Matthew 27:45-54
And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.” And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!” So much happened in this scripture but see the reaction of a hardened soldier to the things going on around him. The centurion, tradition records his name as Longinus (though that may or may not be), awakens early in the morning, maybe telling his wife that he would be back after work. "What's happening today?" Longinus probably would not have known, receiving and obeying orders in the moment kept the Roman army mobile and tough, so his answer would have been, "Duty." Little did he know what the day held for him. Later that day he stood, gave orders and perhaps even aided in the crucifixion of a rogue jew from a backwater town. The accusation over his head was "King of the Jews," so basically, sedition. Longinus was not impressed. He had watched over several of those, but "King of the Jews?" Seriously? There was no king but Caesar! Then Longinus was shaken to his core, literally, he witnessed the sky darkening, and the veil of the Jew's temple was reported as torn... top to bottom. Then perhaps his thoughts would have turned to the man hanging on the cross in front of him. This man, hanging on the cross, he had not made the normal pleading deals with Longinus, he hadn't cursed him or Caesar. Who was he!? He wasn't normal! "Surly this was the Son of God!" He had seen things that would change him forever. Have you seen things that need to change in your life? God, our Father in Heaven, gave His only naturally born son as a sacrifice for you. Do you honestly think that God does not know your name? He gave His son FOR YOU. He is watching and waiting for the belief to grow in your life to the point of confession and turning to Him! Come and study to find what He wants to show you and how He can change your life for the better. From now on you can KNOW your state before the Holy Throne and what God's will is for your life. If you are interested in a study to find your place on the path to the cross and the road beyond to Heaven contact us! Hit "Get In Touch" above or if you want to obey the Gospel let's talk now! Call or Text Mike, 706-512-5405 May God continue to bless you in your walk on this earth and keep you from harm.
1 Comment
Emerson Blythe
4/10/2020 07:45:07 am
Amen! --Great thoughts. Thanks!
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