We continue with “Perspectives on Easter” – our series focused on the people who played both major and minor roles in the Easter narrative, as well as the relevant places, practices, artifacts, and traditions related to Easter. Today we feature a first person monologue from Longinus, he name given to the unnamed Roman soldier who pierced the side of Jesus with a lance; who in medieval and some modern Christian traditions is described as a convert to Christianity.
It is unknown whether the Roman soldier was really named Longinus. From Scripture, here is what we know: soldiers (at least two) were tasked with breaking the legs of the men on the crosses to hasten death. The legs of the two thieves crucified with Jesus were broken, but the soldiers did not break Jesus’ legs because they found He was already dead. One of the (unnamed) soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, and blood and water flowed out. John was an eyewitness to these events, and verifies the truth of the account. In this account, we imagine that Longinus was the same centurion whose servant was healed by Jesus in Capernaum.
This monologue is inspired by Matthew 27-28; Mark 15; Luke 23; and John 18-19. There are direct quotes from Matthew 8:8-9 and 1 Peter 2:24.
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