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Soul of the Warrior Drama Ministries |
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Confession of Justus Script Centurion Justus, trailed by at least four armed Roman soldiers
bursts thru the rear doors of the building. Moving briskly down the center isle
(They are Romans, and move with an air of authority). They must take the
crowd back 2000 years from the door to the stage. Justus: Orator! Orator! Ego alloquar continuo! (In Latin:
Speaker, I must address the assembly immediately) Justus: (as the soldiers reach
the front of the church) Consiste! (In latin: Halt) Justus: (to soldiers 3 and 4)
Tutela Foris! (In Latin: Guard the doors) (to soldiers 1 and 2 who go to the left and right of the stage and guard the “doors”
even if there are none there) Subsquor! (In Latin: Follow me.) (Justus begins to approach
the pulpit, not waiting on permission, soldiers 1 and 2 post behind the pulpit, 4-6 feet behind and to the right and left
of center stage they do not pause to wait for permission or when Justus pauses). Speaker: (To Justus)
Address this assembly? Certainly Centurion! (to crowd as he leaves center stage) Be calm, be calm, please do not panic, we don’t
know why they are here…(Speaker sits onstage, obviously scared of the Romans). Justus: (as he walks to podium,
he pauses halfway up. Soldiers 1 and 2 have posted on either side of the podium/center
stage at attention) Sedo…Sedo… (in Latin, be calm, be calm) Salvete, Nomen mihi est Iustus Rustius Longinus,
Primipilus Cohortatis Primae Italicae Legionis Sextae, Ferratae Fidelas Constans, Imperium de Roma. Unum iam annum gratissimum est mihi ducere custodes proprios pro
Gaio Pontio Pilato Praefecto Provinciae Iudaeae. No-men me-hee est
Yus-tus Rustius Lon-gee-nus Pri-me-pee-lus Co-hor-ta-tis Pri-mye I-tal-i-kye Le-gee-o-nis
Sex-tye. U-num Yam an-num gra-tis-si-mum est mi-hee du-ke-re cus-to-des pro-pree-os pro Gye-o Pon-ti-o Pee-la-to Pry-fek-to Pro-win-kee-eye Yu-dye-eye.
(in Latin, I am Justus Rustius
Longinus, First Centurion of the Italican Cohort of the Sixth Legion of the Empire of Rome.
For the last year I have been assigned to command the personal bodyguard of Pontius Pilatus, Governor over Judea.
) Soldier: ( interrupting
on Roma) Excuso Centurio, facio non latinus (in Latin, Excuse me Centurion, they do not speak latin) Justus: ohh! Venia (in Latin, forgive me)… Forgive me! I forget that most of you do not speak my native tongue. Please
be calm, you will understand. Pastor, fear not, my men and I are here to tell
our story…nothing more. Be not afraid, for they too are witnesses. (To all soldiers) Ordenum servate’, sedo, pilum (In latin: Keep you position, relax spears, on “pilum” (pronounced “peeloom”) standards dip forward, spears
cross body, soldiers assume a relaxed position.) Justus: I am Justus Rustius Longinus, First Centurion of the Italican Cohort of the Sixth Legion of the Empire
of Rome. For the last year I have been assigned to command the personal bodyguard
of Gaius Pontius Pilatus, Praetor over Judea. I stand before you today a man
once condemned by God, for you see… it was me! I am a soldier of Rome…I
did my duty… I killed the Son of God.
I first became aware of this one you called Yeshua Bar Joseph de Nazarene, or Christos,
after the insurrection in Jerusalem, by BarAbbas and his thugs. After
his capture, we were wary of any potential leader that could rise up to fulfill his position.
Soon we heard the name of Christos, Jesus of Nazareth. Pilate, very concerned
about another insurrection, assigned me to personally investigate this man.
