The Centurion's Encounter
The Centurion's Encounter
Luke 23:44-47
44 It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45 while the sun's light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.
47 Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” 48 And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. 49 And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.
44 It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45 while the sun's light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.
47 Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” 48 And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. 49 And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.
The fifth person we meet beneath the cross of Jesus is the Roman Centurion, who famously confesses his faith in Jesus when Jesus dies. If you are familiar with the story, you know this moment is coming. But while familiarity with the Bible is a blessing, it can also be dangerous. It keeps us from hearing the Bible’s message with the freshness and power of someone reading it the first time. The Centurion’s confession should amaze us! It points us to the radical grace of the gospel.
A Story of Grace
Spiritually speaking, the Centurion is an outsider in every way. He’s not a Jew, but a pagan. He does not worship the God of Israel; he burns sacrifices to a pantheon of Roman gods. Morally, he would have been pretty rugged. His language would be coarse. His life had been violent. Luke 13 tells us Pilate ordered a group of soldiers to massacre some Galilean Jews as they worshipped, and then mix their blood with the sacrifices. That’s the kind of thing this guy had been involved with. On this day, he’s dressed Jesus in mock royal robes, beaten him, driven nails into his hands and feet, lifted him up on the cross, stuck a sponge of sour wine in his face, and gambled for his robes while Jesus prayed for them. This is a brutal, profane man. Jews looked forward to God settling the score with guys like this on judgment day.
But when Jesus dies, and the centurion “saw what had taken place,” the light of faith dawns in his heart. He saw the darkness of God’s judgment against sin fall in the middle of the day. He heard Jesus pray for his tormentors, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” He heard Jesus promise to take a dying murderer with him to Paradise. He heard Jesus pray back to God the words of Psalm 31: “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When Jesus breathed his last, God took the temple curtain that separated his holy presence from the rest of the world, and tore it in two from top to bottom, opening up a new and living way for sinners. But lots of people saw and heard these things, and did not believe. Only the centurion “praised God.” That’s a phrase Luke uses when someone recognizes God’s salvation: The shepherds left the manger “praising God” (2:20). The leper Jesus cleansed left “praising God” (17:15) Now, this gritty Roman soldier sees the death of Jesus, and “praises God.” The least likely person there that day believes and is saved!
The Centurion reminds us that it is not what we have, what we’ve done, or what we are that brings us into God’s family. Only the free grace of God, flowing to us through the cross of Jesus Christ, can do that. At the cross, God laid our sin on his innocent Son, so that guilty sinners like us can be counted innocent before him. The darkness of judgment fell on Jesus, so that we can walk in the sunshine of God’s forgiveness. Jesus chose not to save himself, so that he could save us. Jesus tore down the curtain, so that we can step into the presence of a holy God.
But when Jesus dies, and the centurion “saw what had taken place,” the light of faith dawns in his heart. He saw the darkness of God’s judgment against sin fall in the middle of the day. He heard Jesus pray for his tormentors, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” He heard Jesus promise to take a dying murderer with him to Paradise. He heard Jesus pray back to God the words of Psalm 31: “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When Jesus breathed his last, God took the temple curtain that separated his holy presence from the rest of the world, and tore it in two from top to bottom, opening up a new and living way for sinners. But lots of people saw and heard these things, and did not believe. Only the centurion “praised God.” That’s a phrase Luke uses when someone recognizes God’s salvation: The shepherds left the manger “praising God” (2:20). The leper Jesus cleansed left “praising God” (17:15) Now, this gritty Roman soldier sees the death of Jesus, and “praises God.” The least likely person there that day believes and is saved!
The Centurion reminds us that it is not what we have, what we’ve done, or what we are that brings us into God’s family. Only the free grace of God, flowing to us through the cross of Jesus Christ, can do that. At the cross, God laid our sin on his innocent Son, so that guilty sinners like us can be counted innocent before him. The darkness of judgment fell on Jesus, so that we can walk in the sunshine of God’s forgiveness. Jesus chose not to save himself, so that he could save us. Jesus tore down the curtain, so that we can step into the presence of a holy God.
The Controversy of Grace
We should reflect on the fact that the Centurion is saved at the cross, while the upright religious leaders are not. This ironic moment points to an important theme in Luke’s gospel. The people who expect to be included in God’s Kingdom get left out, and the unlikely people who expect to be excluded from God’s Kingdom are welcomed inside. Why? The controversial message of God’s grace.
Luke’s gospel introduces us to many people who assume that they deserve God’s Kingdom, because of their conservative values, Bible knowledge, family heritage, religious devotion, charitable giving, work ethic, and clean moral record. But then Jesus shows up and announces that none of this impresses him. If they want God to receive them, they have to come as sinners depending on God’s free grace. Offended by this, they refuse to come.
At the same time, we meet lots of people who know they don’t deserve God’s Kingdom. Because of their shameful past, their bad habits, their low social standing, their unimpressive appearance. People like this Centurion. But Jesus shows up and shocks them: if they come as sinners depending on God’s free grace, God will welcome them with joy. Thrilled by this, they stampede inside!
The message of God’s grace is controversial. It is either the most offensive thing you’ve ever heard, or the most wonderful thing you’ve ever heard. “Good people” who don’t think they need grace stomp away from Jesus angrily, and are excluded from God’s Kingdom. “Bad people” who know they are desperate for grace run to Jesus gratefully, and are treated as honored guests in God’s Kingdom.
Luke’s gospel introduces us to many people who assume that they deserve God’s Kingdom, because of their conservative values, Bible knowledge, family heritage, religious devotion, charitable giving, work ethic, and clean moral record. But then Jesus shows up and announces that none of this impresses him. If they want God to receive them, they have to come as sinners depending on God’s free grace. Offended by this, they refuse to come.
At the same time, we meet lots of people who know they don’t deserve God’s Kingdom. Because of their shameful past, their bad habits, their low social standing, their unimpressive appearance. People like this Centurion. But Jesus shows up and shocks them: if they come as sinners depending on God’s free grace, God will welcome them with joy. Thrilled by this, they stampede inside!
The message of God’s grace is controversial. It is either the most offensive thing you’ve ever heard, or the most wonderful thing you’ve ever heard. “Good people” who don’t think they need grace stomp away from Jesus angrily, and are excluded from God’s Kingdom. “Bad people” who know they are desperate for grace run to Jesus gratefully, and are treated as honored guests in God’s Kingdom.
The Question of Grace
The grace of the cross confronts us with a question: what do you think you deserve from God?
Hell is full of people who are sure they deserve to be in Heaven, and Heaven is full of people who are sure they deserve to be in hell.
On this Good Friday, Jesus invites us to confess our need for his grace, and to joyfully receive his grace. He calls you to take your place among those who know they ought to be excluded—alongside sinful women of the city, crooked tax collectors, murdering thieves, and profane Roman soldiers. By grace, we can join this ragged group of happy, humble, undeserving sinners, following Jesus through the torn curtain into his Father’s house, to the joyful feast he has prepared for us.
Hell is full of people who are sure they deserve to be in Heaven, and Heaven is full of people who are sure they deserve to be in hell.
On this Good Friday, Jesus invites us to confess our need for his grace, and to joyfully receive his grace. He calls you to take your place among those who know they ought to be excluded—alongside sinful women of the city, crooked tax collectors, murdering thieves, and profane Roman soldiers. By grace, we can join this ragged group of happy, humble, undeserving sinners, following Jesus through the torn curtain into his Father’s house, to the joyful feast he has prepared for us.
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Article by Eric Smith
Senior Pastor, Sharon Baptist Church
Senior Pastor, Sharon Baptist Church
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