“Truly this was the son of God.”
The Roman centurion uttered these words.
After the darkness. After the earthquake. After Jesus died.
Hours, even minutes before, Jesus was less than nothing as far as he was concerned.
Another Jew. Another criminal. Another execution.
He had led his men to beat, to mock and to spit on Jesus.
Now he led them in a confession of ultimate truth.
Not because of how Jesus lived, but how He died.
Jesus died willingly, maintaining His love and compassion, completely surrendered to God’s plan.
We are called to take up our crosses and die to self. If we do that willingly, surrendered to God’s plan, full of love and compassion …
If we do that, what will happen to the hardened and cynical around us?
They might just respond like the centurion.