A New Day

By: Pastor Johnie Akers   

Mark 15:39, 40a, “And when the centurion, which stood over against Him, saw that He so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, ‘Truly this man was the Son of God.’  There were also women looking afar off . . .” Former Secretary of Labor Raymond Donovan, who served in the Reagan administration, once told the story of being on Air Force One.  He was in the back compartment of the jet while President Reagan was in the front.  The phone rang in the back compartment and the voice said, “Mr. Donovan, the president would like for you to join him for lunch.”  Secretary Donovan straightened his tie and thought to himself how important he was to have the president ask him to lunch.  Just as Donovan walked though the doorway in the president’s compartment, the red phone rang, the Presidential Hot Line.  Wow—what a moment to be present!  Reagan picked up the phone and said, “Yes—uh—huh.  Yes—what are my options?”  Donovan’s heart almost stopped.  His mind raced.  Then President Reagan continued, “OK—I’ll have the iced tea!”  Donovan’s ego immediately deflated.  Life has a way of keeping us grounded.  The tendency for us mortals is to think that a position, a role, or in Donovan’s case, an audience defines our importance.  Ultimately we must all realize that we areflesh and blood, and no matter our station in life, we invariably stand on equal footing with one another.  In our Scripture lesson today, a picture is painted of Calvary at the time of Christ’s crucifixion.  Around the cross we observe a Roman centurion, and a group of women followers.  From other gospel accounts we also know religious leaders were present, John the apostle and Jesus’ mother were present, and one cannot overlook the two thieves crucified with Him.  At Calvary, around the cross of Christ, were people representing a cross-section of social strata—yet in the eyes of God, they were all equal.  To borrow an axiom, the ground is level at Calvary.  No matter our station in life, we all need grace and mercy; and these can be found at the cross of Christ.  His day of darkness at Calvary has brought about, for all who receive Him as Savior, a bright new day.