I thought it strange they ordered me,
To post a watch all night.
What could they fear? The man was dead,
And would not soon take flight.
But I was not to question why.
My orders were so clear.
"When sunlight breaks upon these hills,
Their King must still be here."
My men secured the sepulcher,
Which was no easy task.
They rolled a giant stone in place
And sealed His fate at last.
I gave the order, "Stay alert,
And no excuse create.
For if, I find that you have slept,
You'll surely meet His fate."
The dawn's first light came all too soon,
A sunrise bright indeed,
But, when I came upon the tomb
My men were on their knees.
"Centurion!" they cried aloud,
"Our eyes, we could not see.
Nor could we move from where we stood.
Have mercy on us, please".
I quickly turned and found the stone
No longer in its place.
It had been moved, but by whose hand?
This deed had left no trace.
I tried to hide my trembling hands
For I was duty bound,
But once inside the darkened tomb,
A shroud was all I found.
A voice, from whence, I do not know
Then spoke these words to me.
"Why seek the living with the dead?
Rejoice and go in peace."
At once my trembling heart was stilled.
I worried not my fate,
But heard again, the multitudes
Outside the Golden Gate.
They shouted out "Hosanna" and
Proclaimed Him as their King.
"Jerusalem shall rise again.
Great armies He shall bring."
But He spoke not of waging war,
Revolt or civil strife.
Instead, He taught of how God's love
Should guide us through this life.
His message was for all to hear,
Though many listened not.
"Just love your neighbor as yourself.
Cast not an angry lot."
"Bind not yourself to worldly wealth.
It will not buy you peace.
Nor can it grant you heaven's pass
Or cause your worries cease.
Just place your faith and trust in Me
And love your fellow man.
Then I shall let my Father know
When at His throne you stand,
That you have walked in righteousness
Right by your Master's side
And you shall enter Heaven's gates,
Forever to abide."
Now this enraged the temple priests.
His claims, they said, were lies.
They called His teachings blasphemous,
And pondered His demise.
This Nazarene, this carpenter,
Is causing such unrest.
He threatens our authority
And must be put to death.
Their devious conspiracy,
Implied a threat to Rome,
But Pilate found no guilt and said
"Go, try Him on your own."
A guilty verdict preordained
With ridicule and scorn,
Found soldiers placing on His head
A royal crown of thorns.
So He who healed the sick and lame
And caused the blind to see
Was lead away and crucified
To die in agony.
But even in the grip of death
Compassion filled His heart.
He asked His Father up above,
Forgiveness to impart.
Now having witnessed all these things,
I knew His words were true.
He is the risen Son of God
And offers, life anew.
I cast aside my protocol,
My legion rank, and creed.
And chose instead this life of hope,
Of love and perfect peace.
Then kneeling on that holy ground,
I wept to know these things,
And gave my Roman soldier's heart
To Jesus Christ the King.
