10. The centurion's opinion (pages 18-19)

Text from the book

'I do not know this man you are talking about'.

Jesus' closest friends found it difficult to stand by him when he was in trouble and when he needed them. Even his friend Peter turned his back on him. Three times, Peter denied that he was one of Jesus' followers.

How do you feel when you have let your best friend down?

What can you do to make amends?

Aims of the book

Pupils will:

• explore some of the key sayings of Jesus;
• be aware of what friends and enemies said about him;
• reflect on the layers of meanings in the words.

Learning objectives

Pupils will:

• discover the times when Jesus was identified, by his contemporaries, as a special person;
• reflect on some of the ways in which the suffering and death of Jesus has meaning for Christians.

Background

The centurion was a leader of men, probably having overseen many crucifixions. Why, therefore, did Mark put the words ‘this man was God’s son’ in his mouth? Probably because the centurion was exactly that, a tough soldier who had seen many cruel things in his life. A hard-bitten Gentile who didn’t carry the religious baggage of the Jews. If this tough, hard-bitten Gentile soldier could see the truth, then so could other people, Jews and Gentiles, soldiers and disciples alike, particularly the latter. The words pick up Peter’s affirmation of Jesus’ as Messiah earlier in the Gospel.

Bible references: Mark 15.39

Ways of using the picture

This is another ‘penny dropping’ moment. Do the pupils think it will change the soldier’s way of life?

Has anything happened in the pupil’s life that has caused them to stop and reflect?

In the story, lots of different things happen. Jesus calls out ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ (Psalm 22.1). Read the story and discuss the events. Is it then easier to understand why the centurion said what he did?

Key words

• Crucifixion
• Suffering
• Recognition
• Son of God
• Jew
• Gentile

Activity

You will need

A copy of the Christian Aid poster entitled Maria Cristina Gomez Cross (Ring 0870 78 77 88 for resources catalogue). This image is also available as an A5 card and as an overhead transparency in The Christ We Share, a resource pack produced by USPG (see web site links below for further information).

This spread in the book is one of several in which different people suddenly recognise Jesus as no ordinary person. It’s as though the ‘penny drops’ and they see him in a different light e.g. John the Baptist (see page 5), and Peter (see page 9). On a large piece of paper headed ‘Who is this Jesus?’ collect together descriptions of Jesus from this book and from the pupils’ own ideas to pose answers to the question.

Using the picture of the Maria Gomez Cross, from El Salvador, identify the different aspects of Maria’s life that are depicted on the cross. Explore together why her figure has been placed in the centre of the cross with arms outstretched like Velasquez’ painting of the crucified Jesus on page 20.

The cross was commissioned by her friends after she was murdered. What do the pupils think her friends are trying to say about Maria Gomez’ life and also the parallels between Maria’s story and Jesus’ story?

Information for the teacher

Maria Gomez was a primary school teacher and an active member of the Baptist Church in El Salvador. In the 1980s violence and injustice were rife in El Salvador. Groups of Christians would meet to discuss local problems and try to challenge injustices, often experienced most by the poorest people in the community. Many of these groups were run by women like Maria.

In 1989, as she came out of school, she was abducted by a group of armed men. Her body was later found abandoned by the road side. She had been beaten and then shot dead. Those who knew her and who mourned her death, commissioned this cross to celebrate her life and her faith lived out in ordinary, everyday aspects of her life - working in the fields, in her home, in school and in the local community.

Learning outcomes

Pupils will have:

• considered some of the ways in which Jesus was known by his contemporaries and by people today;
• reflected on some of the ways in which Jesus’ suffering and death has meaning for Christians.

Extension work

Find out about the stories of Christians who, inspired by their faith, have campaigned against injustice and poverty. You could begin by finding out about Oscar Romero and Desmond Tutu.

The Christian Aid resource for pupils at Key Stage 2, Live Thoughtfully, explores issues of social and economic injustice in unit 3.

Web sites

http://www.cms-uk.org/resources2.htm

The Church Mission Society has produced a range of useful resources. Their pack 'A-cross the world' contains 25 different stories linked to crosses from around the world. Each story comes with artwork, craft ideas and insights into the Christian faith.
Included are 30 A5 colour photographs of crosses for use in discussions and displays.

http://www.uspg.org.uk/

The Christ we Share is a resource activity pack designed for local churches, schools and colleges. The pack contains:

• 32 full colour images of Christ from around the world on A5 card
• 12 of these also as A4 acetates
• A booklet, 'theological background and notes on images'. This gives an introduction to the context of third world theologies and commentary for each image.
• 7 activity sheets

See Jesus through the eyes of Christian artists from Africa, Asia and Latin America.

http://www.vincent.nl/?/gallery/paintings/4000/a4034.htm

A large reproduction of Velazquez's Christ on the Cross(featured on these pages of the Encounter Christianity book) can be viewed at this web site..

http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/velazquez/

The Web Museum gives a potted history of the great Diego Velazquez and images of many of his most famous works.

© Alan Brown and Alison Seaman, 2002

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