Strangely enough, the first person I talked to was one of my own. A Centurion
of my own Italican Cohort, Cornelius, was rumored to have met him! He seemed
to believe this Galilean Jew had healed his servant. He actually tried to convince
me of this man’s deity! A soldier of Rome, worshipping a Jew? I no longer believed in
any gods. Roman, Greek, Germanian, Egyptian, I had seen people pray to them all,
and still they died in the mud like pigs. The gods? I thought, maybe they exist, but they do not care for us, save retribution for offending them.
I went to the Jewish Sanhedrin, and found them in an uproar over this Christ.
Caiaphus, the high priest, especially wanted him arrested. But there was
no charge against him. I told them he had not broken the laws of Rome, his taxes
were paid and he did not seem to be particularly rebellious against Rome, I saw in him no sedition, no crime. I did not know you see, that I had planted a seed in the ear of Caiaphus.
I just did not know.
I reported to Pilate that this Jesus was conforming to our laws, telling his
followers to “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s”, and that while he did have a large following, thus far it
seemed peaceful. Pilate was not convinced and charged me to remain vigilant of
him. It was my duty he reminded me, as a soldier of Rome. Besides, Pilate was sure the Sanhedrin would make a move against him if he became a threat to them. I did not know! How was I to know! I had not read your torah. I did not
grow up in your synogogue. No one told me!
Weeks passed. My men brought reports of his healings and teachings, one
man even had the utter gall to attempt to convince me he had seen this Christos raise a dead man! These stories did not change my mind or resolve. Even we Romans
had used such tricks in more barbarian lands, so the people would worship us. I
believed he was a fraud, and he would be discovered soon enough.
On the evening of the 14th of Nisan I was awakened by one of my men.
The Sanhedrin were at the gate, demanding an audience with Pilate, and they had a prisoner. I woke the Governor and we met them in his audience chamber. I
saw that it was Jesus! But it was not my place to deny them you see, I was just
doing my duty, as a soldier of Rome.
Pilate questioned Jesus for some time. Pilate’s ruthlessness was legend, and he had no problem finding an excuse
to punish, especially for an offense against Rome. But he could find no fault
in this Jesus. He asked me what additional details the investigation had uncovered,
and I told him none, save a minor disruption in the temple three days before, a Jewish problem at best, this man was innocent.
But when he asked the
Sanhedrin what charges they brought, I heard my own words…Sedition…Plotting against Rome, Calling himself King.
Even Pilate felt these charges weak. He ordered my men and I to escort the prisoner
and the Jews to Herod’s palace across the city under Guard, but Herod could find no fault in Jesus. We returned to Pilate’s Chambers.
Pilate called me into private conference. He was concerned about the Jewish
charges, though he thought them unfounded, he could not appear weak. Caesar liked
nice quiet tribute paying provinces, and would not look kindly on a second insurrection in Judea any time soon, and Caiaphas
had ways to be sure Caesar knew. “The last thing we need is another BarAbbas”
I said, and a gleam came in Pilate’s eye. “What if we take this Jesus,
beat him, then offer to release him or BarAbbas? Its one of those silly customs
of the Jews to release a condemned man at this high holy week.”
I was shocked! To even think of releasing BarAbbas! An enemy of Rome, a man my men had died to arrest. Even his
own people despised him as he hid his roving banditry under the guise of a freedom fighter.
Then I saw the Genius! The Jews would never release BarAbbas! The Sanhedrin hated him, the people feared him. Given the
choice, they would undoubtedly choose Christ. But to be sure, I was charged to
scourge Jesus. “Make him look pathetic” Pilate said. So I did. It was my duty, as a soldier of Rome. I did not know! How was I to know?! My men beat
him, jeered him, mocked him… we humiliated him. I did nothing to stop them! It was my job. I was not offered a choice. We dressed him in an old purple robe. (soldier 1 {Marcus} takes purple robe and crown
of thorns and lays them on the communion table, also whip) Then we made a crown of thorns and placed it on his head. When we were done, I reported back to Pilate that the scourging was complete…
and he did look pathetic.
