The Centurion and the Crown of Thorns

  As he turned to go to his son, he was startled to see Antony in the crowd. He looked so small standing among the people, tears rolling down his cheeks. When he saw Marcus looking at him, he wiped his face and ran back to their house.

  Ametrius said, 'Marcus, go home. Comfort your boy. I’ll take care of your wife’s body and the cleaning up of the street. I know where to arrange the funeral. Don’t worry, there will be no evidence tomorrow of this accident. Life will go back to its normal routine. Go and be with Antony. After all, Romana was the only mother he knew.'

  'Thanks, friend, I do need to get home and be with him. I’m sure he’s feeling sad and lonely.'

  'Then you must hurry, Marcus. Antony needs your loving arms around him to feel the assurance of your love. This is a very sad time for him.'

  Marcus hoped that Antony would also become a believer of his new God, that he would feel the crown’s power and that it would take his mind off the tragic event that had caused his mother’s death. And perhaps most of all, he was hoping that his son would find the peace and joy that he had found.

  Marcus just nodded to Ametrius and ran home to encourage Antony that all would be well -- and that he loved him, and neither of them needed to worry, as he was sure Romana did not manage to report him as a traitor to the Romans.

  He also wanted to finish telling his son about the power that came from the crown of thorns.

  Chapter 5

  When Marcus reached home, he found the door open. His son sat at the table with his face buried in his hands, sobs coming from his inner being. The furniture was sparse: four chairs and a table made from wood, plain and simple. No frills, no designs.

  Antony looked up, and through his tears asked, 'Why didn’t Mother love me?' After asking the question, he buried his face in his hands again.

  Marcus took him into his arms. 'Your mother did love you. You were her only child. And, Antony, you did nothing wrong. You must always remember that.'

  'Then why did Mother say that nothing good had ever come out of your marriage?'

  'My son, she was saying those things to hurt me. It was me she didn’t love, not you.'

  Marcus sat at the table next to his son. They sat there for a long time, the son embraced in his father’s arms. Eventually Antony fell asleep leaning on his father, with little sobs coming from within.

  Marcus, feeling this wasn’t the right time to tell Antony about the crown, picked him up and carried him to his bed. He covered him with a light blanket and kissed him on the forehead, whispering in his ear, 'I love you, my son.'

  He returned to the main room of his home, and walked over to the crown. He removed it carefully from the wall and gently laid it on the table, the same place that he had placed it earlier. He sat down, closed his eyes and began to pray.

  'Dear Lord, are You real? Are You truly the one and only God in the Heavens?'

  At that moment, Marcus felt warmth filling his house. He wanted to open his eyes, but he was afraid that if he did the warmth would disappear -- and he was enjoying the moment. He paused, taking in the warmth that he was sure came from the crown. Then he continued to pray while a feeling of peace enveloped his whole body. He realized his new God was there in the very room with him. It was like the God of Heaven was saying, 'Yes, My child, I am real. I am the one and only true God, and I have a great journey for you.'

  Marcus reached over and cautiously touched the wreath on the table, his eyes still closed. This time the power he felt seemed ten times stronger than before. He could actually feel the presence of God coming into him. He felt divine strength overcome him. He couldn’t help it; he had to open his eyes. When he did, he saw that the crown was lit with a wonderful glow.

  Marcus was not afraid, and he did not want to let go. Then again he felt the power surge through his body, and a voice said, 'You can do all things, for I will give you the strength that you will need. Always remember that I will always be with you.'

  He felt as though he was going to pass out. But still he held onto the crown. He did not want the feeling to end.

  He was startled when he heard the voice of Antony. 'Father what’s happening? I’m afraid. You look like you’re going to faint.'

  Antony stood in the doorway staring at him with fear in his eyes.

  'Come here and lay your hand on my hand, the one that’s touching the crown.'

  'Why, Father? I’m frightened.' Tears began to swell up in young boy’s eyes.

  'Don’t be frightened, my son. The God in the Heavens has great plans for us. Come and feel His power.'

  The boy walked over to his father and they sat together. He placed his hand over his father’s hand. 'I feel nothing, Father. Just my hand on yours.'

