Mt. 27:54-56 - Unlikely Witnesses at the Cross

     In addition to the ancient holy people who were resurrected to declare Jesus the Messiah, Matthew lists other unlikely witnesses--the Roman centurion in charge of the crucifixion and his soldiers.
     They had watched Jesus from the time they took charge of Him for execution, and quickly noticed how different He was. Jesus was not cursing or swearing like the two other men scheduled to die that day. He did not seem angry, or afraid, or demeaned. He carried Himself with a God-like dignity, even while suffering the greatest pain.
     The soldiers heard when Jesus prayed for them as they nailed Him to His cross, "Father, forgive them; for they don't know what they are doing."
     They heard the Jewish leaders and common people mocking Jesus, but in the taunts, they pieced together Jesus' claim to be the Messiah and Son of God.
     They listened to Jesus answer the dying thief's request for salvation and provide for His grieving mother.
     They saw the supernatural darkness cover the land Jesus’ last hours of suffering. Then they heard His cry of abandonment, followed only a short time later by His shout of victory. And then immediately an earthquake.
     Suddenly, just like for the repentant thief, it all became clear--Jesus was Who He claimed to be! He was the Son of God."
     This tough commander and his men, battle hardened though they were, still had hearts open to evidence, while the religious leaders and teachers rejected it all. Scripture says, "When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, 'Surely He was the Son of God!" (Mt. 27:54).
     All through His Gospel narrative, Matthew loves to show how it is unlikely people who accept Jesus for who He is. The religious leaders reject Him, but tax collectors, Roman soldiers, prostitutes, lepers, the demon possessed, and centurions accept Him. Those who realize their need of God seem to find Him better than the religious ones who depend on their goodness and knowledge. God seems very open to the broken and unreligious.
     Another group of unlikely witnesses are the women who followed Jesus to His crucifixion. Matthew describes them: "Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's sons" (Mt. 27:55-56).
     In many cultures women have been degraded in one way or another, but Jesus always treated them with honor and respect. He welcomed the tired mothers who brought their children for blessing, when the disciples wanted to send them away. He forgave and restored to dignity the woman caught in adultery, used as a sexual pawn to trap Him. Women play a prominent role, not a lesser role in the Gospels.
     Creator of woman, Jesus comes also as Redeemer and liberator to her, and women sensed His deep respect and compassion for them. He let them minister to Him and for Him. He elevated them above the cultural norms of the day and they responded in gratitude and service.  
     "Many women followed Him." I've noticed through the years how often women fill the church and carry the ministries. They come in larger numbers to prayer meetings and linger for spiritual conversation while men often are absent or not connected. Is this because women feel their need more or are more used to acknowledging their need of God's help while men are more self-dependent?
     I don't know. But Jesus welcomes women and Roman centurions too. All who come to Him will be received and blessed.

Pastor Michael Brownfield