We are continuing the series “Beneath the Cross of Jesus”, which is a series of biographical sermons where we look at the faces of the people who were present when Jesus was dying on the cross.
Our first face was of Barabbas, the face of fortune. Barabbas deserved to die. But in the providence of God, Jesus took the place of Barabbas so this great truth of the gospel might be revealed.
Romans 5:8 NIV But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Then we looked into the face favor, the face of Simon of Cyrene
Simon may have felt that being forced to carry Jesus’ cross was the worst thing that could happen to him, but it soon became his greatest blessing. It changed his life and the life of his family.
Then we looked into the face of failure…the face of Simon Peter.
Jesus knew that Peter would fail in denying him. Peter’s failure came as no shock to Jesus. He didn’t just see him for what he was; He saw him for what he would be and the same is true even when we fail.
Three weeks ago we looked into the face of faithfulness, the face of John. As with John the reward of our faithfulness to Jesus is His approval and His trust.
Two weeks ago we looked into Judas’ face, the face of folly. We talked about his decision, his actions and his destiny.
Last week we looked into the face of forgiveness, into the face of the thief on the cross who became the unexpected saint.
Today we will look into the face of faith, into the face of the unnamed Centurion who made this confession “This man truly was the Son of God!
Scripture Reading:
Matthew 27:45-56 NLT [45] At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. [46] At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” [47] Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah. [48] One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a reed stick so he could drink. [49] But the rest said, “Wait! Let’s see whether Elijah comes to save him.” [50] Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. [51] At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, [52] and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead. [53] They left the cemetery after Jesus’ resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people. [54] The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, “This man truly was the Son of God!” [55] And many women who had come from Galilee with Jesus to care for him were watching from a distance. [56] Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James and Joseph), and the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee.
Introduction
Today, we are continuing the series “Beneath the Cross of Jesus”, where we look at the faces of the people who were present when Jesus was dying on the cross. We have one more face to look into after today.
Our first face was of Barabbas, the face of fortune. Barabbas deserved to die. But in the providence of God, Jesus took the place of Barabbas so this great truth of the gospel might be revealed.
Romans 5:8 NIV But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Then we looked into the face favor, the face of Simon of Cyrene
Simon may have felt that being forced to carry Jesus’ cross was the worst thing that could happen to him, but it soon became his greatest blessing. It changed his life and the life of his family.
Then we looked into the face of failure…the face of Simon Peter.
Jesus knew that Peter would fail in denying him. Peter’s failure came as no shock to Jesus. He didn’t just see him for what he was; He saw him for what he would be and the same is true even when we fail.
Three weeks ago we looked into the face of faithfulness, the face of John. As with John the reward of our faithfulness to Jesus is His approval and His trust.
Two weeks ago we looked into Judas’ face, the face of folly. We talked about his decision, his actions and his destiny.
Last week we looked into the face of forgiveness, into the face of the thief on the cross who became the unexpected saint.
Today we will look into the face of faith, into the face of the unnamed Centurion who made this confession “This man truly was the Son of God!
Here’s our Text:
Matthew 27:54 NLT [54] The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, “This man truly was the Son of God!
This Roman officer was a Centurion. Centurions represented the best of Roman men. They rose through the ranks to become commanders over one hundred men. Centurions were considered the best soldiers in the Roman army and were promoted for their exemplary service. Centurions were expected to lead by example, coordinate their troop’s actions, and be strict commanders of their subordinates.
This unnamed centurion, that we are talking about today, witnessed the climactic events connected with Jesus’ death. He may have been at the arrest and the trial; but we certainly know that he was at the cross. What he saw and heard obviously had a profound effect on him.
Just after the earthquake at Jesus’ death, the centurion confessed, “Truly this was the Son of God.”
This man, this Centurion at this moment became a man of faith in Jesus Christ. This is the confession that God wants to hear from each of us.
If we look closely at this “face of faith” beneath the cross, perhaps we, too, can join him in his confession.
Romans 10:9-10 NLT [9] If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.
The evidence for faith.
This noble man, the Centurion changed his mind about Jesus in a relatively short time. He initially set out to help the Jews rid themselves of a nuisance but soon confessed the nuisance to be none other than the Son of God. What is the evidence that changed his mind?
A. Maybe it was the way Christ handled His suffering.
Jesus went through intense abuse. He had been harassed, beaten, mocked, whipped, spat on, and now crucified. But not once did He ever lose his poise, not once did He lose His cool or react in anger.
The Romans were known for their efficiency in crucifixions. These soldiers led by this Centurion, likely would have been a detachment assigned to such crucifictions tasks, and were accustomed to the brutality.