  Marcus slowly removed his hand and very gently placed his son’s hand on the crown of thorns.

  Instantly a light engulfed the crown and the room. The boy felt something go through his body. At first he wanted to snatch his hand away from the crown, but for some reason he could not. Then he felt the warmth come over him.

  'What’s this feeling, Father? I don’t understand it. What’s happening to me?'

  'That’s the power of God coming upon you. Don’t be afraid, Antony. Just try to enjoy the power. It’s God telling you that He’s with you.'

  To Marcus’ surprise, Antony said, 'I’m not afraid anymore, Father. I feel a strength I have never felt before. Is this truly God’s power flowing through me?'

  ‘Yes,' was all Marcus could reply.

  Slowly the whole light disappeared. Marcus and his son looked at each other with contentment and big smiles on their faces. They both knew the true God was speaking to their hearts.

  After a moment of silence, Antony asked, 'What do we do now, Father?'

  'I’m not sure. I guess we wait for God to reveal to us what He wants us to do.'

  'I’m excited,' Antony shouted. 'I feel different. I can hardly wait to see what plans God has for us.'

  Marcus smiled. 'Me too, my son. Me too.'

  Chapter 6

  Marcus returned the crown to where he had first hung it, next to the entrance door on the protruding nail.

  They stared at it for a long time as if they didn’t want to leave it there.

  'It’s very late, Antony. We should both go to bed so we can rise early to find out what God has for us next. Ametrius has kindly taken over…' He paused. 'Taken over with … with seeing to your mother’s funeral. Tonight we can sleep in the same room. Come and help me bring your cot into your mother’s…' Marcus paused for a second, 'I mean to my room.'

  'Oh, thank you, Father. I was hoping you’d let me sleep close to you tonight. Do you think we can bring the crown into the room with us? I’ll feel safe knowing it’s by our side.'

  'I was thinking the same thing. Go and fetch a long nail and the hammer.'

  Antony ran as fast as he could to find the tools his father needed to put the wreath in its new location. He was shouting out all the way with excitement. 'During the day, Father, we can hang it by the door, and at night while we’re sleeping it must be close to us. I hope you’ll let me stay in your room for a little while longer.'

  Antony ran back to his father with the nail in one hand and the hammer in the other.

  'Here, Father.'

  'No, you hold onto them, Antony. Where do you think we should hang it?'

  The boy looked around, and then smiled. 'Here, Father, right next to this door.' He pointed to the door that led from the bedroom.

  'Perfect place.' Marcus picked up his son. 'Here, take the nail and put it right where my finger is.'

  The boy with much excitement took the large nail and placing it where his father’s finger had been, took the hammer and tapped it in firmly.

  'Good job.' With his son still in his arms, Marcus bent down and picked up the crown. 'Be very careful,' he cautioned. 'You take this side, I’ll take the other and we can hang it on the wall together.'

  As they touched the wreath they again felt the power coming from th
e crown of thorns. The boy was delighted. He had never done anything like this before. When they had hung the wreath on the nail, Antony threw his arms around his father’s neck and said, 'I love you very much.'

  Marcus repeated the same words to his son, assuring him of his love also. After a brief pause, Marcus said, 'Now it’s time for us to go to bed and go to sleep, so we can wake up to a new day and a new beginning.'

  They both fell asleep, the boy a little quicker than his father.

  *

  They were awakened with a loud banging on the door, and the voice of Ametrius shouting, 'Marcus, wake up! I need to talk to you. Something terrible has happened. Quick, Marcus, wake up!'

  Antony jumped up, looking at his father as he wondered what was happening. Antony at once looked over at the crown as if he had expected it to be gone.

  'Marcus, wake up. I need your help!'

  The cry of desperation coming from Ametrius finally got to Marcus. The sleepiness was quickly clearing from his head. He rushed to the door, opened it, and there stood Ametrius with his wife Diana in his arms. Her body looked lifeless. Marcus’ first thought was that she was dead.

  'Help me, Marcus. Diana’s been like this for several hours. I’ve taken her to the village physician, but he said there’s nothing he can do for her. She’s going to die. Soon.'

  'Quick, Ametrius, bring Diana in and lay her on my bed.'

