July 14, 2023

SOMETHING HAPPENED

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

When the Roman officer who stood facing him saw how he had died, he exclaimed, “This man truly was the Son of God!”

Mark 15:39 NLT

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TODAY’S THOUGHT

As I reflect on the people at the cross of Jesus, this Roman officer stands out. He is not a Jew; he is a Gentile Roman officer. He is a leader of 100 Roman soldiers. His position at the cross would indicate that his role in life was to play the part of the executioner. He and his men had probably witnessed hundreds of crucifixions. They were hardened, callous men. Their emotions had to be buried deep inside to survive the emotional toll of their ugly work. I imagine a crusty soldier who had seen it all and felt nothing. The cries of desperation, pain, and death didn’t move this old soldier. It was all part of a day’s work. But this day was different. Maybe it was the sudden, unexplainable darkness. Maybe it was the man asking God to forgive those who had nailed him to that cross. Maybe it was the man promising forgiveness to a criminal dying with him. Something was very different about this man on the middle cross. When the officer heard Jesus declare, “It is finished,” something broke on his inside. He realized there was something different about this man. This Roman officer is touched by the way this man chose to die. The translation of his declaration is unclear as to whether it was an actual confession of faith in Jesus as the Son of God or whether it simply meant he acknowledged Jesus as a son of God. Regardless of the original meaning of the words from the officer it is obvious he was moved by something he witnessed. In that moment something happened inside of a crusty Roman officer. When we encounter Jesus, everything changes within us. When we allow ourselves to look honestly at His life and death, we should be moved with a fresh revelation of Who Jesus really is. We should be moved to place our faith in Jesus as the Son of God Who died for the sins of the world. Jesus is the One Who Died for you and me.

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TODAY’S PRAYER

Lord Jesus today I give You thanks and declare that You are the Son of God. You died and rose again to pay the price for my sins. Through Your death and resurrection, I have life. I am forgiven. I am free.

“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”