Even as the soldiers nailed him to the cross, he was meek and submissive. The Gospels don't specify the exact type of nail, but they were likely heavy iron nails meant to hold the weight of the body. There's debate on whether the nails were driven through the wrists or palms, and the feet through the instep or ankles. Either way, it would have been excruciatingly painful.
But He prayed: “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.
Luke 23:34 NLT Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.
Jesus, even while enduring the crucifixion, utters words of forgiveness for those who are inflicting this pain on him. This act of forgiveness is a powerful message in Christianity, demonstrating Jesus's divine love and compassion even in the face of immense suffering.
Observing Jesus’ behavior must have given the centurion a strange feeling. What kind of man was this? Surely he must be more than human!
B. Or maybe it was Christ’s love for his enemies.
The people relentlessly hurled insults and accusations at Jesus even as he died. But he responded to their ridicule with love by praying, “Father, forgive them.” He was concerned about the welfare of the crowd who was crucifying him. What amazing love!
The crowd’s hatred for Jesus was obvious. A couple of weeks ago we described the crowd as a mob.
Luke 23:23-25 MSG! But they kept at it, a shouting mob, demanding that he be crucified. And finally they shouted him down. Pilate caved in and gave them what they wanted. He released the man thrown in prison for rioting and murder, (Barabbas) and gave them Jesus to do whatever they wanted.
Jesus’ attitude must have impressed the centurion and made him wonder about the judgment of the crowd and Pilate. How could someone with such love deserve to die?
Pontius Pilate, wrestled with the decision of Jesus's fate.
After questioning Jesus, Pilate found no grounds for a death sentence
John 18:38 NLT [38] “What is truth?” Pilate asked. Then he went out again to the people and told them, “He is not guilty of any crime.
Pilate tried various methods to release Jesus:
Offering to release him as a customary act of mercy during Passover
John 18:39-40 NLT [39] But you have a custom of asking me to release one prisoner each year at Passover. Would you like me to release this ‘King of the Jews’?” [40] But they shouted back, “No! Not this man. We want Barabbas!” (Barabbas was a revolutionary.)
He tried sending Jesus to Herod Antipas, another ruler, hoping he would handle the situation
Luke 23:6-12 NLT [6] “Oh, is he a Galilean?” Pilate asked. [7] When they said that he was, Pilate sent him to Herod Antipas, because Galilee was under Herod’s jurisdiction, and Herod happened to be in Jerusalem at the time. [8] Herod was delighted at the opportunity to see Jesus, because he had heard about him and had been hoping for a long time to see him perform a miracle. [9] He asked Jesus question after question, but Jesus refused to answer. [10] Meanwhile, the leading priests and the teachers of religious law stood there shouting their accusations. [11] Then Herod and his soldiers began mocking and ridiculing Jesus. Finally, they put a royal robe on him and sent him back to Pilate. [12] (Herod and Pilate, who had been enemies before, became friends that day.)
Ordering Jesus to be flogged as punishment, hoping the crowd would be satisfied
John 19:1-4 NLT [1] Then Pilate had Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip. [2] The soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they put a purple robe on him. [3] “Hail! King of the Jews!” they mocked, as they slapped him across the face. [4] Pilate went outside again and said to the people, “I am going to bring him out to you now, but understand clearly that I find him not guilty.”
However, the Jewish leaders pressured Pilate, accusing Jesus of blasphemy and rebellion against Roman authority
John 19:12 NLT [12] Then Pilate tried to release him, but the Jewish leaders shouted, “If you release this man, you are no ‘friend of Caesar.’ Anyone who declares himself a king is a rebel against Caesar.”
This threat, fearing repercussions from the Roman emperor, ultimately swayed Pilate.
Despite finding no guilt in Jesus, Pilate ultimately handed him over to be crucified.
John 19:16 NLT Then Pilate turned Jesus over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus away.
C. Or maybe it was that fact that some strange things happened that day.
Even though it was high noon, there was no sun to be seen. As The centurion stood near the cross during the darkness, he heard Jesus exclaim, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me
Matthew 27:45-46 NLT [45] At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. [46] At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”
About three o’clock Jesus died.
At that time the whole countryside began to shake with an earthquake.
Matthew 27:47-53 NLT [47] Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah. [48] One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a reed stick so he could drink. [49] But the rest said, “Wait! Let’s see whether Elijah comes to save him.” [50] Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. [51] At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, [52] and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead. [53] They left the cemetery after Jesus’ resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people.
The centurion must have believed that there was a connection between Jesus’ death and the earthquake. He must have thought surely he was not a criminal!