A crowd had gathered for Pilate’s address(Justus stands behind podium, as if he is Pilate giving the address). We brought forth BarAbbas and Christ. I was amazed at what
I heard! I even saw that old scoundrel Caiaphus was down there screaming “Release
to us BarAbbas”. Pilate was floored, outwitted by the Sanhedrin! He asked a second time, who the crowd would have, and again they screamed “Give us BarAbbas”. Finally he asked, “and what would you have me do with the one you call Christ?” And to the day I die, I will never forget the Jews who said of Christ “Crucify
Him! Crucify him! Let his blood
be on us and our children”. Pilate gave
in, knowing he was trapped by his own bluff. He called for a vat of water, and
washed his hands. Then told the crowd, ‘I find no fault in this man, I
wash my hands of this” (Soldier 3 {Darius} places small bowl on table, pours water into bowl from jar/small jug and returns to his position. Holds the
water high so the sound can be heard) (Justus pauses while the water is poured). “Release BarAbbas” he said to my men, then to me he said “Justus, crucify the Christ”. I just did not know… (Justus steadies
himself on podium, hangs head in shame, begins to get emotional, perhaps even to cry.
A long dramatic pause before the next line.) So I killed him. (pause, Justus raises his head, stands tall again) I
have seen many men die, but none so nobly. Pilate even ordered us to place a
placard over him saying “The King of the Jews” in three languages. This
infuriated the Sanhedrin, the Roman Governor, recognizing the Kingship of Jesus, but I had my orders, and Caiaphus deserved
it. The sign hung. One thing I knew for sure, Jesus Christ died with more nobility
than the Sanhedrin lived. I tried to
give him an anesthetic, to dull the pain. I knew what was coming you see! I had crucified men before! But he refused
it. As my men nailed him to the cross, he writhed in agony, and as they dropped
the cross into the hole they dug, his body convulsed in pain. Then he tilted
his head to heaven and cried out, “Father God, Forgive them, for they know not, what they do.” This man on the cross prayed for me, me and my soldiers… for each of you. Then I heard him cry out “Eloi, Eloi, Lamath sabaccthani”
My God, My God why have you forsaken me!? This is the hammer! (Soldier
2 takes hammer and sets on the table). And these are the nails! (Justus pulls nails from a pouch/pocket and holds
them up)They held the Son of God to that cursed cross. (Justus hands
nails to soldier 2, who places them on the table) I did not know! How was I to know! I was a soldier of
Rome! It was my duty! If I had refused
it would have been me on that cross! No pleas for mercy, no
complaints, no vicious hatred. I am a soldier of Rome, but my heart was softened. I knew this man was innocent, caught in a power play between the Sanhedrin, Pilate,
Caesar, and Rome. I had investigated him!
I had given the Sanhedrin the words they used to convict him! And I gave
Pilate the idea to beat him and offer the Jews a choice. I just did my duty…
because I did not know. As we watched him die,
the sun disappeared. Silently we stood guard in darkness, terrified. Each man alone with his thoughts, and my thought was this: If
this man was the Son of God, then as we had taken the light of a fathers’ world, his son, so he had taken the light
of our world, our sun. The fears and guilt swirled in my mind in the dark. Then, hours later, around noon, our sun began to return. I had to tell him! It wasn’t my Fault! I knew he was innocent! It was just my job! I was just a soldier of Rome! It was my duty! I did not know! I approached the cross and looked up. But, before
I could speak, he tilted his head back, and cried “It is finished,” then as his head drooped and looking at me
through blood crusted eyes he said “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit”.
Then he died. (Justus looks distraught) I was too late! He would never know! He could never forgive me now! Then the earth began to shake.
