“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.” (Mark 15:39)
Our greatest witness to the world will not be in a miraculous display of power; it will be in how they see us respond to suffering. Jesus said: “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die.” (John 12:32,33) The centurion was drawn to Jesus by what he saw and heard from the Sufferer on the cross.
The blows of dozens of cruel soldiers were worth it to Jesus if by those stripes that one centurion would be healed. Can God redeem our suffering? Can He use it for His glory? Another man in charge of an execution was greatly impacted by what he saw from a sufferer. The glory of God was revealed to Saul of Tarsus in the dying witness of Stephen. The seed falls into the ground and dies, but from it much fruit is produced.
Centurions and Pharisees, and unbelievers of all kinds, are still watching. What do they need to see? A miracle? Yes. The greatest miracle of all. The witness of love in the face of hate; patience in suffering; and joy and peace that cannot be taken away by the worst life throws at us. Your greatest sermon is waiting to be preached through the pain you are feeling.