D. Or maybe it was the way that Christ died.
The centurion had no doubt seen many deaths in the course of his duty. He knew that death by crucifixion followed a certain pattern.
Crucifixion was designed to be a slow and agonizing form of execution. Here's how it typically led to death:
Suffocation: The primary cause of death was likely suffocation. With arms outstretched and body weight on the wrists or palms, inhaling became difficult. To exhale fully, the crucified person had to push up on their legs, causing excruciating pain in the nailed feet or ankles. This exhaustion and the inability to breathe properly led to suffocation over time.
Exhaustion: The position on the cross put immense strain on the muscles, especially those used for breathing. The constant struggle to breathe and the pain from the wounds would have led to extreme exhaustion, hastening death.
Pain-induced Shock: The intense and prolonged pain from the nails, blood loss, and tissue damage could have triggered hypovolemic shock, a life-threatening condition where the body isn't getting enough blood flow.
Dehydration: Exposed to the elements for hours or days, the crucified person would become severely dehydrated, further weakening their condition.
The exact timeframe of death varied depending on factors like the victim's physical condition, the weather, and whether their legs were broken to speed up suffocation (a practice sometimes used by the Romans). It could take anywhere from a few hours to several days.
But Jesus’ death was different. In his last moments, Jesus cried out, “It is finished.” It was like a shout of triumph.
John 19:28-30 NLT [28] Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty.” [29] A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. [30] When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Luke described it like this
Luke 23:44-46 NLT [44] By this time it was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. [45] The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. [46] Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last.
He died as though he was the one in charge. He died with a trust in God.
The evidence was just too much for the Roman. He knew in his heart that this man was more than a man. So he exclaimed, “Truly this was the Son of God.”
We have even more evidence than the centurion, because we know of the glorious resurrection and continued work of Jesus.
A. The act of confession.
The centurion’s confession itself reveals faith. It is one thing to have some impressions in your heart but another thing to verbalize those impressions. True faith leads to confession. If you have never confessed, your faith could be in question.
B. The substance of the confession.
What the centurion confessed is real evidence. He confessed the righteous character of Jesus, contradicting the judgment of the world. What a strong confession!
The centurion also confessed the uniqueness of Christ: “Truly this was the Son ofGod.” Scholars still debate how much the centurion actually understood, and whether or not he meant to acknowledge the deity of Christ. Without trying to make a theologian out of the centurion, let’s accept his confession for what it says. He had come to believe in the uniqueness of Christ. He had come to believe that Christ was the Son of God.
Conclusion
The confession of the centurion at the foot of the cross holds great significance for several reasons:
He was an Unexpected Witness: The centurion, a Roman soldier overseeing the execution, wasn’t the first person to recognize Jesus's divinity; this confession coming from a pagan official highlights the universality of Jesus's message and the impact of his actions.
Confirmation of Jesus's Identity: The centurion's declaration, "Truly this man was the Son of God!" validates Jesus's claims about his own identity. Here, a witness directly affected by the brutality acknowledges Jesus's divinity.
Openness to Faith: The centurion's confession demonstrates that faith can be found in unexpected places. Even amidst violence and a harsh environment, the centurion is open to a higher power at work.
Salvation for All: This event foreshadows the spread of Christianity beyond the Jewish people. The centurion, a Gentile, recognizes Jesus's significance, showing that Jesus's message is for all humanity.
The significance of the Centurion’s confession extends beyond the narrative itself. The centurion's confession serves as an inspiration for Christians, reminding them that faith can be found in unexpected places and that God's grace can touch anyone.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
As we reflect on the profound faith of the centurion at the foot of the cross, we are humbled. Here stood a man hardened by war and violence, a man of duty. Yet, witnessing the suffering of your Son, Jesus Christ, something shifted within him. The darkness, the cries, the earthquake – these all spoke of something far greater than a mere execution.
In that moment, the centurion recognized your Son for who He truly was: the Son of God. His simple confession, "Truly this Man was the Son of God!" echoes through the ages, a testament to the power of your grace to touch even the most unexpected hearts.
Lord, grant us that same openness. May we see the world not just with our eyes, but with hearts open to your presence. May the events of the cross be a constant reminder of your immense love and sacrifice for us.
We confess our shortcomings, our times of doubt and indifference. Forgive us, Father. Grant us the faith of the centurion, a faith that sees beyond the physical and recognizes the divine.
We pray for those who are searching, for those who feel lost. Draw them close to your light, Father. Let them experience the transformative power of your love, just as the centurion did.
In the precious name of Jesus Christ, we pray.
Amen.
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