THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 15:37-41
“Surely this man was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:39)
This Roman centurion does not have a deep understanding of ‘Son of God’ theology.
A ‘son of God’ was a chip off the old block, someone that was just like their father.
He sees everything that happens to Jesus, and hears what He says from the cross.
Based on what he sees and hears, he concludes, “Surely this was a righteous man.” (Luke 23:47)
Jesus is the kind of human God created us to be, like Adam was supposed to be (Luke 3:38).
Human sin resulted in a barrier between humanity and God (Genesis 3:22-24).
This barrier was was symbolized in the temple by a curtain that NO ONE could go behind.
Only once a year a high priest symbolically went behind it to make an offering for sin.
It is our sin that keeps us disconnected from God, separate from the source of life.
But Jesus is a righteous (sinless) man, a ‘Son of God’ like Adam before his fall.
The centurion did not know this, he only saw the goodness of the man that died.
But in this moment, the crisis of the fall into sin in Genesis 3 is reversed.
The verdict “you shall certainly die” (Genesis 2:17) is fulfilled, sin is dealt with.
Because of Jesus, the barrier is removed, and those “watching at a distance” (v.40) can come near.
“In Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” (Ephesians 2:13)
As sad as Jesus’ dying is, this is a good day, for the curse of sin and death has been lifted.
Thank God that Jesus was the Son of God, a righteous Adam, the serpent-crushing Messiah (Genesis 3:15).
Today we remember the death of Jesus, and declare by faith, ‘surely, this man is the Son of God!’
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, help me to appreciate the huge blessing that comes from Your life, Your death and Your resurrection. May I not stand at a distance from You, but may I draw near by faith, in hope, with love!