  Ametrius carefully laid his wife’s body on the bed. She looked as though she had already taken her last breath. The two friends embraced each other in tears.

  Unlike Marcus and Romana, Ametrius and his wife Diana had a good marriage, one of love and respect. Even though both of the marriages had been arranged, theirs had been successful. And their home, unlike that of Marcus, was a happy one. They loved their daughter Justina very much.

  'Marcus, what am I to do? I don’t want to lose her. Yesterday at the crucifixion I knew something spiritual had happened to you. I saw it in your eyes and in the look on your face. When the physician said there was no hope for Diana, you came to my mind immediately. Something or someone prompted me to bring Diana here to you. What did you mean when you said that man on the cross was truly the Son of God?'

  Very quickly, Marcus told Ametrius about the crown and its power, and that Romana had been on her way to report him as a traitor to Rome. He also confessed to Ametrius that he felt that it was a miracle from God that his wife’s death by lightning saved his life. He told him about the power that both he and his son received every time they touched the wreath.

  Antony shouted in excitement, 'Look, Father, there’s a light coming from the crown.'

  The two friends looked over at the wall at the same time. The light was dim, but there was a peaceful glow in the room.

  Antony continued, 'Father, Father, I was watching the crown when you were telling Ametrius about its power. When you said the word power, I saw a glow coming from the crown. Isn’t it exciting, Father?'

  Marcus nodded, and said the words, 'Power. Power.' And each time he spoke the word, the crown became brighter and brighter.

  They heard a movement and looked over at Diana. She began to stir. First there was a slight twitching from her body, then her eyes opened slowly as if she had been sleeping.

  As Ametrius moved over to her side, Marcus retrieved the crown. He walked over to Diana and laid it on her body.

  'Please, Diana, don’t be afraid. Take your hands and carefully touch the wreath.'

  She didn’t move, but looking at her husband she asked, 'What’s happening to me. Why am I here?'

  Ametrius said, 'You’ve been in a deep sleep for many hours. The physician told me that there was no hope. I carried you here because I knew something special had happened to our friend Marcus. He’s told me an incredible story about the wreath that’s resting on your body. Please, Diana, do whatever Marcus asks you to do. I believe it’s our only hope for your complete recovery.'

  Diana looked at the smiling face of Antony who was nodding his head. Then slowly she touched the crown with both hands.

  The whole room filled with a bright light, almost blinding them. Gradually the light diminished until it was no longer in the room.

  Diana sat up quickly. 'I feel wonderful. A strong power went through my body. I’m sure that whatever sickness was in me before is no longer there.' Turning to Marcus, she said, 'Surely this story that my loving husband has said seems impossible. Nevertheless, whatever you tell me I will believe, and whatever I must do next I will do.' She looked over at her husband Ametrius.

  'Yes, Marcus,' he said, 'tell us what we must do to follow the God of the Heavens. The One you call the One and only true God, the One who gave us this miracle today by healing Diana. We want to get to know Him better. Tell us, Marcus, how can we do this?'

  Chapter 7

  'Getting to know Him better … that’s it.' Marcus’ voice had a ring of excitement in it. He had just found the answer to his many questions. 'That’s what I must do. Last night just before I went to sleep a thought came to my mind: How can I get to know Jesus better?

  'Then I remembered what I heard someone say yesterday when we executed Him. It was when they were casting lots for His outer garments. I heard a woman from the crowd say that a prophecy had been fulfilled.

  'Then when He shouted out, ‘I am thirsty,’ I heard a man in the crowd say, ‘Another prophecy from the Scriptures has been fulfilled this day.’

  'With that, I heard many of His followers quietly saying Amen, as if they were agreeing to his statement. I wondered at the time what they meant by this. The word another stuck in my mind. When I was in bed last night, that word kept coming back to me. Another, another, over and over until I finally fell asleep.

  'I think now it was the voice of this God whom I have found. He’s telling me to search out the Scriptures that the Jewish people read, so I can get to know Him better. When I find the answers of how this can be done, I’ll share them with you, my friends, so you too can find out more about Him and how you can draw closer to Him.

