Sermon:
Rev. George R. Dillahunty
685 Grant Avenue
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23452-3047

April 15, 2011

Text: Matthew 27:54 (King James Version)

"Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, ’Truly this was the Son of God.’"

Topic: A Roman Centurion!

The Roman Centurion was a professional soldier - a Roman officer in command of a century - one hundred (100) men! When not in combat, the Centurion, as one of his collateral duties, oversaw executions - which, as a general rule, were done by the sword for Roman citizens and by crucifixion for non-Roman citizens!

The late great English novelist, William Makepeace Thackeray (1811 - 1863), once said, "Life is a nursery - its training place for the destinies of eternity."

Throughout history ("His Story"), soldiers have been either despised or revered - despised by those they have come to conquer - and, revered by those whom they protect and defend! We are often shocked at the actions of war - itself a product of hatred and sin - which forces soldiers to participate in them - yet, we are often amazed by the courage that is required for them to engage in such actions!

Those of us who have never experienced the horrors of warfare - the terrible actions of combat - simply are unable to comprehend the toll that warfare takes on male; or, in today’s military, female soldiers! There are the combat-related injuries, such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), amputated limbs; and, other physical ailments that result from their combat service in the military - and, there are the non-combat related problems - such as physical problems that result from the intensive training that they receive!

Once a year, on Memorial Day, we show our appreciation for the significant sacrifices that our military people make for us! We stand and applaud them - we shed tears of appreciation for them - we honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice - those who have given their very lives for us - and, we show concern for the many "wounded warriors" - all of whom have endured much for our safety and protection! It is a tribute that we ought to give to them each and every day of our lives - not just once a year!

You got it right, my brothers and sisters, "endured" is the right word - for a soldier’s task is far from easy - it is often extremely difficult and unpleasant - long periods away from family and loved ones - periods of deprivation, during combat, in which the basic necessities that we enjoy every day are lacking! It is a life that often seems barely civilized - alternating between acts of valor and acts of barbarism! The soldiers life is also an existence that is filled with fear and danger - especially in light of the fact that on many occasions, during combat, soldiers have no idea where the danger is coming from - sometimes, even coming from "friendly fire!"

Another frightening aspect of life as a soldier is the constant reality of being faced with death which often leads to what is commonly referred to as "foxhole prayers" - desperate cries to Almighty God - even from soldiers who claim to be atheists - or, who are not always convinced that Almighty God is present! To live continually in the shadow of death is a difficult thing - to say the very least - however, the other aspect