We know that the Romans crucified thousands of people and ruled with an iron fist.  

We know that the Roman Empire was one of the greatest empires in human history.  

We know that the Roman Soldier knew how to fight, how to conquer, how to rule, and how to execute.

 

And execute Jesus they did.

Condemned from an unfair trial.

Beaten nearly to death.

Forced to carry the instrument that would be used to kill Him.

Exposed to a brutality that would break the strongest of men.

Jesus…hung on the cross and WILLINGLY endured it.

 

Even in death, Jesus preached.  And He preached to a man who was surrounded by death—perhaps even callous to it.  

 

To preach to a Roman Centurion was quite a feat.  Roman Centurions were in charge of 100 men.  They were chosen for size, strength, military prowess, and for leadership.  They were leaders of men who faced life and death and led others to survive, even excel, in life and death circumstances.

 

Mark 15   39 And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”

 

As you talk to God today, remember who you are and where you stand.

 

Jesus was accepted and followed by many, and they were not one small strata of society.  They were wide-ranging and not confined by economics, culture, religion, nationality, gender, age, or any other human description.  His followers were diverse.

 

Today, we focus on Mark 15:39.

 

Today, we focus on the battle tested, blood thirsty warrior…..the man who was not “supposed” to be in Jesus’ ministry.

 

Today, we focus on the man who had probably seen thousands die…as he stood and witnessed mockery, and insults, and the death he had seen again and again and again.

 

But on this day…he said:  “Surely this man was the son of God.”

 

We can make many claims about Jesus.

 

But the claim I make today is this:

No man has ever been more DIVERSE in His call.

He calls the African, the woman, the child, the elite, the broken…

He calls the cowboy, the King, the servant, the diplomat…

He calls the plumber, the teacher, the administrator, the slave…

 

And all can answer.

 

Lift Your Eyes Up And Look To The Cross.

The centurion in Mark 15 looked…

And saw that what He was missing was the very thing he had never looked at…

 

Lift Your Eyes Up.

Answer The Call.

 

In The Name of the Father and the 

Son and the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

 

Bebo Norman

I Will Lift My Eyes

To The Maker

Of The Mountains I Can’t Climb

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-KKy5UIUpY

 

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Coach J