"The soldiers at the crucifixion and their Sergeant were terribly frightened by the earthquake and all that had happened. They exclaimed "Surely this is God's Son." Matthew 27:54 (TLB)
The crowds were becoming bored. The only reason they had stayed so long was to mock the one who claimed to be their King. After all, crucifixion was not an uncommon event in Jerusalem. Slowly, a sense of unease began to spread through the crowd. The blistering sun of high noon had disappeared, giving way to the blackness of midnight.
For the priests on Temple duty that day, the topic of conversation was that heretic, Jesus. To the last man, they supported his crucifixion. Anyone blaspheming themselves by claiming to be God deserved to die. A distant sound penetrated their conversation. Suddenly, it was not so distant. It was the sound of something being torn. Their blood ran cold. The curtain covering the Holy of Holies had been ripped. There was nothing between them and God.
The sergeant was not one to scare easily. A twenty year veteran and highly decorated soldier, he was the first to notice the animals. Something was making the dogs act crazy. Then the earth began to shake. He had heard the report of what had happened in the Temple. The pitch black daytime sky was undeniable. Astounding reports of the dead coming back to life all over Jerusalem stunned him. Abruptly, the pieces came together. There was no doubt he had crucified the Messiah.
Father, I have reviewed the evidence. I have studied the signs and wonders performed by Jesus. May your Son come into my heart, take control of my life, and guide my steps from this time forward. Forgive my sins and give me a clean start. Amen.
Copyright 2007 Timothy E. Davis