Well, good morning, everyone.
Could I welcome you to this service of worship
and to any who may be joining the service
through the YouTube link.
Let us worship God by singing to his praise
from Psalm 99A, page 130 of the Psalter.
The Lord reigns from his throne on high.
Let all the nations quake.
He sits between the cherubim.
So let the whole earth shake.
Great is the Lord on Zion Hill, exalted over all.
Upon his great and holy name, let all the nations call.
The King loves truth and equity, established by his might.
In Jacob, you have done for us all that is just and right.
Exalt the Lord our God with us.
Let all the world abroad before his footstool worship him.
For holy is the Lord.
Let us sing these verses.
The Lord reigns from his throne on high.
Let all the nations quake.
He sits between the cherubim.
So let the whole earth shake.
Great is the Lord on Zion Hill, exalted over all.
Upon his great and holy name.
Let all the nations call.
The King loves truth and equity, established by his might.
In Jacob, you have done for us all that is just and right.
Exalt the Lord our God with us.
Let all the world abroad before his footstool worship him.
For holy is the Lord.
Let us engage in prayer.
Almighty God, we thank thee for the opening words of the psalm that we have newly sung.
Let us pray.
Words that remind us that thou art a sovereign God.
That thou art a sovereign king.
The Lord reigns.
And that thou art a holy king.
Holy with a transcendent holiness.
Holy in your righteousness.
Holy in your grace.
Holy in your righteousness.
Holy in your grace.
Oh, may we be found today acknowledging and bowing down before the holiness of our sovereign God.
It prompted praise on the part of the seraphim.
Who beheld the holiness of almighty God.
As they went to and fro proclaiming.
That God is indeed holy.
Holy, holy, holy.
That your holiness sets you apart from all your creatures.
Grant, O Lord, that we may come into thy presence today with that sense of awe and reverential fear.
In the knowledge that we are in the presence of our trice holy God.
May we come upon the knees of our heart.
Lord, that we are in the presence of our heart before thee.
Acknowledging with thy servant of old.
That we are of unclean lips.
Just as thy servant felt.
When he came before the holiness of God.
In the vision that was granted to him.
When he saw the Lord high and lifted up in the temple.
O Lord, we thank thee.
That with a holy God there is forgiveness.
That with a holy God there is cleansing.
That thou hast made provision.
For sinners to draw near to thee.
Grant thy blessing upon us as we reflect on a part of thy truth today.
Blessed richly to our hearts.
May it reach into our innermost being.
And may our lives be gripped by the power of the truth.
So that we come in truth to serve the Christ of God.
To be joyous subjects of the sovereign king.
Who reigns supremely over the affairs of men.
Although there may be much.
In a world that is beyond our understanding.
Much that we find deeply mysterious.
Yet, O Lord, we draw comfort from this fact.
That the Lord reigns.
Grant most gracious God.
That our hope and confidence.
Might be placed today and every day.
In the Lord who reigns.
So that as we come before thee today.
We may not be despondent or downcast.
But uplifted by the thought.
That thou art reigning.
And that thy will.
Is being performed.
And that nothing but nothing can thwart.
The will of the reigning sovereign king.
That your will will always win out.
Despite every.
Every hostility and enmity.
That is aroused by the forces of darkness.
In seeking to thwart the will.
Of the reigning sovereign king.
We bless thy name that this is so.
Grant thy blessing.
We pray thee on each home and family.
As we are found before thee today.
Thou knowest the needs of each and all.
Thou knowest those who may be here.
With heavy burdens.
With crushing burdens.
Thou knowest those who may be here today.
Looking for a token for good.
That they belong to those.
Those who are indeed the subjects of the sovereign king.
And who rejoice in his reign.
Grant thy blessing upon them.
We pray for any who may be mourning the loss of loved ones.
And to her today.
The burden of sorrow.
As they mourn the passing of those dear to them.
We know of some.
Who have that burden.
Some who came face to face.
Unexpectedly with that.
With that burden of sorrow.
As they came face to face.
With what?
Perhaps they didn't want to hear.
As those whom they loved in life.
Were taken unexpectedly from them.
With that burden of sorrow.
Comfort them.
We pray thee.
With the comfort.
That alone is able.
To reach into distraught hearts and lives.
When death removes.
A member of a family.
Unexpectedly.
As often death comes.
We pray thy blessing.
For those who may be under thine hand in illness.
Confined to their homes.
Or in hospital care.
Or in residential care.
Grant, O Lord, thy blessing on each and all.
According to their needs.
And bless those who are providing care for them.
We give thee thanks.
For all who are involved in the care system.
Doctors and nurses.
Care assistants.
All who provide.
For those unable to provide for themselves.
O grant, O Lord.
That we be mindful.
