And that is one of the ironies of the whole event. ![]() Far from blinding him, the Cross became the paradigm for seeing. Mark tells us that a lone Roman Centurion watched closely the workings of God. That is, if God can split open Jewish sacred space, then a Roman Centurion’s heart and mind can be opened to see God’s world. If God can tear the veil in the Temple, He can rend a Roman soldier’s understanding of a dying Christ. The behavior of the thieves on either side of Jesus was all too familiar, as they mocked and ridiculed Jesus as He hung between them. From their crosses he had heard them shout curses to men below and blasphemies to God above. He had heard countless men scream in agony while being whipped and plead for their lives before Pilate. Most of them who were sentenced to be crucified were criminals, brigands, thieves, and murderers. Having seen so many crucifixions, the Roman Centurion knew what to expect from his prisoners. He is mentioned, not for his cruelty, ruthlessness or ability as a soldier, but for something-for a marvelous transformation that occurred immediately after the death of one of his prisoners. This Roman Centurion is mentioned in three of the four Gospel accounts. He would have given the order to proceed with the crucifixion. He would have been nearby when his men dressed Jesus in a robe, pressed a crown of thorns onto His head and walked Him to Golgotha. He would have ordered his men to beat Jesus, caring little for who He was, knowing Him only to be just another in a long line of people he was commanded to execute. This man would have accompanied Jesus from the time the Jewish leaders brought Him to the Praetorium. He may even have been present with the detachment of soldiers that aided in Jesus’ arrest the night of His betrayal. It is most likely that this man was present from the time Jesus was brought to Pilate right until the Lord’s body was lowered from the cross and given to Joseph of Arimathea. He had, in all likelihood, presided over the crucifixion of hundreds or even thousands of men and must have become insensitive to the agony these men endured. We know little about the man except that he was probably a hardened soldier and a veteran of so many wars and conflicts during that time. This man was a Roman Centurion, the commander of over 100 soldiers in the Roman army. In the Bible we are given a glimpse of a man who was present during Jesus’ crucifixion. ![]() 37 And Jesus cried with a loud voice and gave up the ghost.ģ8 And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.ģ9 And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.”
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