Roman Centurion

From We Were There

By Sarah A. O'Malley and Robert D. Elmer

ROMAN CENTURION:I was there, a Roman Centurion, part of the most disciplined war machine in the world. I was witness to all the events leading to his death. Even now my guilt haunts me when I remember what we did to Jesus in the courtyard; how we blindfolded him, and played vicious games, striking and spitting in his face. I watched the "King of the Jews" as he took up his cross. It was my official role to make sure he died that Friday. He was just another prisoner, another criminal to be crucified with Roman efficiency. But then I began to study this man.

No, he was more than a man. It was his royal, noble manner, his undaunted courage. I had seen hundreds of men face death on the cross; they cursed and screamed. Jesus was different. He had a strange peace about him that went beyond anything I've ever seen. He even forgave the people under the cross who taunted him.

In the end, Jesus died like a god, with dignity. Under the cross, I was driven to my knees... driven to recognize him for what he claimed to be: the Son of God. Within my heart, I felt the first stirring of faith and I asked Jesus to forgive my cruelty and hardness.

I was there when Jesus died on the cross. Were you there? Did you recognize him, too?