Of those who are involved.
In the care system.
The burdens that they bear.
The duties that evolve upon them.
The responsibilities that are theirs.
Help them to fulfill these responsibilities.
As they daily carry out their tasks.
Help us now as we turn to thy truth.
Bless the other section of the congregation.
And thy servant.
As he engages in the act of worship.
In the Gaelic language.
Grant thy blessing upon them.
Uphold and sustain them.
We pray thee.
In the duties that evolve upon them.
Bless all who go forth in thy name.
And to the ends of the earth.
Bless, we pray thee.
The Slavic Gospel members.
Who are carrying out deputation work.
We give thee thanks for their commitment.
For their zeal.
For their enthusiasm.
And for the encouraging reports.
That they have brought to us.
We pray that thou wouldst bless them today.
In the particular duties that evolve upon them.
Wherever they are preaching.
The unsearchable riches of Christ.
Cleanse in the blood.
In Jesus name we ask it with forgiveness of sin.
Amen.
Let us now read from the New Testament.
From the Gospel according to Mark.
Chapter 15.
And at verse 21.
And they compelled a passerby.
Simon of Cyrene.
Who was coming in from the country.
The father of Alexander and Rufus.
To carry his cross.
And they brought him to the place called Golgotha.
Which means place of a skull.
And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh.
But he did not take it.
And they crucified him.
And divided his garments among them.
Casting lots for them.
To decide what it should take.
And it was the third hour.
When they crucified him.
And the inscription of the charge against him.
Read.
The king of the Jews.
And with him they crucified two robbers.
One on his right.
And one on his left.
And those who passed by derided him.
Waking their heads.
And saying.
Aha.
You who would destroy the temple.
And rebuild it in three days.
Save yourself.
And come down from the cross.
So also the chief priests with the scribes.
Mocked him to one another.
And saying.
He saved others.
He cannot save himself.
Let the Christ.
The king of Israel.
Come down now from the cross.
That we may see and believe.
Those who were crucified with him.
Also reviled him.
When the sixth hour had come.
There was darkness over the whole land.
Until the ninth hour.
And at the ninth hour.
Jesus cried with a loud voice.
Eli.
Eli lama sabachthani.
Which means.
My God.
Why have you forsaken me?
And some of the bystanders.
Hearing it said.
Behold.
He is calling Elijah.
And someone ran.
And filled a sponge.
With sour wine.
Put it on a reed.
And gave it to him to drink.
Saying.
Wait.
Let us see.
Whether Elijah will come.
To take him down.
And Jesus uttered.
A loud cry.
And breathed.
And breathed his last.
And the curtain of the temple.
Was torn in two.
From top to bottom.
And when the centurion.
Who stood facing him.
Saw that in this way.
He breathed his last.
He said.
Truly.
This man.
Was the son of God.
There were also women.
Looking on from a distance.
The Christians.
Among whom were.
Mary Magdalene.
And Mary.
The mother of James.
The younger.
And of.
Joseph.
And Salome.
When he was in Galilee.
They followed him.
And ministered to him.
And there were also.
Many other women.
Who came up with him.
To Jerusalem.
Amen.
And may he bless to us.
That reading.
From his truth.
Let us further sing to his praise.
From.
Psalm 22.
Page 26.
Of the.
Psalter.
At verse 14.
Page 26.
Of the.
Psalter.
At verse 14.
And the tune is.
Rockingham.
Apologies to the presenter.
I forgot to.
Mention the tune.
For the first song.
Psalm 22.
Page 26.
At verse 14.
Like water.
I am emptied out.
And all my bones.
Are torn apart.
My inmost being.
Melts away.
And into wax.
Is turned my heart.
My strength.
Is like.
Shattered clay.
And these verses.
Apply particularly.
To the Lord Jesus.
On the cross.
And as I fight.
To draw my breath.
My tongue.
Is sticking.
To my jaws.
You lay me.
In the dust of death.
A pack of dogs.
Encloses me.
Their circle.
Round me.
Is complete.
I am beset.
By evil men.
And they have pierced.
My hands.
And feet.
I count the number.
Of my bones.
With gloating eyes.
The people.
Stir.
They throw the dice.
To get my coat.
Among themselves.
My clothes.
They share.
Let us sing these verses.
Like water.
I am emptied out.
Like water.
I am emptied out.
And all my bones are torn apart.
Like water I am emptied out, and all my bones are torn apart.
My inmost being melts away, and into wax is darn my heart.
My strength is dried like shattered clay, and as I fight to throw my breath,
My tongue is sticking to my jaws.
You lay me in the dust of death.
A pack of dogs encloses me, their circle round me is complete.
I am beset by evil men, and they have pierced my hands and feet.
I count the number on my board.
