Because the actions of Christ upon the cross and the supernatural events surrounding Golgotha this centurion came to a truthful realization, “Certainly this was a righteous man”. We would probably be safe to say that most likely this soldier had never met the Christ from Heaven until this day. But it did not take long for this man to realize the one hanging upon the center cross was not just an ordinary man. Christ was righteous even on His worst day. He did not die for any sin that He committed, for there were none. “For he [God] hath made him to be sin for us...” (II Corinthians 5:21). However Christ died “that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (II Corinthians 5:21). Yes, He became sin for us, “the just for the unjust” (I Peter 3:18).

    But how righteous can Christ be? Of course my words and thoughts will fail, “for now we see through a glass darkly”. (I Corinthians 13:12). Perhaps the Holy Spirit will enlighten us so we may search the “deep things of God” ( I Corinthians 2:10).

    He is perfect within and without. There are no flaws or imperfections. You can look again and again and still no errors or inconsistencies will appear in His character. He has His own righteousness. If you are it is only because He is. He is the “fairest of ten thousand” the redeemer of your soul! The angels in Glory worship Him. Even the demons fear and tremble. Ask the devil when Christ defeated him in the wilderness. Every man that ever lived has fallen, but not the Savior. “Certainly this was a righteous man.” The mark was set high and He reached it, the mountain was tall but He climbed it, the ocean seemed fierce but He walked upon it. Put Him on trail and you will see. Put His words against the skeptics and they will also say, “Never man spake like this man.” (John 7:46). Attempt to judge Him and you will be as Pilate, “I find in him no fault at all” (John 18:38). There were even many that brought accusation against Him, “but their witness agreed not together.” (Mark 14:56).

    However the world hates Him. They hate Him because He is righteous. His light shines in darkness and reveals the sins of man. For this they hate Him. Not because He is wrong, but because He is good. This is the reason they crucified Him. “And this is condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19).
                                                                                                                                                             Josh Greene
                                                                                                                                                                8-16-09