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The centurion… glorified God

Text: Luke 23:27-47
9 November 2008

(I) THE CENTURION IN THE ROMAN ARMY

1. A commander of a hundred soldiers

2. He is battle-hardened

3. He has proven himself in battle

4. He has received one promotion after another till he reached the rank of Centurion

(II) THE CRUCIFIXION DETAIL

1. Soldiers deployed along the streets to control the crowd

2. Delegation of duties to soldiers to prevent any uprising

3. Crucifixion of hardened criminals were not uncommon

4. Crucifying Jesus was something else!

(III) OBSERVATIONS MADE

1. The trial of Jesus before Pilate

2. The scourging of Jesus

3. The torturous walk to Golgotha

4. The nailing of Jesus on the Cross

5. The Seven words of Jesus

a) In prayer to God

“…’Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do’…” Luke 23:34

b) A quiet and tender word for Mary and John

“Behold thy son, Behold thy mother”

c) A compassionate word of promise to the thief

“…’today, you will be with Me in paradise.’ ” Luke 23:43

d) A prayer of great agony of soul

“Why have Your forsaken Me?”

e) A pitiful cry of thirst

“I thirst”

f) A cry of triumph

“It is finished”

g) A prayer of trust

“…’into Your Hands I commit My spirit’…” Luke 23:46

6. The unusual darkness that came upon the earth during the crucifixion (Luke 23:44)

(IV) CONCLUSION OF OBSERVATIONS

“So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, ‘Certainly this was a righteous Man!’ ” Luke 23:47

1. Conclusion based on first hand knowledge

2. A conclusion that saw him invoking God’s name

3. A conclusion that saw him give glory to God

4. A conclusion tied in to the Lord Jesus Christ

“He was a righteous man!”