With floating eyes the people stare.
They throw the dice to get my coat.
Among themselves my close they share.
Let us now turn to the part of Scripture that we read.
Gospel according to Mark, chapter 15.
And we may read again at verse 39.
And when the centurion who stood facing him saw that in this way he breathed his lust,
he said, truly, this man was the Son of God.
The gospel accounts tell us of very strange happenings which coincided with the death of Christ.
And one of these that are mentioned is the tearing of the temple veil in two from top to bottom.
Three of the gospel writers refer to it, Matthew, Mark, and Luke.
Both Matthew and Mark associate the tearing of the curtain with the loud voice cry of the Lord Jesus on the cross and his final breath.
Some query which temple curtain was torn.
But I think it is safe to assume that it was the curtain or the veil that separated the holy place from the most holy place of the temple.
You may remember that the holy place was frequented on a daily basis by the duty priests who ministered there.
The most holy place was only entered once a year by the high priest on the great day of atonement.
How do we explain the phenomenon that this curtain was torn from the top to the bottom?
No one, no gospel writer, refers to anyone with a knife or a scissor trying to tear it in two.
It was apparently made of very thick material, not easily torn.
And the gospel writers record that it was torn simultaneously with the moment of the death of Christ at three in the afternoon.
On our timekeeping, in Jewish timekeeping, that is the ninth hour, the equivalent of three o'clock in the afternoon.
That is when the duty priests would be offering the daily evening sacrifice.
And for those ministering priests, it must have been a startling and surprising phenomenon to witness this taking place.
Given their familiarity with the Old Testament teaching, it may have even filled them with fear.
And the thought of death, now that the most holy place was exposed to their gaze.
I doubt that they understood the significance of the event then.
But they could not doubt that it was not attributable to anything natural.
For those with the benefit of New Testament teaching, it was very significant that the temple curtain was torn in two.
It signified the new order being ushered in.
No longer was there an impediment.
In drawing near to God, a new and living way had been opened up through the one sacrifice of the Lamb of God.
A sacrifice that satisfied the demands and full of divine justice.
On the writer in the letter to the Hebrews writes,
Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
by a new and living way which he consecrated for us,
through the veil that is his flesh.
Now, this strange phenomenon could only be verified by a limited number of people initially,
the duty priests of that day.
And no doubt, word would have spread quickly of what took place.
There were also other accompanying events of which many were witnesses.
There was, we are told, an earthquake.
That certainly could be verified by a greater number of people.
It took place during the afternoon.
Many would probably be aware of the tremor.
No information is given as to the severity of that tremor.
We're not told if houses were destroyed.
But what we are told by Matthew in his account is that the earthquake and the rocks were split.
The tearing of the curtain is not attributed to the force of the earthquake by any of the gospel writers.
They speak first of the tearing of the curtain,
and then they speak of the earthquake,
and they tell that the rocks were split.
Interestingly, in the original language,
the same root word is used to speak of the veil being torn and of the rocks being split.
The same power that tore the veil or the curtain,
thick as it was in the temple,
was also the power that split the rocks.
They were torn asunder,
and the impression that you get is that they were torn like someone might tear a piece of paper.
There was also another unusual occurrence.
Matthew writes,
and the graves were opened,
and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised,
and coming out of the graves after his resurrection,
they went into the holy city and appeared to many.
So you could say that these three events were not everyday occurrences.
They weren't events that you could shut your eyes to
and pretend that they did not happen.
The earth quaked,
the rocks were split,
the graves were opened,
and bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep.
Notice,
not all the bodies,
bodies of those saints.
And notice also
the way in which the writers
describe death
for those who had been saints.
They had fallen asleep,
and how very
suggestive that is.
And that is how the Bible frequently speaks
of the death of those who die in Christ.
They sleep in Christ,
and it is most suggestive.
Now,
all of these occurrences
were designed, I believe,
to catch the attention
of people at that time.
We are told
how all these combined events,
including the way in which Christ died,
affected some.
And Mark,
in this passage that we read,
tells us
of one particular individual
who I wish to focus on
this morning in our reflection.
An army officer,
a Roman centurion.
Mark records for us
the assessment
that this man made,
and his assessment
is an eyewitness statement
or account.
So,
who gave
this account?
What did he see?
Secondly,
what did he see and hear?
Thirdly,
what did he say?
And fourthly,
how does this account
speak to us?
Who gave it?
And the answer to the question is,
I don't know.
Because the gospel writers
do not see fit
to disclose his name,
to furnish us with details
of his background.
Obviously,
the gospel writers,
the Holy Spirit,
influencing the gospel writers,
didn't consider
that that information
was really important.
And so,
what we are told about this man
is really minimal.
He was an army officer
in the service of the Roman Empire,
probably a Gentile.
