the purpose for which the Father had sent Him. Jehovah's Perfect Servant had done exactly what God wanted. Now He "gave up the ghost."
The centurion felt the ground shake beneath His feet. He saw rocks breaking around him and he knew this was no ordinary death of an ordinary man. He saw beyond what to him would have been a common sight, a crucifixion, to the One who was crucified. He saw beyond the envy, the mockery, the humiliation and the pain, to the Person who obviously had power to lay down His own life. The centurion knew the death of the Lord Jesus was way out of the ordinary. He believed that "Truly this Man was the Son of God." This is what we do today when we further the Gospel. We are to present Christ in such a way as to convince people who hear, that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Philip, a first century evangelist, did this when he preached "Jesus" to the eunuch from Ethiopia. We are to do that now and God can use us to bring eternal life to those who seek the Lord.
When the veil was torn from the top to the bottom and there was a way opened to the Holiest, the end of a religion took place. This was also the opening of a new and living way into the presence of God. Those who come to God are "accepted in the Beloved." Hopelessness and fear have been removed, and we are able to
"come to God by Him." Now faith in God brings blessing to mankind without the sin-polluted works of men. Now love for God is expressed from the heart without fleshly efforts to earn God's love for us. We are able to have access into the presence of God, and learn from Him what His will for us is that we will act with loving obedience toward Him. The Lord Jesus had no grace nor truth shown toward Him from men. There was no mercy nor justice extended to Him from those in whose hand He held their breath. Peace and righteousness were absent from all the dealings of the religious and political leaders. But none of this stopped the purposes of God. God was totally satisfied with what His Perfect Servant had accomplished. We can confidently tell people of a finished work and a satisfied God.
Joseph of Arimathea asked with urgency for the body of the Lord Jesus, and referred to that body as a whole person. Pilate considered Jesus' body to be only a corpse when he gave Joseph permission to take the body (corpse) of Jesus and bury it. As that stone was rolled to the door of the sepulcher, there was a close to a chapter of religious forms. Now faith is the personal testimony of an individual as to their faith in a Person, the Lord Jesus Christ. God was revealed in a new way through His Gospel of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.
A leader of men said in very few words A truth that must to the world be told. He saw for himself all that went on that day - And declared that Jesus is God. There was no doubt in his mind and never should be In mine nor those to whom the Gospel I tell. Jesus is truly who He said He was - He alone is the Savior from hell.
When the Lord Jesus dismissed His spirit that day- He used the keys He had of death and of life. By deliberately turning the keys of death He had, He brought to an unknowing humanity - light. Because He died for us, we live. He died that we might live through Him. He gave everything He had to give That we might be free from the bondage of sin.
If I had been in the temple that day, I am sure I would have seen great fear. From top to bottom that veil was rent, So that "whosoever" can now draw near To God and know they are welcomed there Because of the death of His Well-Beloved Son. We are able to come right to the presence of God, Because the work of redemption is done.
The stone was rolled to the door by men, But men could not keep the God-Man in. He whose body was laid in that tomb, Was the One who had won victory over sin. To Him a grave is no barrier to life - It is a temporary stop on the road to heaven. We do not need to fear that stopping either, Graves don't hinder the blessing of the forgiven.
"Father, when it comes to describing all the events and impacts of that place and that day, I am at a loss. I think it should be that way. But the blessings that have come from it - may I never cease to speak of to others and praise Thee for it. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."