The day a person calls upon the name of the Lord for salvation is the most important time in one’s life. It’s a privilege to be there for someone’s spiritual birth. I was there when all three of my children were born. What a great moment that was. There was a day when dads weren’t allowed in the delivery room. To experience a great miracle of birth is a wonderful experience. I can see why they call it labor, holding her hand, reminding her to breath, watching the monitor to let her know another contraction is on the way. It was exhausting. To experience the new birth with someone is also a beautiful moment. To hear them in all sincerity pray the sinners prayer, “Lord I admit I am a sinner, and I believe Jesus died for me and rose again and today I ask you to save me.” To realize you just witnessed a new birth. By the way, the only way you will ever be a witness to a new birth is to tell someone else about the Savior and the Bible way to heaven.
There are many key players we could talk about today and build a message around. Peter…Judas…Pilate…the thief on the cross…Mary Magdalene …
Today I would like to speak to you about 3 soldiers or groups of soldiers who had different reactions to what they were about to see unfold that day.
Three Soldiers who witnessed Calvary
I. John 19:23-24 The soldier who won the coat
A. 4 soldiers who missed the bigger picture. So close to the Savior.
B. They had their eye on the clothes. Perhaps this was a common practice. One of the perks of the job that you get to keep what the prisoners would leave behind.
C. One thing is for certain they were concerned about their welfare. What can I get out of this deal? But wait, this is such a nice coat. It is a shame to waste such a garment.
D. They were living for what they could get out of life right now.
1. Boast not thyself of tomorrow for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.
a. Speak of some who have died early in life.
2. We work so hard to have a comfortable life and well we should but do not miss the greater picture. Eternity is a long long time and you will spend it in one of 2 places.
E. Many will get to the end of their lives and will see that all the things they have collected over the years do not really matter.
1. The most frustrating thing about getting older is that every time you see an expensive antique, you remember one just like it you once threw away.
F. Christians are not immune to just living for the here and now. Sometimes we forget the most important things in life are eternal. We catch ourselves working long hours to make ends meet, burning a candle at both ends and we miss out on God’s best for our lives.
I counted dollars while God counted crosses
I counted gains while he counted losses
I counted by worth by the things gained in store
But he sized me up by the scars that I bore
I coveted honors and sought for degrees
He wept as He counted the hours on my knees
I never knew until one day by the grave
How vain are the things that we spend life to save
I did not know until my loved one went above
That richest is he who is rich in God’s love
II. There was another soldier. John 19:34
To speed up the execution they broke the legs. Jesus was already dead. Everyone seemed satisfied. They didn’t feel it necessary to take any further action. All except one. In a calloused and inhuman act he thrust a spear into His side.
A. This man perhaps was a bitter angry man.
B. Maybe he hated his job…to be around death all the time
C. Maybe he was having trouble at home, children, maybe he was one who lost the bet for the coat or was having financial difficulty.
D. We are not told the reason why this particular soldier reacted in such a violent manner. Prophecy declared it would happen. But the man did not do know prophecy. It was no surprise to God.
E. This man rejected the very one who came to give him life. He had heard the words that were spoken:
1. Woman behold thy son, Son behold thy mother
2. My God why hast thou forsaken me
3. I Thirst
4. Father forgive them for they know not what they do
5. Today you’ll be with me in paradise
6. It is finished
7. Into thy hands I commend my Spirit
He had seen the events at the cross. He perhaps heard the testimony of the thief on the cross. But even upon hearing and seeing these events his heart was still full of anger and bitterness and he thrust his spear into his side with no other purpose than to mutilate the body.
1. Perhaps the piercing of the side was for the doubters who would say “Jesus did not actually die but somehow revived and musters up enough energy to roll away the stone and knock out the guards and escape.”
F. My prayer is that you do not become so hardened that you miss heaven. Maybe you feel like God has given you a raw deal. Your life just isn’t where you planned it to be.
1. You need God in your life. Without Him you can’t make it. But the only way to the Father is through the Son.
G. Even with the Lord in your life we go through
III. Matthew 27:54 The Soldier who believed
A. Truly this was the Son of God.
1. I Cor 12:3 No man can say that Jesus is Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
2. I John 5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.
B. This soldier (a centurion) has the reaction to Jesus that many of you have had.
C. There is something different about this man.
The story is told of a beautiful dressed woman, her arm bared to the elbow, searching in the mud and slime of the gutter for something. A crowd gathered and then a policeman came.
“What’s the matter, lady? What are you hunting for?” the officer asked.
“I lost my ring,” answered the woman, looking up with tears in her eyes. “It was a diamond ring that my husband gave me. He was a soldier and never made it back. This ring was the only thing I had left that belonged to him.
Only a great love could have persuaded her to mingle with filth.
The Holy Son of God left the glory of heaven, came down to earth and mingled with sinful man. As He hung on the cross our sins were placed on Him that we might be saved.
What is your reaction to the cross and death of Christ? Your eternal destiny hangs in the balance. If you want God in your life now to help you with the burdens of life you must accept the Lord as your Savior today. The whole reason He died was so you could live.
3 men who witness Calvary; one thought more of material things – he got a coat
One was too bitter to see what had just happened
One recognized Jesus as the Son of God
