When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”
Matthew 27:54 NIV
Son of God
The Sons of England War Memorial in Toronto is comprised of a bronze statue of a lone soldier atop a granite pedestal which is flanked by three lions. It was erected by members of the Toronto Districts Sons of England Benefit Society in memory of those who fell in the First World War. The memorial was created by sculptor Charles Adamson and dedicated in December 1923 at University and College Avenues. It was moved to University Avenue at Elm Street sometime later.
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While many of Jesus’ followers failed to stay with Jesus during His crucifixion, there were many people who were there. Some because they loved Him, others because they were working and were there doing their jobs. The Bible includes the response of some of those unbelievers, and by doing so, we get a glimpse into the impact on their lives as they experienced all they did that day. Matthew 27:54 records the response of a centurion and the guards that day: “When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, ‘Surely he was the Son of God!’” We have no idea how many crucifixions those men had witnessed. They were far too common in Jesus’ day. But this one was different – it came with dark skies, an earthquake, dead rising and the Temple curtain torn. This Jesus was like no one they had ever experienced before. He still is and calls each one of us to proclaim, “Surely He IS the Son of God!”
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley