“And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself” (John 12:32).
My Lord and my God, You are the reason for my existence, the Source of my Joy, and everything I will ever need! May I be willing to share my glimpse of You with the world, for Your glory and the redemption of others! I ask this in the beautiful Name of Jesus Christ, my Lord!
Today we are going to share the story of another individual, who saw Jesus “lifted up from the earth,” and was positively impacted by the sight. We do not know his name, but we do know what he was doing there at the cross some two thousand years ago. I am talking about, the Centurion,
I distinguish him with the definite article the, because there were several centurions there, but one, is mentioned, as having recognized Jesus, not as a criminal, but as the Son of God! Praise the name of Jesus!
“Then someone ran and filled a sponge full of sour wine, put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink, saying, ‘ “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to take Him down.” ‘ And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last. 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” ‘ ” ‘ ” (Mark 15:39)!
While those who were passing by the cross blasphemed (vv. 29, 30); while the religious leaders (chief priests!) mocked Him (vv. 31, 32a); and even the thief, who, before his conversion, along with the other thief, reviled Him (v. 32b); God was opening the spiritual eyes of a Roman centurion, “who stood opposite Him,” to recognize in the Savior, the King on a cross! The Son of God!
Jesus has been lifted up from the earth for some two thousand years, and is still drawing people from every culture, ethnic group, tongue, and language, from every walk of life, to Himself! Some are accepting Him and finding in Him a Savior, whose love kept Him on the cross while they blasphemed, and mocked Him, daring Him to, “come down and save Himself!
But thank God! His love was greater than their mocking! Thank God! He stayed on the cross, so that He could “save others!” Yes, dear friends, He is Jesus the Christ! The Savior of the world! And desirous of becoming our personal Savior from sin! Who came to our world, not to condemn us, but that the “world though Him might be saved!”
Today, if you hear His voice, harden not your heart! He loves You and wants to save you! Won’t you love Him in return and allow Him to save you, by drawing you to Himself? This is a decision you will never have to regret!