The fact that he is called
a centurion
indicates
that he was responsible
for a hundred soldiers.
That's
about the total
of the scant information
that we are given.
So,
he remains unnamed.
All we know is
that he appears
to be in charge
of the execution squad,
overseeing
the crucifixion
of Jesus
and remember
two others
who were crucified
alongside Jesus.
And Mark
portrays him
as
watching
proceedings.
Mark tells us
he stood
opposite Jesus.
In other words,
he was able
to observe
minutely
what was taking place,
possibly
doing so
to ensure
that no one
would seek
to intervene
and remove
Jesus from the cross.
I suppose
you could say
that was part
of his duty
as an officer
on guard duty.
But
in the overriding
mysterious
providence
of God,
he was appointed
to this duty.
And
it seems to me
you cannot
but marvel
at how
the Lord
uses
steps
in our
providence
for our
spiritual
good
without us
being aware
of how
our steps
are being
directed
in a
particular
way.
And I hope
we can see
that in the
life of this
man
as I
develop
the lecture.
Certainly
God moves
in mysterious
ways.
his wonders
to perform.
Here is a man
fulfilling orders
from his
superiors
and through
the instructions
that are given
to him
and the duties
entrusted
to him,
he comes
to formulate
a very
different
opinion
of Jesus
Christ.
not just
a different
opinion
as to the
fact that
he is on
the cross
but a
different
opinion
as to
the identity
of this
person
Jesus
Christ.
So who
gave
this
account?
An unnamed
Gentile,
centurion,
obeying
instructions
and on
duty
at the
cross.
Secondly,
what did he
see and
hear?
And the
impression is
created by
all the
gospel writers
who make
mention of
this man
is that
what he
saw and
heard
is linked
to his
testimony.
And it
seems to me
that there
are two
aspects
to what
he saw
and heard.
First,
there is
clear
indisputable
evidence
for some
of the
things that
he saw
and heard.
But secondly,
there are
also things
that we
may speculate
he saw
and heard,
but of
which I
cannot give
clear proof
from the
Bible that
he did.
And I'd
like to
deal with
a second
of these
first.
John's
gospel
tells us
that when
Jesus was
arrested
in
Gethsemane,
that Judas
came
along
with
accompanied
by a
detachment
of
troops
and
also
others.
Then Judas
having received
a detachment
of troops
and officers
from the
chief priests
and Pharisees
came there.
And the
word
translated
detachment
is the
word for
a unit
of soldiers
which
could
consist
of up
to 600
soldiers.
commentators
are of
the view
that
the number
present
when Jesus
was arrested
was not
that many
but that
there could
be
up to
200.
Was there
even that
many?
It's not
easy to
determine
from what
is written.
But when
they were
asked the
question,
whom are you
seeking?
And they
responded,
Jesus of
Nazareth,
John writes,
now when
he said
to them,
I am
he,
they drew
back and
fell to
the ground.
And the
thrust of
the Bible
with the
life of
Jesus
indicates
that he
veiled his
glory when
he appeared
in this
world in
true human
nature.
But in
that particular
context,
there is,
as it
were,
a glimpse
of his
glory shines
through the
veil of
his
humanity.
And even
such a
brief glimpse
of his
glory is
enough to
floor the
arresting
party.
It's as
if they
were paralyzed.
And the
question I'd
like to
pose is
this,
was this
centurion
among them?
Was he
struck by
the air
of authority
that
emanated
from this
person
whom they
had been
sent to
arrest?
And I
don't
discount the
possibility,
but I
cannot prove,
on the other
hand,
that he was
there.
Jesus
permitted them
to arrest
him.
He was
taken to
Annas,
the high
priest,
to Pilate,
to Herod,
and back
again to
Pilate.
and you
know the
story.
His
accuser
stating that
he claimed
to be the
Son of
God.
And from
their
mockery,
they are
in total
denial as
to the
identity of
this person.
They are
stating,
by the way
they treat
Jesus,
they do
not believe
for one
moment that
he is the
Son of
God.
did this
centurion,
did he
agree with
that initial
assessment?
And again,
I have to
say,
probably,
but I
cannot prove
it.
Jesus was
mocked.
He was
assaulted.
They beat
him.
John writes
of how
Jesus was
ill-treated
by the
soldiers and
how they
mocked his
claims.
The
soldiers
twisted a
crown of
thorns and
put it on
his head.
They put
on him a
purple robe.
Then they
said,
Hail,
King of
the Jews.
And they
struck him
with their
hands.
Was the
centurion
part of
this group?
It is
possible
that he
witnessed
all of
these events,
but I
cannot
produce
the
evidence
from the
Bible
that he
did.
So,
that's
the
second
thing.
We may
speculate
about that.
