When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said “Certainly this man was innocent”

 

Luke 23:47

Merriam Webster says “transfigure means to give a new and typically exalted or spiritual appearance; to transform outwardly and usually for the better.”

The centurion was a man of duty. A man who was expected to follow directions without question. Yet, at the foot of the cross, the realization that something terribly wrong had taken place occurred. Have you ever wondered what happened afterward? Did the centurion go back to “business as usual” the next day? The day after that? Somehow I doubt it.

The transformation we undergo when we develop a relationship with our Savior changes us. It begins deep inside, and creates in us a new being. The transformation is “usually for the better.”

Sometimes it doesn’t feel like it. Our human nature makes us want to go back to our selfish self. We become too wrapped up in the world around us, and sin becomes prominent… greed, envy, and quite often in these days, division and hate. It is easy to give in; easy to give up. But we have been shown the way by the One who overcame all that for us.

We know where to go when our earthly selves are being led into this hateful, hurtful trap. Back to the One who gave His all for us to be free of it. Back to the foot of the cross where we can say “Certainly this man was innocent” and then allow Him to lead us to total transformation.

From the song by Keith Green:

“Make my life a prayer to you, I want to do what you want me to… No empty words, and no white lies, no token prayers, no compromise”. Amen.