Daily Devotional

Albert Barnes, in his Commentary on the New Testament, contends that this man’s declaration is more correctly translated, “This has to be a son of a God”, a statement more suited to the polytheistic view that prevailed in the Roman culture that was this Captain’s world.
Even so, based on what this Centurion witnessed in Jesus’ death, he became convinced that Jesus was worthy of respect. His life was changed because of what he had seen of and heard from Jesus. Regardless of the precise wording of the testimony, we can still celebrate it because it serves as evidence that, when we encounter Jesus, He has an impact on us.
Jesus still effects lives today—even the lives of those who do not call Him, “Lord.” In His name, the hungry are being fed, the sick are being cared for, addicts are being treated, the incarcerated and the isolated are being tended to. There is no segment of our society that has not been affected by the infusion of the name of Jesus.
Not everyone who has heard of Jesus has submitted to Him; not everyone who has been helped by Jesus has embraced Him. There are those who seek to discredit Jesus by pointing to the obvious flaws and weaknesses in His disciples—a failed Cleric, a Church scandal, a religious zealot who misquotes scripture to justify acts of evil. We’re not going to stop that from happening; it’s been going on from the very beginning. But while it’s easy to criticize Jesus’ followers, it’s difficult for anyone to honestly criticize Jesus.
What is the criticism to, “God so loved the world that He gave His One and only Son… (John 3:16)”? What is the objection to, “Do to others as you would have them do to you (Matthew 7:12)”? What is the problem with, “Greater love has no one than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13)”?
This Centurion was affected by Jesus. And being affected by Him is the first step in getting closer to Him. Have a blessed Good Friday!

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