But the
first thing
is this.
There is
clear,
indisputable
evidence for
some of
the things
that he
saw and
heard.
Matthew in
his gospel
narrative
relates,
the earthquake,
the rocks
were split,
and the
graves were
opened,
and many
bodies of
the saints
who had
fallen asleep
were raised
and coming
out of the
graves after
resurrection.
They went
into the
holy city
and appeared
to many.
So,
when the
centurion
and those
with him
who were
guarding
Jesus
saw the
earthquake
and the
things that
had happened,
they feared
greatly.
So,
these were
some things
that he
saw and
heard,
and they
resulted in
producing
fear in
the life
of this
man.
did that
indicate
that he
was fearful
of the
consequences
of what
he had
done in
carrying out
his orders?
Because it
is more than
likely that
he was
responsible for
issuing the
command to
nail Jesus
to the
cross.
He would
have witnessed
the meek
submission of
Jesus to
this most
inhumane
action.
There is no
evidence of
resistance or
struggle to
escape on
the part of
Jesus.
There is no
verbal abuse
aimed at the
soldiers who
carried out
the act of
nailing him
to the
cross.
Because this
is one of
whom the
prophet Isaiah
could write
hundreds of
years beforehand
as he spoke
of the
suffering servant
of Jehovah.
He was
oppressed and
he was
afflicted,
yet he
opened not
his marks.
He was
led as
a lamb
to the
slaughter.
And as a
sheep before
his shearer
was silent,
so he
opened not
his mouth.
So there
is Isaiah
predicting
with the
spirit of
prophecy the
silence of
the Lamb
of God
as he
comes before
those who
are sitting
in judgment
on him
and who
are ill
treating
him.
the
centurion
could not
but fail
to notice
the calm
demeanor
of Christ
in the
face of
such
provocation.
He would
have heard
the mocking
taunts
of those
who surrounded
the cross.
He would
have heard
the mocking
and the
initial
remonstration
of both
of the
men who
were crucified
on either
side of
Jesus
because both
of them
mocked
Jesus
initially
and the
centurion
would be
aware
of
the
character
of these
two men
and their
reputation.
Did
the
centurion
hear
the message
of
marvelous
grace
addressed
to one
of the
dying
thieves?
You
remember
what Jesus
said to
him.
Remember
he had
pleaded
with
Christ
Lord
remember
me.
It's
such
an
impressive
prayer
and it's
a prayer
that
fits
every one
of us.
Lord
remember
me.
And
you
remember
the
response
of
Christ.
Assuredly
I say
to you
today
you
will
be
with
me
in
paradise.
did
Jesus
speak
it
loudly
enough
for
the
centurion
to
hear?
It's
possible.
The
centurion
would also
have seen
the thick
judgmental
darkness
that
covered
the
sight
from
midday
until
3pm.
He
must have
wondered
about
that.
he
would
have
heard
the
cry
of
dereliction
that
pierced
the
thick
darkness
when
Christ
cried
out
my
God
my
God
why
have
you
forsaken
me?
And
Mark
in this
particular
context
especially
links
the
testimony
of the
centurion
to
his
observation
of the
manner
in
which
Christ
died.
Mark
writes
and
Jesus
cried
out
with
a
loud
voice
and
breathed
his
last.
And
then
in
our
text
he
goes
on
to
write
so
when
the
centurion
who
stood
opposite
him
saw
that
he
cried
out
like
this
and
breathed
his
last
he
said
truly
this
man
was
the
son
of
God.
Now
we
know
that
people
respond
to
the
death
of
Christ
on
the
cross
in
different
ways.
If
you
in
your
life
that
the
death
of
Christ
means
that
you
are
forever
thanking
the
Lord
that
Christ
Jesus
came
into
the
world
to
seek
and
to
save
that
which
was
lost.
It
is
obvious
then
that
the
manner
of
Christ
dying
had
a
profound
effect
on
the
opinion
of
this
man
as
to
the
identity
of
Jesus
of
Nazareth.
He
heard
him
cry
with
a
loud
voice
and
he
saw
him
breathe
his
last.
Remember
Jesus
had
been
hanging
on
the
cross
for
six
hours
the
third
hour
to
the
ninth
hour
on
our
clock
nine
in the
morning
till
three
in the
afternoon.
He
heard
Jesus
cry
with
a
loud
voice
and
John
in
his
gospel
tells
us
that
Jesus
cried
out
it
is
finished.
In
the
Greek
it's
just
one
word
tetelestai.
Did
the
centurion
understand
the
significance
of what
Christ
said?
I
can't
be
sure
about
that.
But
I
think
he
would
certainly
have
found
it
peculiar
that
a
weakened
dying
person
should
have
the
energy
to
shout
with
a
loud
voice.
