Transforming Encounters: The 40-Day Challenge (Luke)ნიმუში

Dawn, - but no daybreak that Judean morning. The Roman centurion, an officer, skilled in warfare, felt a strange unease. He was tired. Just one more task. He would endure. This wasn’t anything he hadn’t already seen. Witnessing death and dying was his daily routine. He was overseeing yet another crucifixion of Jewish prisoners, including the radical Yeshua – Jesus of Nazareth. This too would pass, and he could breathe a sigh of relief.

Yet, he was anxious. He remembered Jesus standing calmly before Pilate. There was no guilt in him, Pilate concluded. Cowardly, he washed his hands and handed him over to the soldiers. Insults, abuse, mockery followed… And he had been with them. Morally neutral, he was doing dirty work. He was angry that Jesus had not defended himself. When they nailed him to the cross and lifted him up, he couldn't even look at him. Such a tortured body, so much suffering and acceptance of pain. How, why?– he screamed to himself. Suddenly darkness began to descend. The officer found courage and raised his gaze. His eyes met Jesus’. And then it happened. Something broke inside him. It shook him to the core. Jesus cried out: Father, into your hands... The centurion understood – Jesus is the Son of God. The earth shook mightily. This death was not ordinary. This man was not ordinary. This event was not ordinary in any way. For the Roman officer, that encounter was a pledge for eternity. What is it for you?

Stop and think, perhaps for the first time deeply and seriously, how you and your life are affected by the knowledge that Jesus, who willingly died on the cross for your sins – is the Son of God.