Saturday, April 15 – John Barbour

The Soldiers

Read Matthew 27:27-37, 54,  Matthew 28:4, 11-15

Reflection ~

Jesus probably interacted with Roman soldiers in some way all His life. They were a regular fixture in Jewish culture in Jesus’ time. But during His three years of earthly ministry, the authors of the Gospels recorded specific scenes that were touching and poignant, while others were cruel and violent. Who were these men who became Roman soldiers? What manner of man took on a job like that?

The Romans revolutionized warfare. They didn’t draft their warriors from the citizenry. They were more like mercenaries…paid very well. They made lifelong careers out of fighting. Their rigorous training and discipline in battle were legendary. Roman culture, as a whole, was extremely brutal and this was reflected in their army. It’s easy to understand therefore, that Matthew’s account of the treatment of Jesus at the soldiers’ hands was likewise brutal. They mocked Him, tortured Him, spat on Him, crucified Him, and stole His earthly possessions. After His resurrection, they accepted bribes and lied about what happened to His body. None of this is surprising given the fact that they were paid to follow orders without question.

However, in the midst of this violent culture where all manner of atrocities were justified, Matthew records the stories of two soldiers whose interactions with Jesus were eye opening and lifechanging for them.

In Matthew 8, a Centurion (Roman soldier in charge of 100 men) appealed to Jesus to heal his beloved servant. Just before this encounter, Jesus had taught the crowd to love their enemies. Now a man, who many Jews would have identified as THEIR enemy, asked Jesus for a favor. His servant was sick and dying. The heart that was hardened by military training was softened by tragedy. The Centurion who exercised authority over others recognized Jesus’ authority and placed himself under it. Jesus did as the soldier asked and actually praised him for his faith!

The scene in Matthew 27 involves another Centurion. He, having undoubtedly participated in Jesus’ crucifixion in some way, is now standing at the foot of the cross after Jesus’ last breath. He exclaims in verse 54… “Surely this was the Son of God!” How did he come to this conclusion? He had probably seen countless men die in battle, but never like this. He had heard Jesus ask His Father to forgive them (him) because they didn’t know what they were doing. And then the sky darkened and an earthquake violently shook the ground under this soldier’s feet as his eyes were opened to who Jesus was, and his heart was opened to his need for the forgiveness that Jesus offered.

It’s interesting to speculate about what happened to these two Centurions who came away from their encounters with Jesus and seemed to be changed. Maybe they never lifted their swords in service to Rome again. We will never know. They have long since passed into eternity and God has dealt with them as He does with all of us…in perfect love and justice. What we can and should learn from them is that hard hearts can be softened. All manner of sin can be forgiven. Creation bows down and declares the glory of God. And God can do miracles when men and women place their faith in His Son.

Prayer ~ 

Father, soften our hard hearts. Forgive our sins. Open our eyes to see You and our ears to hear You. And do miracles as we place our faith and trust in Your Son and in His work on the cross. Amen