It's
not
what
you
normally
associate
with
the
act
of
dying.
John
tells
us
that
Jesus
bowing
his
head
gave
up
his
spirit
and
it's
as
if
John
is
telling
us
that
this
was
a
regal
act
on
the
part
of
Jesus
as
he
gave
himself
to
death.
Unlike
you
or
I
when
our
time
to
die
has
come
we
will
be
conquered
by
the
power
of
death.
Oh
yes
we
will
fight
it
as
long
as
we
are
able.
We
will
struggle
against
the
onset
of
death
but
the
power
of
death
will
conquer
you
and
me.
Christ
doesn't
come
first.
And
you
know
we
don't
know
when
that
will
be
or
where
it
will
be
do
we?
We
may
think
we
know
but
we
don't.
Just
in the
last
few
days
there
was
a
car
accident
in
the
Isle
of
Sky
the
parents
of
the
man
who
was
killed
in
that
accident
were
in
my
first
congregation
they're
not
alive
anymore
going
to
work
in
his
car
he
never
reaches
the
office
you
know
and
these
things
are
all
food
for
thought
we
don't
know
when
that
moment
is
going
to
come
abound
in
your
life
or
in
mine
but
here
Jesus
gives
himself
to
death
so
there's
a
world
of
a
difference
between
my
dying
your
dying
and
the
death
of
Christ
the
centurion
saw
and
heard
what
transpired
at
the
cross
he
may
have
even
seen
and
heard
what
took
place
from
the
moment
of
Jesus
arrest
in
Gethsemane
right up
to the
cross
and
beyond
I
cannot
prove
that
part
but
what
he
saw
and
heard
had
a
profound
effect
on
his
assessment
of
this
person
Jesus
of
Nazareth
what
did
he
see
and
hear
who
gave
this
account
thirdly
what
did
he
say
and
the
question
takes
us
right
into
the
heart
of
our
text
in
the
light
of
what
he
heard
and
saw
under
the
influence
of
the
Holy
Spirit
he
speaks
in
glowing
terms
of
the
identity
of
Jesus
of
Nazareth
you
know
many
saw
and
heard
what
the
centurion
saw
but
it
didn't
have
this
effect
on
them
many
people
hear
of
Jesus
Christ
and
you
may
be
even
here
this
morning
but
until
now
Jesus
Christ
has
not
had
a
transforming
effect
on
your
life
Luke
in
his
account
tells
us
so
when
the
centurion
saw
what
had
happened
he
glorified
God
saying
certainly
this
was
a
righteous
man
now
Luke's
record
suggests
the
centurion
was
expressing
words
that
exonerate
the
character
of
Jesus
while
both
Matthew
and
Mark's
accounts
are
more
a
declaration
of
the
identity
of
Jesus
of
Nazareth
if we
look at
Luke's
record
of what
is stated
by the
centurion
you can
see
how
what he
says
exonerates
the
character
of
Jesus
why do
I say
this
think
about
it
for
this
very
good
reason
that
this
form
of
capital
punishment
that he
was
undergoing
was
reserved
for
the
very
worst
of
crimes
now
that
was
true
of
the
two
who
were
being
put
to
death
alongside
Jesus
so
when
the
centurion
states
that
this
was
a
righteous
man
in
effect
he
is
stating
that
this
person
Jesus
of
Nazareth
is
innocent
as
one
who
had
been
present
perhaps
from
the
time
of
his
arrest
but
certainly
present
at
the
cross
he
has
come
to
the
conclusion
that
this
man
has
been
punished
for
a
crime
of
which
he
is
innocent
what
he
saw
and
heard
convinced
him
that
this
man
is
truly
righteous
the
thief
who
was
brought
to
faith
in
Christ
and
who
was
given
such
blessed
assurance
of
where
he
was
going
to
spend
eternity
also
came
to a
similar
conclusion
we
receive
he says
to
his
fellow
accused
the
due
reward
of
our
deeds
but
this
man
has
done
nothing
wrong
the
centurion
would be
in full
agreement
without
assessment
he had
seen
enough
to
convince
him
that
Jesus
was
innocent
he's
a
righteous
man
what
he
saw
and
heard
convinced
him
that
Jesus
was
undeserving
of
death
and
Luke
tells
us
he
glorified
God
how
did
he
glorify
God
well
I'm
going
to
suggest
by
merely
making
the
statement
that
Jesus
was
a
righteous
man
he
was
glorifying
God
he
was
saying
the
same
thing
as
God
says
about
his
own
son
you
remember
the
letter
to
the
Romans
Paul
speaks
of
those
although
they
knew
God
they
did
not
glorify
him
as
God
you
see
the
statement
that
the
centurion
made
it
if I
can put
it this
way
he
it
concurs
with the
assessment
of heaven
when
Jesus
was
being
baptized
at
Jordan
remember
what we
are told
this is
my
beloved
son
in
whom
I
am
well
pleased
here
is
one
who
was
supernaturally
