THE CENTURION’S CHOICE

MARK 15:33-45

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE INCIDENTS OF IMPORTANCE

 

1. The Testimony of a Sinner [Luke 23:41-42]

 

And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

 

2. Three Hours of Darkness from High Noon to 3 [Luke 23:44-45]

 

And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.

 

3. The Earthquake [Mt. 27:50-54]

 

Jesus, when, he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded, up the ghost.  And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

 

II. THE EVIDENCE OF DEITY

 

1. Today Thou Shalt Be with Me in Paradise [Luke 23:42-43]

 

And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

 

2. It is Finished [Mt. 27:50, Mk. 15:37, Lk. 23:46a, Jn. 19:30]

 

-Jesus, when, he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded, up the ghost.

- And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice

- And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost

- When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

 

3. Father, into Thy Hands I Commit My Spirit [Lk. 23:46b, Ecc. 8:8]

 

- And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

-There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death:

 

III. THE EXPRESSIONS OF FAITH

 

1. The Centurion Glorified God [Lk. 23:47, John 15:8]

 

- Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.

-Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

 

2. He Recognized the Sinlessness of Christ [Lk. 23:47b, 41] “The ground at the cross is extremely level.”

 

- Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.

 

3. He Emphasized the Deity of Christ [Mt. 27:40-43, 54; Mk. 15:37-39]

 

-And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said , I am the Son of God.

-Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

- And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.