You might say that the day was not unlike any other execution day for the Centurion. He knew there were three criminals that had to be crucified that day, so he would need to see that the personnel was in place to carry out the job. The timbers would need to be brought and tied to each one and then the right amount of men would need to be available to take them to the Golgotha "the place of skulls". The placards would need to be made that listed the crimes that were committed and then they would need to be nailed to the cross above their heads.

Centurion Longenious did not know the men that were condemned to death that day. However, he had heard about some strange happenings related to the one named Jesus. The mysterious healings, demons miraculously fleeing, and the lives of those whom He touched were changed. It seemed that this Jesus had done nothing wrong, but there was a job to do for the Centurion and his men and no time for questions.

The process had begun earlier as the criminals received their appropriate beatings. Now it was time to tie the timbers on and lead them to the place of death. It seemed odd to the Centurion that unlike every man he had led to their death before the one named Jesus never uttered any cruel words, never cursed at the men that were leading them. What was it about this man that He would not be angry and spiteful? Oh well, no time to consider these things there is a job to do!

Soon on the journey one of the men fell under the weight of the timber and when Longenious looked it was the one called Jesus. He quickly told one of his men to get someone from the crowd to carry the weight and move on, there was a job to do, no time for delays. Finally, they reached the hill and the men were nailed each to his own cross. Again, this Jesus never uttered any fowl language. He seemed to fully accept his punishment. "Why He even asked for God to forgive me for what I have done because I didn't know what I was doing." Thought Longenious. He wondered what could make this man so different?

Before he knew it the ground was shaking, the sun was hidden, and darkness filled the land. Terror riddled his bones, as he suspected now that all the things he had heard about this Jesus was true. He was sent by God, He did have the power of the heavens, He was the innocent man! Mark 15:39 records the Centurion's thoughts as he witnessed Jesus breathe his last "Truly this Man was the Son of God!"

It was sad that the Centurion was so wrapped up in his daily activities that he never realized that he was in the presence of Jesus Christ the Son of God all day. I wonder how often we get so involved in our "routine" that we lose sight of the fact that Jesus was, is, and will be by our side always. The lesson of the Centurion cries out to us to stop our hectic lives and jobs for a moment and realize the saving presence of a Savior that promises "I will never leave, nor forsake you." How often do we leave Him behind in our hurry up and go life style? Forgetting all the while that if it were not for this life giving Savior, we would have no lifestyle to forget Him in. Today, take a moment to cherish the reality of the omnipresent Savior by your side. Let us learn from the Centurion that we need to look up from our routines and look to the Savior, the daily source of our life!