  'I have to go and find these Scriptures that His followers are talking about, and discover what they mean when they say another prophecy has been fulfilled.

  'My dear friends, would you please take care of Antony while I’m away? Treat him as your own. I’ll leave tomorrow, as soon as Romana has been buried, but I don’t want Antony to witness the burial. Romana trusted in all the Roman so-called gods. Just think, she died without wanting to hear anything about the true God. I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone, but discovering the prophecies is something I must do. I know it’s something that this God … no, my Lord wants me to do.'

  Diana answered, 'Yes, of course we’ll take good care of Antony.' She smiled and looked at the boy. 'We’ll treat him as our own son.'

  Antony said, 'But, Father, I want to go with you. Remember, we said that God, I mean the Lord, had a journey for both of us.'

  'Yes, that’s true and I still believe He does, with all of my heart. But on this journey I must go by myself. There will be other journeys of discovery for the both of us to go on to carry out the leading of the Lord. I’ve no idea where to begin or where it will take me. I don’t know where I’ll sleep or what I’ll eat. Antony, as much as I’d like you to accompany me, I feel I must go alone. If you’re here with Ametrius, Diana and Justina, I’ll know you’re safe. I’ll find many things about our new Lord and return soon to teach the four of you what I’ve learned. Please, son, do this for me. Don’t fight it. Don’t be angry. Rather, be excited about the things I’ll learn and the things I’ll share with you when I return.

  'I’m taking the crown with me. I’m sure it will keep me safe. And while I’m away, always remember I love you very much.'

  'Yes, Father, I’ll stay here as you have requested. I know Ametrius and Diana will watch over me, and I enjoy being with Justina. I’ll miss you and I’ll be praying to the Lord for you every night you’re away. I’ll remember that you love me, as you’ve said. And, Father, ple
ase know that I love you too.'

  Marcus gave his son a hug, then turning to his two friends, he wondered out loud, 'I don’t know where to start. I’ve no idea about where I can find these Scriptures, or the meaning of them, but the Jewish people say they are God’s words to them. Do either of you have any idea how I can begin?'

  Ametrius and Diana shook their heads. Then Ametrius remembered something. 'I know a Jewish family in a village not far from here. They get on well with the Romans. A husband and wife and their daughter. They’re a good family and seem devoted to their God. Come, just as soon as Antony gathers what he needs to stay with us and is comfortable with his quarters, I’ll take you there after Romana has been buried, and introduce you to them. But right now we need to get back and give the good news about Diana to Justina.'

  Marcus gave his son a cloth bag and told him to hurry and take what he needed. 'If you forget anything you can always come back.'

  Marcus went into the cooking area and found another bag almost identical to the one Antony was using. He took the crown from its place and gently laid it in the bag.

  When the boy returned he had his bag slung over his shoulder, with both joy and sadness on his face: joy of knowing he would soon know more about this man called Jesus, and sadness as he would miss his father every day he was gone.

  *

  The next morning, Romana was buried in a short service attended by a few of her Roman friends. Returning from the burial, Marcus secured his house and headed to the village with Ametrius to meet the Jewish family that Marcus was hoping would help him find the answers he was looking for.

  On the way, Ametrius briefed his friend on the family. 'The husband used to be a synagogue official up in Galilee. His name is Jairus. It’s said that his daughter died, but he asked the man called Jesus to come to his home, saying that he knew that his daughter would come alive if Jesus would lay His hands on her.'

  Marcus interrupted his friend. 'Did He, or was the father mistaken? Is she alive to tell us about it?' There was excitement in his voice. He wanted to know all about Jesus.

  'Yes,' Ametrius continued, 'they say that Jesus did raise her from the dead. I’ve no idea what brought Jairus and his family down here to be close to Jerusalem. When the whole family became followers of Jesus, perhaps the Pharisees and other important Jews made trouble and told Jairus he had to give up his position of ruler of the synagogue. I don’t know. Maybe Jairus will tell us when we see him. You’ll meet his daughter Anna soon. She’s about fourteen years old now. They also have a niece living with them. I believe her name is Rae-dona. She’s very beautiful. We’ll not need to talk in Aramaic, as they are good with the Greek we Romans speak.'