Words Remembered

Today is day two of our fifteenth week reading the Bible through together. Our scriptures today are:  Judges 9-11; Luke 23; Psalm 17.

"Truly this man was the Son of God."

I remember when I was a kid, watching the 1965 movie about Jesus, entitled The Greatest Story Ever Told.  John Wayne got top billing in the picture, but he only had one line.  At the crucifixion, with wind whipping his Roman cloak, a shadowy silhouette of John Wayne says in that old cowboy's voice, "Truly this man was the Son of God."

And that's it.  One line.  Luke 23:47 (ESV) says, "Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!”  Matthew's version says, "When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God (27:54 ESV)!”  Mark 15:39 (ESV) says, "And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”

Today, I have just one question.  If you were remembered for only one thing that you said, what would it be?    Nathan Hale said, "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."  Nobody remembers anything else that he said.  If nobody remembered anything you ever said except for one thing, what would it be?  I hope it would be an expression of faith or a word of encouragement.  I hope it would be something worth saying.  The centurion's words went down in history, even though he had no idea anyone would remember what he said.  Maybe decades from now after you're long gone, your family members will quote you as saying something witty or compassionate or wise.  Likely, you never would have intended this quote to be remembered for generations.  I hope those words remembered from your lips wouldn't be something biting or rude or critical.  I hope those words remembered would build up those around you and inspire them to trust in God.