The crowd, terrified, screamed and ran. My men were standing their ground, but
for the first time I noticed they too were crying…Soldiers of Rome crying for a dead Jew! And I wondered what their thoughts had been in the dark. And
when the rumbling finally stopped, Marcus, Second in Command of the detail moaned aloud “what have we done?” And suddenly I knew! I knew what we had
done. (loudly) “Surely this man was the Son of God”! My men
stood as if in reverence… but I knew I was doomed. I had done my duty, followed
my orders, been a good soldier for Rome, and killed the Son of God. Soon thereafter,
Joseph of Arimathea came with an order from Pilate to turn over the body. Marcus,
knowing his duty, ordered one of his men to be sure Christ was dead, and Gaius pierced him in his side.(Soldier
Four approaches the table, lays his spear against it, if outside the spear can be thrown into the ground). We took him down. With no order my men treated him with the
reverence due a king, not a criminal. To see the tears of my men, you would have
thought him a beloved comrade. His lifeless body gone, and my duty as a soldier
done, I left. I do not know what I did
that afternoon. I knew what I had seen and done, and I knew I was doomed. Finally I had found a real God who cared enough to come among his people. A God with real power, real contact, real love, maybe even real mercy… and then I killed his Son! What God could forgive that? Orders arrived for the
crucifixion detail to report to the tomb and guard it. There was talk the body
may be stolen. So I watched over his grave, this innocent man I had killed, the
Son of God. Because it was my duty, because I am a soldier of Rome, and because
I did not know. On the morning of the
Third Day after his death we awaited our relief. The ground began to shake. Suddenly
a bright light came from everywhere and drove shadows from the valley. My men,
my Roman Soldiers who had faced the armies of Egypt and Parthia with no hesitation, ran in fear. But I knew who God was looking for, my men would be safe, it was time for retribution, time for God to
exact his revenge… time for me to die. God had come for Justus. My eyes stung from the light as I walked toward the tomb. As
the stone rolled back I knew what was expected, the Roman gods demanded it, so did the German gods, and the Egyptian! So I thought he must too, I drew my dagger, to sacrifice myself… when I heard his voice. “Justus, Stop.” (Justus’ dagger
springs from his hands, and falls to the ground) And I cried out “I was a soldier of Rome! It was my
duty! I did not know! How was I
to know! Forgive me Son of God! ” To which he responded “Justus,
I already have .” Then I remembered his words on the cross, “Father
God, Forgive them, for they know not what they do.” So I knelt, I offered
up my sword, still unable to look on him, ”this is all I have Lord, I offer you my sword and loyalty”. But he did not take it. I didn’t understand… forgiven,
but rejected?! Why Lord! I cried “Justus”
he said “You did not come into my kingdom by the sword”. “But
what else have I to give” I asked? The light dimmed finally I could look
up as he disappeared into the sky. Then I heard his voice, carried in the wind
“I have all I want Justus, I have your heart”. (Justus Stands) Then I saw,
finally! I had the answer! He wanted
me! Just as I was. So I prayed,
for the first time in years, to a Jewish God and his Jewish Son. The weight of
what I had done was lifted, my life fulfilled. I knew finally that I was not
condemned because I did not act alone! (Justus walks down from the stage, pointing across the crowd. Loudly with emphasis:) Each of you has swung the hammer! Each of you have held the
nails! And each and every one of us have pierced his side! We all crucified Christ! And His blood is on each of us and
our children! But as he forgave me, before I knew enough to ask, before my heart
even knew its own longing! So he has forgiven each of us, you need only
accept. So I found the truth, the message the world must hear, and I promised him I would share it. And so I have. Jesus came for Justus, just as
he did for each of you! Now no longer can you say “I didn’t know? How was I to know?” This is what I saw. These soldiers and I (Justus gestures to
his men) were eyewitnesses to the Cross. Have no doubts. I am still a soldier of Rome, but more importantly, I am a warrior for Christ! Jesus had the Soul of a Warrior, and One day his love will conquer my Empire, and any other that stands
against him. I have chosen this day whom I will serve! I am a Warrior for Christ, I go forth in prayer! (Justus draws his sword, and raises it to the sky)
And I ask you “WITH ME!! WHO WILL PRAY WITH ME!”
(Very loudly with emphasis) |
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