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THE OUTSIDER BELIEVES (MARK 15:37-39)

REFLECTION

“The outsider believes” is the theme for our reflection. The outsider believers meaning a gentile or a non-jew came to accept the truth that Jesus is the son of God. We shall reflect on the fact that Jesus’ death or sacrifice on the cross was for the salvation of all people including the Gentiles or non-Jews.

Dear friend in Christ, the death of Jesus on the cross was for the salvation of all including the Gentiles or non-Jews. The centurion who was a gentile, experienced the death of Jesus and believed in Him. We are told that With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. 38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:37-39) The centurion may have known Jesus from afar and his duty as a Roman soldier required him to supervise the torture and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. He may have observed Jesus throughout his trial, imprisonment, and torture and even heard his final words on the cross. He may have pondered over the entire event that led to the crucifixion. Consequently, he was convinced that “Surely this man was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:39) when he witnessed how Jesus died. It takes a person of sober reflection to come to a state or conviction. What is the effect of the centurion’s conviction and declaration? The effect is found in John 3:16 where it is written that “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” His conviction and declaration are proof of His faith in Jesus Christ.

What is your conviction and declaration about Jesus? We have been baptised and confirmed into the church, read countless Bible verses and heard many sermons about Jesus. We have prayed through Him and experienced His grace over our lives. Let us remember that once upon a time we were also outsiders or Gentiles, hence Paul wrote “… remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands) — 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” (Ephesians 2:11-13) Dear friend, What can we openly declare to the world as our conviction about Jesus? Is Jesus your Lord and Saviour? Is he the Son of God who came to deliver you from sin and eternal death? Have we experienced total transformation after experiencing the love of Christ? There are many outsiders or gentiles out there waiting to experience the love of Christ and it is for this reason Jesus commissioned us saying ““All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:18-20)

In summary, we have discovered that Jesus’ death or sacrifice on the cross was for the salvation of all people including the Gentiles or non-Jews. Shalom.

PRAYER

Thank you Jesus for saving us and finding us worthy of becoming the children of God. May we be empowered by the Holy Spirit to reach out through the power of the Gospel to those who are still outsiders. Amen.