“And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots. Then they sat down and kept watch over him there. And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, ‘This is Jesus, the King of the Jews…’ And those who passed by derided him… So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him… And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way.
“Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?..’ And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.
“And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, ‘Truly this was the Son of God!'” Matthew 27:35-37,39,41,44-46,50-54
The morning had likely been ordinary for the soldiers enlisted to crucify the criminals that fair day. But there was something different about this one. His look, His demeanor. His peaceful countenance. His calm was such a contrast to the vitriolic, cruel crowd. Watching Him changed them forever.
Watching over Jesus changes us too. We cannot help but see His serene and absolutely powerful authority. His perfect yieldedness to His Father’s will. His determination to finish what He’d left the glory of heaven to do for us. His wordless suffering as He suffocated, bearing the full weight of our sins. And His love! What wondrous love!
Do I squirm from keeping watch over Jesus, lingering at the cross, the bleeding nail wounds and excruciating vileness of my sin and its fallout? Am I angry that He did not resist, nor stop loving and administering grace? Do I pridefully look on only at a distance, unwilling to face the horror He endured for me? (Matthew 27:55; Luke 23:32-34)
Do I chafe at watching with Jesus, eager to get on with my day, or task, impatient to wait for His direction, or filling? Would I take time to watch how He would enter and execute my day, then go forth in His countenance and strength?
“O teach me what it meaneth,
That cross uplifted high,
With One, the Man of Sorrows,
Condemned to bleed and die!
O teach me what it cost Thee
To make a sinner whole;
And teach me, Savior, teach me
The value of a soul!
O infinite Redeemer!
I bring no other plea;
Because Thou dost invite me
I cast myself on Thee.
Because Thou dost accept me
I love and I adore;
Because Thy love constraineth,
I’ll praise Thee evermore!” ~ Lucy Bennett (1850-1927)
My Lord Jesus, may I watch over You throughout my days, that they be filled with awe and praise.
As the rain and snow 