3.02.2004

Surely this man was the Son of God!
After Tim and I talked about the movie a little more last night, we both agreed on one thing. One of the most powerful 'lines' was omitted. As Jesus dies on the cross, the Bible says this...

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 15:39 NIV)

Of the many people Christ encountered on the road to Calvary, of those at the crucifixion, of those that are a part of this story, this man stands out in my mind (as does the criminal on the cross). This soldier had beaten Christ's body, had spit on him, leered at him, and hated him. He watched as he was crucified. He probably drove the nails and forced the crown of thorns on his head. And then there he was, standing on the brink of eternity. The ground shook, the curtain was torn, the Holy of Holies was opened, and everything changed. He looked at the lifeless body of Christ and realized the Truth...

...It wasn't until after the movie that I realized the omission. It wasn't until I was able to process and talk about it a little more that the realization came. Why was this left out? Sure it's just one verse, but how powerful. To be the tormenter...to be the villain, and to realize that you just crucified the Christ...wow. I can't imagine what was going through that man's head. He is there. He knows. Did he repent? Did he believe? Will we see him in heaven? So many questions...

Go here to learn more about the imagery, symbolism, and more from "The Passion of the Christ."

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