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| The Centurion and Brutus watching the Jews approach. |
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| No, you can't come in. |
They were a professional tough fighting force and stuck together, especially under the regular ostracism of the locals.
The Centurion and his second in command were at the arrest of Jesus and noticing the potential for trouble, hurried back to report to Pilate.
Unsurprisingly, first thing next morning the Jews were at the front demanding to see Pilate with a prisoner in tow.
The Jews did not want to go into Pilate's palace as that would mean they were defiled for the important Passover feast. So they demanded Pilate come out to them.
While Pilate and Caiaphas negotiated and played their battle of wits, the Romans watched carefully, knowing that the powder keg could blow at any moment.
The soldiers were relieved when Pilate sent the troublemakers to Herod, but they soon returned as angry as ever.
Then Pilate tried the "Set a prisoner free for the Passover" gambit, but the wrong criminal was chosen.
Then they were told to scourge the source of all the troubles, this Jesus guy.
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| Bow down before the pretender king! |
The Roman Soldiers let out all their frustrations and cruelty on this pretender King who had caused this disturbance of the peace. They were told to only whip him, but they went overboard and gave Jesus a cloak and a crown of thorns and a heavy scourging.
Once the Centurion and Pilate saw the results they weren't happy and the soldiers were not in the good books of management.
Finally Pilate bowed to the inevitable and agreed for Jesus to be crucified.
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| We will all go to Calvary. |
The Roman Soldiers now had to escort Jesus and two other criminals for the walk from Pilate's Palace to Golgotha just outside the city where crucifixions were done.
All the way they had to keep Jesus moving. Even though Jesus was obviously a strong man, being a carpenter and fit man, he had suffered greatly at the hands of the Temple Guards and the Roman scourging.
Not only was the gradually ebbing strength of Jesus slowing down the procession but the continual interruptions by the crowd and antagonism of the Temple Guards didn't help.
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| Another clash of force! |
Jesus fell three times, was met by his mother, Mary, the Centurion had to get a bystander to step in and help Jesus carry the cross, some local woman, Veronica, stepped up when the guards were distracted and wiped Jesus' face and at another time a whole group of women rushed forward to weep at the feet of Jesus.
This was supposed to be a simple task of marching with the cross up the hill.
Finally they made it to the place of crucifixion and rather than just tying Jesus' hands to the cross, they nailed him on.
Even once the criminals had been raised, the Roman Soldiers still had to be on guard as there were members of the crowd and the Temple authorities hanging around, insulting Jesus and keeping the crowd angry.
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| Nailed to the cross. |
At one point even the criminals on either side of Jesus were arguing with each other about whether Jesus was the messiah or just a pretender.
The Centurion had watched all this from the start to the end and he pondered all these happenings and listened to what Jesus said and how he responded to all the accusations and insults.
And once Jesus had died, he was forced to announce, 'Truly this man was the Son of God."
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| And blood and water came out of His side. |
The Roman Soldiers had more to do. They had to take down the body and carry it to the tomb.
And then with the Chief Priests complaining to Pilate, they had to guard the tomb from the disciples of Jesus - who had all run away!
The Roman Soldiers are a central part to the re-enactment, providing much of the colour and energy once all the talking is over. It is a job for younger and fitter fellows as they need to offset the unruly Temple Guards as well as lift and take down the cross safely and carry Jesus to the tomb.
Thanks to all of our Roman Soldiers!
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