conceived
in the
womb
of the
virgin
and
he
was
righteous
you could
say he
was
righteous
before he
came into
the world
he was
righteous
from the
womb
righteous
as a
child
righteous
as a
teenager
righteous
as an
adult
and
throughout
all his
sufferings
no
unrighteousness
of any
kind
can be
found
in him
and the
centurion
is
convinced
on the
basis
of what
he had
seen
and heard
that this
person
is not
on the
cross
for the
sake
of any
breach
of the
law
the
priests
the
scribes
the
Pharisees
who had
condemned
him
and were
gloating
in his
death
were
being
challenged
by the
testimony
of the
centurion
they were
putting
a
righteous
man
to
death
was there
not a
danger
that this
testimony
would be
carried
back
to the
years
of his
superior
and ultimately
to the
governor
that an
injustice
had been
done
that justice
hadn't been
served
well you
know
I don't
know but
I get
the impression
that this
centurion
didn't
care
about
that
he was
basing
his
assessment
on what
he had
seen
and heard
and not
only does
he by
his
testimony
exonerate
the
character
of Jesus
but he
goes even
further
truly this
man
was the
son of
God
he is
not now
justifying
the character
of Jesus
but he is
setting
before us
the identity
of this
condemned
person
on the
middle
cross
he's
not
just
merely
a righteous
man
he's
the
son
of
God
and you
remember
how Mark
begins
his gospel
the beginning
of the
gospel
the beginning
of the good
news
of Jesus
Christ
the son
of God
there would
be no
good news
if Jesus
Christ
was just
a right
a mere
man
even a
mere
righteous
man
my sins
and your
sins
could never
be atoned
for
by a
mere
man
even a
righteous
man
die
in our
place
we require
a substitute
who is
both God
and man
if this
centurion
was present
in Gethsemane
then he saw
his display
of authoritative
power
in his trials
and crucifixion
he would have
seen how
how
how nobly
he conducted
himself
remember
how the
apostle
Peter
writes
of Christ
who
committed
no sin
nor was
deceit
found in
his mouth
who
when he
was reviled
did not
revile
in return
when he
suffered
he did
not
threaten
but
committed
himself
to him
who judges
righteously
the centurion
saw Jesus
during these
six hours
on the
cross
he saw
how
disparagingly
the chief
priest
spoke to
him
mocking
him
himself
he cannot
save
if he is
the king
of Israel
let him
come down
from the
cross
and we
will
believe
he trusted
in God
let him
deliver him
now
we love
for he
said
I am
the son
of God
he saw
all of
that
it's not
improbable
but that
the first
thought
of who
Christ
was
sold
in the
garden
of
Gethsemane
other
thoughts
followed
as he
viewed
events
of the
actual
crucifixion
he saw
as it were
heaven
itself
bearing
witness
to what
was taking
place
he saw
the split
rocks
the open
graves
did he
understand
what these
things meant
I don't
know
but of
this
he was
convinced
certainly
this was
a righteous
man
truly
this man
was the
son of
God
that's
what he
said
what did
he
see
and
hear
who
gave
this
account
finally
how
does
that
speak
to
us
what
does
that
to
do
with
us
here
this
morning
what
does
the
testimony
of the
centurion
say
to you
and me
well
can we
not say
this
that we
have to
reckon
with this
confession
everything
in the
Bible
supports
and
confirms
the
accuracy
of his
statement
and
assessment
and that
raises
another
question
if
Christ
is
righteous
and he
is
if
Christ
is the
son of
God
and he
is
why
is he
on the
cross
dying
as an
unrighteous
person
in the
Roman
place
of
sinners
could
God
not
protect
him
and
deliver
him
could
God
not
have
defended
himself
and
saved
himself
and the
answer
to all
of
these
is
yes
so
why
was
he
there
we
cannot
pretend
to
ignore
the
question
why
did
he
die
why
was
he
placed
on
the
cross
and
the
Bible
answers
the
question
superbly
Christ
also
suffered
once
for
sins
the
just
for
the
unjust
that
he
might
bring
us
to
God
that's
the
biblical
answer
why
did
he
die
the
cursed
death
of
the
cross
it
was
for
sins
not
his
own
sins
he
had
none
but
for
your
sins
and
mine
when
he
went
to
the
cross
he
went
as
the
just
in
place
of
the
unjust
he
bore
our
sins
our
pride
our
lies
our
blasphemy
our
sinful
desires
