Roman soldiers were known for their common sense, their courage and their self-control, but when that Roman centurion saw Jesus Christ die on the cross, when he saw the miracle that took place of the darkness and the earthquake, what did he say? “Truly this was the Son of God.” It’s rather interesting to see how different groups of people responded to Calvary. The religious leaders mocked the Lord Jesus when He was on the cross. You’d think they would’ve been studying the Old Testament Scriptures and saying, “Is there something in this book about what’s going on here?” Oh had they only read Genesis 22, Abraham and Isaac going up on the mountain. Had they read Psalm 22, had they just read Isaiah 53. Alas, the religious leaders were blind to Him and they mocked Him.

The common people watched Him. As they went by, they said, “Isn’t this interesting.” Here’s Jesus of Nazareth, and He claimed to be the Son of God. Look at that inscription over the cross. “This is Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews.” Why would a king die? Why would He be wearing a crown of thorns? The common people watched Him. The soldiers had gambled before Him. That was a part of their pay. They took the few clothes that Jesus had and they gambled for them. But the centurion acknowledged Him. I don’t know what God was doing in the heart of that centurion during those six hours Jesus was on the cross. Certainly he heard the Lord Jesus say, “Father, forgive them. They know not what they do.” Certainly he heard His cry, “Why hast Thou forsaken Me?” Surely he heard the Lord Jesus say, “It is finished. Father into Thy hands I commit My spirit.” I think the combination of all of these experiences got to this man’s heart and he said, “This is the Son of God.”

That’s where you start. You start by acknowledging Jesus is the Son of God, and then you believe in Him. John wrote and said, “These things are written that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and that believing you might have life through His name” (John 20:31). Here was Jesus laying down His life and here was the centurion taking up His life. Don’t be a spectator. Don’t be a mocker. Rather confess Jesus Christ. Take your stand with Him. Receive eternal life.