“they kept watch over him there” [Matthew 27:36(NIV)]

“they kept watch over him there”. We are not told why the soldiers felt it necessary to watch Jesus as he died on the cross. They had done their job, shared the spoils just as they had done many times before. But they specifically sat down so as to watch Jesus as he died. Perhaps too much was going on for them to just walk away. Whatever the reason, what they witnessed as they watched caused them to acknowledge, just a few hours later, “Surely he was the Son of God!” Seeing Jesus as a miracle-worker or incredible teacher is not sufficient. He can only become our Saviour and Lord when we thank Him for dying on the cross of Calvary for our sin. It’s not a pretty sight but it’s a glorious victory that brings forgiveness and freedom.