I remember that dark, dreary day when I was ordered to guard the tomb of Jesus. It was the day before the Sabbath, the loneliest day of all my life and I was deeply saddened though I knew not why. I did not know what to think of this man called Jesus, though on numerous days when He spoke in the temple, I was one of His listeners. He said whosoever followed Him would gain eternal salvation. My mother, my sister, and my girlfriend, Fabia, were all Christian followers of Him. More than anything else, Fabia wanted me to become a Christian.

As I approached the tomb of which I was to guard, dressed in my Roman soldier armor, I saw the bloody Jesus being laid in the dark tomb. Women were crying. I couldn’t look. The tomb was sealed, and there I was left to stand with my fellow Roman soldiers, Otho and Jovian. Hundreds of thoughts were quickly whirling through my head. What will happen to the Christians? Will they become Jews? I cannot become a Christian and follow a dead man! Was Jesus innocent? Did Pilate know what he was doing? I stood in front of the tomb for hours, but it seemed like years. While Otho and Jovian excitedly discussed various matters, I silently stood and stared off into space.

Night came and Otho, Jovian, and I took shifts during the night. I slept a dreamless sleep. I awoke and was full of fear and sorrow. I did not know why I felt that way. I had witnessed hundreds of deaths before, but could not bear the heavy weight of this man being dead. The day was uneventful and seemed to linger forever. When night finally came, the three of us drifted off to sleep. Then, when it was nearly dawn, the ground starting to shake. The tomb walls began to crumble. The heavy stone that sealed the entrance to the tomb rolled away and a heavenly bright light from within almost blinded me. I saw a figure walking out of the tomb. The next thing I remember was waking later that morning with a sore body. I was terrified. Otho and Jovian were not in sight. I ran to the tomb to look inside. I was astonished at what I saw, for there in the tomb was nothing but the burial cloth, stained with blood. This was truly a miraculous event and I was privileged to witness it with my own eyes. Up to now, I had had mixed feelings about Christianity. Now, I was sure Christianity was meant for all mankind to be saved. I needed to amend my life and become a Christian like my mother, my sister, Fabia, and so many others. Throwing off my armor, I ran to Jerusalem to find the risen Christ. On the way, I bumped into someone. I looked up into the kind eyes of a man with long brown hair and a beard. He was dressed in shining white and his hands and feet were torn with holes.

“Peace be with you, Marcius,” He said.