he
died
the
just
one
for
those
who
were
unjust
and
the
reason
that
the
Bible
gives
us
this
that
he
might
bring
us
to
God
that
sets
before
us
that
not
only
was
he
the
sole
sacrifice
that
satisfied
the
justice
of
God
but
that
he
was
active
as
priest
and
bringing
sinners
to
God
he
is
able
to
plead
the
efficacy
of
the
cry
of
the
shed
blood
within
the
courts
above
oh
there
is
much
efficacy
and
the
cry
of
the
shed
blood
within
the
courts
above
our
sins
are
as
a
huge
impossible
mountain
between
us
and
a
holy
God
we
require
to
have
that
obstacle
removed
and
he
came
over
the
mountains
of
our
sin
he
came
as
the
king
of
grace
into
this
world
as
so
well
set
out
by
Mark
in
the
beginning
of
his
gospel
as
he
sets
before
us
the
heart
of
Jesus
message
Jesus
came
to
Galilee
preaching
the
gospel
of the
kingdom
of
God
and
saying
the
time
is
fulfilled
the
kingdom
of
God
is
at
hand
repent
and
believe
in
the
gospel
so
here
is
this
man
the
centurion
a
non-Jew
a
non-disciple
a
gentile
testifying
to the
sonship
and the
righteousness
of
Jesus
and as
far as
I can
gather
he is
the
only
person
praising
God
at
the
cross
he
glorified
God
at
the
cross
and
here
are
we
today
thousands
of years
later
most of
us have
heard about
Jesus
Christ
from
childhood
we've
been
taught
about
his
identity
and why
he died
on the
cross
is it
true
this
morning
that
you do
not
see
your
need
of
Christ
to
bring
you
into
subjection
to
God
is it
true
that
you
live
as if
you do
not
need
the
Jesus
who
died
on
the
cross
or are
you here
today
and have
you been
reflecting
on the
death of
Christ
on the
cross
did you
come
to the
same
conclusion
as the
centurion
are you
praising
God
that
Christ
came into
the world
that he
was
crucified
the
just
in the
room
of the
unjust
or does
that leave
you
totally
unmoved
uncaring
well it
didn't
leave this
man
this
hardened
soldier
it made
a deep
indelible
impression
on his
life
we don't
know
anything
more
about
him
after
these
times
but what
we do
know
is this
his
testimony
still
rings
out
as he
assures
us
truly
this
man
was
the
son
of
God
what
place
does
the
son
of
God
have
in
our
lives
this
morning
let us
pray
oh
eternal
God
we
thank
thee
that
the
son
of
God
came
into
this
world
in
true
human
form
that
he
suffered
that
he
died
and
that
he
rose
again
that
he
is
at
the
right
hand
above
a
prince
and
a
savior
oh
grant
eternal
one
that
we
might
share
with
the
centurion
the
conviction
that
this
was
the
son
of
God
and
as
the
son
of
God
that
we
look
to
him
and
to
him
alone
for
salvation
and
the
glory
shall
be
thine
in
Jesus
name
we
ask
it
amen
let
us
conclude
by
singing
to
God's
praise
from
Psalm
149
page
450
of
the
Psalter
and
the
tune
is
Gainsborough
Psalm
149
page
450
of
the
Psalter
praise
ye
the
Lord
and
to
him
sing
a
new
song
and
his
praise
in
the
assembly
of
his
saints
in
sweet
psalms
do
he
raise
let
Israel
in
his
maker
joy
and
to
him
praises
sing
let
all
that
Zion's
children
are
be
joyful
in
their
king
oh
let
them
unto
his
great
name
give
praises
in
the
dance
let
them
with
timbrel
and
with
harp
in
songs
his
praise
advance
for
God
doth
pleasure
take
in
those
that
his
own
people
be
and
he
with
his
salvation
the
meek
will
beautify
in
his
glory
excellent
let
all
his
saints
rejoice
let
them
to
him
upon
their
beds
aloud
lift
up
their
voice
let
us
sing
these
verses
praise
ye
the
lord
praise
ye
the
lord
unto
him
sing
a
new
song
and
his
praise
in
thee
assembly
of
his
saints
in
sweet
sounds
do
ye
praise
let
Israel
in
his
make
a
joy
and
to
him
praise
his
sing
let
all
us
kil
our
children
mit
joyful
end
let
he
O
let
them
I
do
esse
dit
Give praises in the chance.
Let him with timbrel and with high,
His songs his dreams advance.
For thought of pleasure to make it those
that is for people we.
And here with his salvation,
the meek will beautify.
And in his glory excellent,
let all his saints rejoice.
Let them to him upon their face
alone lift up their voice.
Now may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
the love of God the Father,
fellowship and communion of the Holy Spirit,
rest on and abide with you all,
now and forever.
Amen.