Bounded

"This man really was God's son!" Mark 15:39.

Thus the confession of a hard-hearted Roman officer charged with Jesus' execution. He stood right there, right in front of Jesus through darkened daylight. His eyes witnessed the last ragged fall of Jesus' struggling chest. His ears witnessed the loud cry pressed out with that breath. He had seen the sponge dripping with sour wine. He heard Jesus' forsaken lament to God. He heard the bystander taunts. He heard Jesus' agonized conversations with John, with his mother, with his crucified fellow, with his executioners. With God. With God. With his Father, God. The officer had ensured the sacrifice. And now, heart-softened by how Jesus died, the soldier confessed his witness.

We meet with a brother or sister under far less dramatic moments yet to confess Jesus, Savior and Lord. And together we give thanks to God for mercy bounded only by Jesus' blood.