March 12th, 2026 Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

SURELY THIS WAS THE SON OF GOD

Matthew 27:54 “When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely He was the Son of God!” 

What were they to make of all that happened? The seasoned Roman soldiers had most likely seen it all, but they were not prepared for what they had just witnessed. Night during the day! An earthquake! The words of Jesus from the cross. It was more than they could comprehend and yet the Holy Spirit moved the heart and voice of the centurion to exclaim, “Surely He was the Son of God!” 

The centurion was probably the least likely person to speak these words concerning Jesus. Roman soldiers were rough and tough. In today’s words, they did not need religion. Yet, the centurion exclaimed, “Surely He (Jesus) was the Son of God!” 

The Holy Spirit was at work throughout Jesus’ sojourn on earth. The strangest people were brought to faith in Jesus such as the Samaritan woman at the well, tax collectors, lepers, and the like. This time it was a Roman soldier. To be more specific, he was a leader of soldiers. To think that He exclaimed, “Surely He was the Son of God!” 

He did, however, utter these words. If He had not, who would have? Jesus’ words to the Pharisees on Palm Sunday answer this question. Jesus said to them when they demanded that He would silence His disciples who were shouting “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in Heaven and glory in the highest!” (Luke 19:38) Jesus then said in regard to silencing His disciples, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” (Luke 19:40)  

The Good News of God’s love for sinners through Jesus Christ cannot be stopped by anyone or anything. God used the centurion to spread the message about His Son. He uses you also. 

Prayer: Use me, O Lord, to spread the Gospel for Jesus’ sake. Amen. 

Refrain:  Go tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and ev’rywhere;  
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born! 

While shepherds kept their watching
O’er silent flocks by night,  
Behold, throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light. Refrain: 

The shepherds feared and trembled
When lo, above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed our Savior’s birth. Refrain: 

Down in a lonely manger
The humble Christ was born;
And God sent us salvation
That blessed Christmas morn. Refrain: 

Go Tell It On The Mountain // LSB 388

Public Domain