Introduction
What a bleak, wretched scene it must have been that day outside Jerusalem at Galgothia! Which is actually the cities garabage dump. when the Lord Jesus gave His life to save our souls.
It was a day when all of Hell was unleashed against Jesus.
It was a day when those who should have been His friends saw to it that He was put to death.
It was a day when most of His Own disciples left Him to die in agony on that cross.
It was a day of horror!
It was a day that will live in infamy for all of eternity!
Yet, it is one of the greatest days that dawned since time began. For on that day, our Savior died for our sins!
Jesus died as an innocent Lamb so that you and I might go free!
He died to save sinners! And, friend, He was surely surrounded by them that day!
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Palm Sunday! The day Christ rode into the city to fulfill the prophecy written in Zech 9:9
Week 4 of 7 MM - Today I want to talk about a man that was at the cross of Christ.
In that crowd that surrounded His cross that day were sinners, criminals, soldiers, religious people, family and a few friends.
In that crowd were two special men. One was a criminal who had come to the skull to be put to death.
The other was a Roman Centurion who had come to Calvary that day to put men to death.
Before that day was over, both of these men would be new creatures, glorious saved by the grace and the sacrifice of the One dying on that middle cross.
I know why the thief was compelled to believe. But, have you ever thought about what it was that convinced the Centurion?
Something he saw or heard that day was used of the Spirit of God to touch his heart and to bring him into a saving relationship with God.
Many have speculated by what this Roman solider ment. Was this a confession of faith or was he trying to define something outside the scope of his experience?
I personally believe the answer is in the context.
Oblivously this gruff solider was deeply moved by the events he wittnessed, and the decerlation of deity that followed wht he experienced.
We need to consider a couple of things to fully grasp the magintude of the centurions words.
The evidence aganist this decerlation and the evidence in support of this decerlation.
The evidence aganist was certainly strong!
a) A strong condemation from Jewish leaders wanting Jesus deads b/c He claimed to the Son of God. Pontius Pilot helped make this claim and was this soliders commander.
But, still the centurion rejects this comendation and affirms Jesus
B) Looking at the evidence in support of this decerlation, we must remember this man had supervised countless crucifxions. Yet, something was extroidarny different about the particular exeicution !
What was it?
I.) Was It His Composure? (v. 32-33)
A. The Bible tells us that Jesus went to the cross to suffer and die as the Lamb of God,
Rev. 13:8
But, it also relates that He went to the cross as meek as a lamb goes to be slaughtered, Isa. 53:7.
? What He could have done that day! He didn't! He died so that we might live!
? Jesus concern was for their forgivness not His own escape.
This Centurion had seen countless men die by crucifixion. Most of them were probably like the two thieves who were crucified with Jesus that day. Most died cussing and screaming in agony. He had never seen anyone die like Jesus died!
Something about the way Jesus conducted Himself that day touched this man's hard heart.
Is your heart convinced?
II.) Was It His Cross? (v. 33)
? The brutality of the cross!
However, the Bible would lead us to believe that Jesus may have suffered more than others, Isa. 52:14.
? All they had put Jesus through before the cross: Scourging, Beating, Spitting, Several Trials, even the whole band of soldiers (some 400 - 600) played their games with Him, Mark 15:16-19.
Perhaps this man had never seen another in such sad shape when he was crucified.
Maybe it was the sign that hung over His cross, Luke 23:38. This sign proclaimed Jesus to be the Jewish King. It inferred that He was the Messiah.
It may have been the cross that moved him, we just do not know. However, let me ask you this: Does His cross still move you?
? Often we get moved by the wrong things! His death for us on the cross should move us to love Him and to worship Him with all of our hearts!
III.) Was It His Compassion? (v. 34, 39-43)
While Jesus was dying on the cross, He exhibited His grace and love by showing
compassion for the needs of others in the hour of His Own greatest need.
? He Showed Compassion To The Crowds - During His hours on the cross, Jesus reached out to those around Him in the crowd.
The crowds around the cross mocked Him, ridiculed Him and tormented Him even as He died. Yet, He did not condemn them. He did not rebuke them. When He opened His mouth, it was to pray for them, v. 34! What grace!
He even took time in His dying hour to provide for the needs of His mother, Mary, John 19:26-27. He loved her and made sure she would be cared for after His departure.
? He Showed Compassion To The Criminal - v. 39-43 - When this man, who just moments before had joined the other thief in mocking Jesus, asked for help concerning his spiritual condition, Jesus reached out to him in grace, love and compassion. He promised this thief salvation. Which, after all, was the reason for the cross in the first place, John 18:37, Mark 10:45.
What drew this man to Jesus?, Jesus has a tender heart for the fallen! ? Matt. 11:28; Rom. 10:13 - He opens the door to “all who will”! That lets me in and that keeps me in too!
IV). Was It His Cries? (v. 34, 43, 46)
The Gospel writers record for us that on seven occasions Jesus opened His mouth and spoke while He was on the cross.
? How difficulty this would have been for any man! Thus revealing the importance of these utterances.
Three of them are recorded here by Luke. Allow me to take a moment to run through all 7.
Just b/c Luke doesn't record them all, dosen't mean the Centurion did'nt heard them all!
1. The Cry Of Love - Luke 23:34
2. The Cry Of Forgiveness - Luke 23:43
3. The Cry Of Fulfillment - Matt. 27:46
4. The Cry Of Provision - John 19:26-27
5. The Cry Of Agony - John 19:28
6. The Cry Of Victory - John 19:30
7. The Cry Of Departure - Luke 23:46
Surely, these statements from the Lord Jesus moved the heart of this soldier! Surely as he heard the words of the dying Christ, his heart was stirred and he realized that this was more than a man dying here. Perhaps that is why he proclaimed the fact that Jesus Christ was the Son of God - Matt. 27:54; Mark 15:39.
Conclusion
As I bring these thoughts to a close, we are left to ask ourselves: are we convinced? Has there been a moment in my life when I was confronted with and convinced of the truth of Who Jesus Christ is? When that moment came, did I place saving faith in Him? This Centurion was saved because he trusted! Have you trusted in Jesus?
PRAYER
God, this is a moment for you to bring forth out of brokeness from your Cross amazing glory, amazing purpose, amazing grace.
I have spoken today to the the hard hearted centurions, I ask you in this moment to prick and melt hard cold hearts.
I thank you, Lord, that everybody under the sound of my voice right now is going to survive the cries, pain, and torture they are in because you have compassion for them, because you hear their cries, You Lord live to make intercession, because you are our Lamb, Jesus. We Love you Jesus ! Right now stirr the hearts of these people.
Declare this over your life Right Now
I am Loved
I am forgiven
I am being filled
I will have provision
He hears my agony
I will see a victory
I am departing all and following Jesus
