Divine Intervention
Quintas lay sprawled on his back in the dirt, arms and legs flung wide. His helmet had tumbled out of reach when he was thrown back. Puzzled, he gazed up into the dusky dawn sky. Then, instinctively, he rolled over to protect his vulnerability, staggered to his feet and collapsed to his knees, his head spinning dizzily.
“What happened?” he wondered. “Where am I?” His eyes met those of Marcus, who was also trying to focus his gaze. Gaius lay between them, lying insensibly on his side. Appius, however, had recovered quicker than his companions. He stood, feet spread apart for steadiness. Eyes wide with fear he called, “Quick! Quintus! Marcus! Come! Gaius is still out cold. We must check on the grave!”
Quintus’ memory shot back into gear and panic gripped his gut. He saw the cave mouth gaping open and the massive stone thrust aside. The body! Was it still inside where it had been laid two days before? Were the robbers they had been guarding against still in sight? Could they make an arrest?
Quintus, Appius and Marcus peered into the gloom. They assured themselves of the facts. The body was gone. There was no sign of robbers, not even fresh footprints in the dust, apart from their own. Then the most serious fact of all sank into their befuddled minds. They had failed in their assignment as guards of a dead body. They had stood on guard outside the sealed tomb for their four hour shift. They had been diligent. They hadn’t shirked, dozed or even slouched for a moment. They had performed their duty as sentries until the unimaginable had happened. A sick dread pervaded each of their stomachs. They knew the penalty for their failure. They were doomed to execution.
Gaius stirred and, hearing the anxious voices of his companions, he stumbled over to them.
“Quintus, You stay here and guard the tomb,” ordered Appius. “Marcus, you go one hundred paces in that direction and look for evidence of robbers. If so, call. Gaius and I will come to your assistance. There may be a large group of them to move that stone. Gaius, you do the same but go in that direction. I will go this way. Arrest anyone you meet. No questions. Then come straight back here.”
Minutes later the Roman guardsmen reconvened at the open grave. Early morning sunlight streamed through the darkness of the cave entrance. The soldiers’ faces were grim as they faced the reality of their situation.
“We should fall on our swords here and now,” said Marcus.
“We should inform the centurion,” suggested Gaius, “he needs to know everything we know.”
“Falling on our swords is cowardly,” said Appius, “I am a trained Roman soldier. I will take my punishment.”
“We took our orders from the Jewish priests, not our Roman Governor,” said Quintus. “Our Governor, Pilate, gave permission for the Jews to have a guard from us, but he doesn’t care; he just wants to wash his hands of the whole affair. I heard him say so myself when I was on guard at the palace on Friday. Why don’t we report to the Jewish Chief Priests? They were the ones who wanted this guard placed. Let them inform the Governor.”
So, the four guards dusted off their tunics, arranged their armor and weapons and marched in military formation to the temple.
“Just before dawn an earthquake startled us as we stood guard,” explained Appius.
“Yes, we felt it here, too,” said one of the chief priests. “It was violent enough to shift the stone from the mouth of the tomb. There was a sudden blinding white light coming from a person. It was he who was rolling the stone away. He seemed heavenly, not earthly like a man, but an angel. The last thing we saw before we blacked out was this man sitting on the rock. But the shock of it all knocked us all unconscious. When we regained consciousness the grave was empty.”
The priests frowned angrily at this account and went aside with their elders to discuss what was to be done.
They returned later with four bags, heavy with money which they handed to the guards.
“Take this money,” said the chief priest. “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” 1 The guardsmen were astounded, but, with military discipline they marched away, money bags dangling heavily from their belts.
“You were right, Quintus,” said Appius, later.
“I am glad we went straight to the Jews and told them all we know.”
“They believed every word!” said Quintus in wonder.
“It’s amazing,” replied Appius, “instead execution we get a reward!”
“It’s a miracle!” said Marcus. “Jupiter be praised!”
“It’s nothing to do with Jupiter,” Appius retorted.
“This is something much greater! The One who created life gave life back to this dead man, Jesus. We haven’t heard the end of this story yet.”
“Well, I’m washing my hands of the whole thing,” said Marcus. “I’ve got my money and been real lucky! I’m going to keep my mouth shut and stay out of trouble. It’s a good omen, that’s all.”
“I remember that night when Jesus was arrested,” said Quintus. “I was on duty at the hearing with Pilate. Jesus said he was the King of the Jews. I would like him to be my king, too.”
“I wonder where he is, now,” murmured Appius.
“Right here, I wouldn’t wonder,” mused Quintus.
“I was at that crucifixion on Friday,” said Gaius.
“Jesus didn’t behave like anyone else I’ve ever seen crucified. He was different. When he was dying he even asked his god to forgive us. Our centurion was there, too. He said, ‘Surely this man was the Son of God!’ 2 Well, he certainly wasn’t the son of Jupiter! God of all gods, I would say. It’s one thing to be immortal, but quite another to be mortal, die and then come alive again!” “I’d like to know more about this teacher,” said Appius. “Extraordinary person, if you ask me.”
by Andrea Kidd
1Matthew 28:13, 14. NIV
2Mark 15:39. NIV
