Mark 15-16 To Be Like Jesus

The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.  And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”- Mark 15:38-39 NIV

What was it about the way that Jesus died that made it obvious that he was the Son of God?  Even before he rose from the dead, the centurion who had been standing in front of the cross saw something he had never seen before.  Was it a look of suffering, was it a moment of glory, was it the weight of all of our sins? 

Years ago, during a quiet time, I asked the Lord what it meant to be like Jesus.  I wanted, as many of us do, to be like him.  What flashed in my mind was the image of Jesus carrying the cross up a steep hill, bent over, bruised and broken, being followed by taunting crowds and stinging whips.  That wasn't the image I wanted to see.  I wanted to be the one healing the sick and feeding the multitudes, not the one being crucified. 

Very few of those following Jesus recognized that he was the Son of God during the years of his ministry.  It was his death that made it obvious who he was.  Something we need to consider if we truly want to be like him.

2010 Post - Mark 15-16:  Crucified Rejected and Alone