One Moment In Time

So when the centurian and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, "Truly this was the son of God!"
Matthew 27:54 NKJV

This Roman centurian, and those with him, have been a witness to history.  They had just been witness to the execution of the worlds ONLY truly innocent man.  Not only that, but the Christ had just breathed his last, giving his life for all mankind, including those who had eventually crucified him.  In one moment in time, the entire dynamic of the world had changed.  Mankind had gone from sinful to redeemed, in that one moment.  I find it interesting that it took the power of almighty God to convince these men who stood guard over our savior.  Certainly, Jesus had predicted many times the events that these men had just been witness to.

"Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, and deliver Him to the gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify.  And the third day he will rise again."
Matthew 20: 18-19 NKJV

Was it because of these predictions that the Romans decided to put a guard upon Jesus' crucifiction and tomb?  No, although the words of Jesus rang true with many people, for these centurians he was just another fake prophet of the Jews whose lands they occupied.  Even after his crucifiction and burial, these Roman soldiers remained to guard the messiah of the universe!  Well, if death could not hold our Lord, then certainly the best Roman legions of the day wouldn't be able to either.
Had they known, these Romans could have asked our Lords forgiveness in the same time it took for Jesus to breathe his last breath, and he would have blessed them.  This is exactly where many people stand today, on the outside looking in.  They've heard the stories of Jesus as one of historys great men, but that's as far as it goes.  As the scriptures tell us, there is indeed only one hope, one truth and one way!  

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.  If you had known me, you would have known my Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.
John 14: 6-7 NKJV

When we know Jesus, we know the Father who sent him as well.  For from scripture tells us that Jesus was with his father from the begining.

He is the image of  the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.  All things were created through Him and for Him.  And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
Colossions 1: 15-17 NKJV

It doesn't take long at all.  In one moment Jesus breathed his last and gave up his spirit willingly for us all.  In one moment we can choose to accept the free gift he has given us.  Is one moment worth an eternity?

~Scott~