April 4

Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man. Luke 23:47.

A DYING bed is a very affecting scene, but few have opportunity or liberty to observe it. But a public execution awakens much attention, and will be impressive according to the character of the sufferer and the disposition of the spectators. Our Saviour died, not in a quiet room, not on a bed of ease and comfort, but upon a cross, upon a hill, and at a public festival. No wonder, therefore, especially considering his fame, that his death should have attracted many spectators. We do not read of the chief priests, or of the elders, or of the scribes, or of the rulers being affected on this occasion. Yea, we know that, regardless of all decorum as well as of humanity, they joined in insulting the Redeemer in his last agonies. But we see the centurion impressed.

This centurion was a Roman officer. We should always avoid general and indiscriminate reflections upon bodies and professions of men. Pour centurions are mentioned in the New Testament, and of all those individuals we are compelled to think well. This centurion was the commander of a hundred men, and he was now appointed with his troops to guard the cross-to preserve it from all kinds of tumult. He was therefore now in his calling, and what a mercy it fell to his lot to perform duty on this occasion. Little did he imagine, when he ascended the hill of Calvary with his men in the morning, what he should experience while he was there.

Who knows what a day may bring forth? Little did Joseph imagine, when he went to inquire after his brethren’s welfare in the plains of Dothan, that he would be governor of the land of Egypt; or Saul, when he set off to seek his father’s asses-or David, when he carried provision to his brethren in the camp of Israel, that they would be anointed kings over all Israel. The people of the world call this the romance of history; but we view these things as the mysteries of the providence of Him “who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in working.” He was not only a Roman officer; he was a heathen, a Gentile.

And with regard to the attractive influence of the cross of Jesus, our Lord said, “I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto me.” And here we see an instance of it. And the man being a Gentile, renders the case more interesting to us; for what were we once but Gentiles in the flesh, worshipping the sun and the moon, and having a God for every day in the week; painted, naked savages, living in the woods, the slaves of a cruel and bloody superstition. But now what was it that affected the centurion? It was what he saw was done. He saw the Saviour give up the ghost. He was surprised that he should die before those who were crucified with him- before the blow which fractured and dispatched them; that he should not die of exhaustion; and that, with such calm composure and divine compassion, he should pray for his murderers while they were driving the nails into his hands and feet-and at the promise to the dying thief, the address to his mother, and to John concerning his mother.

Ah, it was the moral scenery, as well as the physical scenery, which made the impression upon the mind of the centurion, “who, when he saw what was done, glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.” In a parallel passage it is said, “He feared God greatly, and exclaimed, Truly this was the Son of God.” He was the Son of God, because he had often said so, and he would not have said this unless it had been true; and, therefore, he was convinced of his innocency and of his dignity, by the disposition which he displayed, and by the miracles which were performed on his behalf, and which were so many express testimonies from God.