When Jesus’ sordid crucifixion was over, even many in the crowds “returned home, beating their breasts.” This action not only showed extreme horror, but also the understanding that something had gone terribly wrong. When the great empire can crush its most innocent citizen, when ruthless power can kill the weak to make a statement, when injustice triumphs over justice, when wrong wins over right, when lies keep winning over truth, something has gone abhorrently wrong. The centurion knew it, as did the good people in the crowd. It still happens today. Is it not time to smite our chests?
“When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, ‘Certainly this man was innocent.’ And when all the crowds who had gathered there for this spectacle saw what had taken place, they returned home, beating their breasts.” Luke 23:47-48 (NRSV)
(From “The Master’s Table”, by H. Lamar Smith.)
