Luke 23:47 Amplified Bible
47 Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he began praising and honoring God, saying, “Certainly this Man was innocent.”
Word of God for the Children of God
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
We cannot, have not understood the cross unless it has changed us personally.
After Jesus “breathed his last” (Luke 23:46), Luke records for us the reactions of those who witnessed the crucifixion.
“All the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts” (v 48).
Yes, there was sadness, but once the spectacle was over, they left to get on with their lives.
Verse 49 then informs us that “all his acquaintances … stood at a distance watching”—and we can only imagine what was running through their minds.
But the most striking and the most personal reaction that
Luke captures is that of the Roman centurion, who, seeing what had happened, “praised God, saying, ‘Certainly this man was innocent!’”—or, as the NIV renders it, “Surely this was a righteous man.”
Here, amid the darkness of hypocritical religious leaders, cynical rulers, and callous passersby, is a glimmer of light.
Perhaps the last person we would expect to see the truth—a man with no previous connection to Jesus, no background in Old Testament studies, and no predisposition to the things of God—This Roman Centurion, not only grasped the significance of what he was looking at but responded personally to it too!
He saw “what had taken place”—heard the words of Jesus, saw the darkness overhead, the manner of His death—and realized,
Here is no ordinary man. Here is a man who is different from every other man. Here is a man who is entirely innocent, wholly righteous.
Indeed, Mark adds that the centurion confessed that the man on the cross was “the Son of God” (Mark 15:39).
With his eye for detail, Luke places a clear emphasis on seeing what took place on the cross.
He probably hoped that some readers would remember that when Jesus had read from the scroll of Isaiah earlier in His ministry, He had said, “The Spirit of the Lord … has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor … to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind” (Luke 4:18).
Indeed, a great theme found throughout the Gospel of Luke is that of darkness being invaded by light—the confusion and rock hardness of people’s hearts and their minds being invaded by this vision of the liberating power of God’s truth.
Any attempt to articulate Christianity that denies the centrality of the cross can never lead to saving faith.
And while we do not always understand how the Spirit moves in leading men and women to be born again, our message must always and ever be the same: “Christ crucified” (1 Corinthians 1:23).
It is beholding the cross that brings life for anyone who responds to the man who hung there by confessing who He is and praising God for His saving work.
Unless and until the cross becomes 100% personal to us, it is useless for us.
So, when was the last time you simply looked at your Savior on the cross and tried to grasp the fullest magnitude of this moment and knelt to praised God?
In the name of God, the father and God the son and God the Holy Spirit
Praying …
The Works and the Word of God.
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
19 The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
And the expanse [of heaven] is declaring the work of His hands.
2
Day after day pours forth speech,
And night after night reveals knowledge.
3
There is no speech, nor are there [spoken] words [from the stars];
Their voice is not heard.
4
Yet their voice [in quiet evidence] has gone out through all the earth,
Their words to the end of the world.
In them and in the heavens He has made a tent for the sun,
5
Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber;
It rejoices as a strong man to run his course.
6
The sun’s rising is from one end of the heavens,
And its circuit to the other end of them;
And there is nothing hidden from its heat.
7
The law of the Lord is perfect (flawless), restoring and refreshing the soul;
The statutes of the Lord are reliable and trustworthy, making wise the simple.
8
The precepts of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true, they are righteous altogether.
10
They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
11
Moreover, by them Your servant is warned [reminded, illuminated, and instructed];
In keeping them there is great reward.
12
Who can understand his errors or omissions? Acquit me of hidden (unconscious, unintended) faults.
13
Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous (deliberate, willful) sins;
Let them not rule and have control over me.
Then I will be blameless (complete),
And I shall be acquitted of great transgression.
14
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable and pleasing in Your sight,
O Lord, my [firm, immovable] rock and my Redeemer.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
Loving God, Living God, Loving Hope, Living Hope, Loving Living Life His Way! "Many things are possible for the person who has hope. Even more is possible for the person who has faith. And still more is possible for the person who knows how to love. But everything is possible for the person who practices all three virtues." - Brother Lawrence (1605-1691), Practicing the Presence of God (1692). 