In Matthew Chapter 27 verse 49 and 54 we are told:
But the rest of them said, “Let us see whether Elijah will come to save Him.”
… 54 Now the centurion, and those who were with him keeping guard over Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the things that were happening, became very frightened and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”
The crowd surrounding Jesus as He was being crucified, were shouting, murmuring and talking amongst themselves about what they were witnessing. Some asked, ‘maybe we will see Elijah – the great prophet – come and rescue Jesus’.
But, were the crowd really hoping that Jesus would be rescued by Elijah?
I don’t think that was their expectation at all. The reason? They didn’t see Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. If they did, they wouldn’t make such a statement at all.
Instead they looked upon Jesus as sport.
“Let’s see what happens”
“Wow, look at that”
“I wonder what He’s saying?”
“Wait, what will happen next?”
Just like you and I sit down and watch a TV drama, or catch a game of sport on a Saturday afternoon, the crowd was watching the life of Jesus being given up as entertainment. This was the a reality show, well before anything on the 21st Century variety existed. None in this conversation saw Jesus as their king.
Verse 54 tells a different story. It shows us someone who did see Jesus as He truly is – Lord and King.
“Truly this is the Son of God”
This person was looking at the same scene that the rest of the crowd did. They were looking at the same Jesus, the same crucifixion. But what they SAW was completely different.
Where one watched to entertained and amused, the other saw with their spiritual eyes open and surveyed the wonder of Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
How we SEE Jesus is critical. Both view points came from the crowd around the cross. Being around the cross is NOT ENOUGH!
What do you see when you look at Jesus? Someone that causes a mild interest or a side entertainment? Or the sovereign ruling, reigning King and Lord of your life?
PRAYER: Father, I humble myself before you. I bring my life under your Lordship today and re-establish your Son Jesus as King of my life. Let your Kingdom come to my life and give me fresh eyes to see the wonder and glory of Jesus today. Thank you Lord, In Jesus name, Amen.