The Centurion’s Letter – A monologue

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Summary:
After the death of Jesus, a certain centurion may have written to another centurion, whose servant had been healed by Jesus and this is what he may have said. (Performed as a monologue on a telephone or as the reading of a letter)

Greetings,

I don’t believe we have ever met as you are stationed out in the countryside, and I am attached to the Jerusalem garrison.
I’m sorry to start this letter with news that will sadden you, but I must… Jesus is dead. He was executed recently, and I was responsible! To be more accurate, I was the centurion in charge of his execution. Now obviously you will be upset by this news as I understand that you met him and were impressed by his ministry. I was told that he healed your servant.

I am really writing to ask you for advice. On the day of his execution, it was just another day for me. I had a duty to perform and although I did not particularly enjoy this part of my duties, I was determined to do my duty and then go home…

But it did not turn out like that. On that day I was changed forever. I casually watched the proceedings at the start of the day, not knowing who the men were who were to be executed. But I soon noticed one man, whom I later knew as Jesus, was very different from his companions.

The Jews had demanded his execution because they claimed that Jesus had said he was the King of the Jews. As a result of this not only were some of the chief priests and scribes annoyed but the Roman soldiers were not impressed either by a king of the Jews. The result was that the soldiers cruelly abused Jesus. They stripped him and put on him a scarlet robe and when they had plaited a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” I casually watched this from a distance because I had to be there.

It was only when I noticed the red robe and the fact that they had pulled out the hairs from his beard that I realised how different Jesus was. He never made a sound under the torture and just looked, well I know this sounds strange, but he looked almost serene and at peace!
On the way to Golgotha, Jesus was so weak that someone was detailed to carry his cross. As they hammered the nails in, he never made a sound and as they lifted him up on his cross Jesus said words that I shall never forget: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” How could a man in such agony say that? I know this may sound strange, but he loved us – the soldiers that were crucified him, me included.

Now I come to the point of this letter. I confess that I know nothing about religion and never heard any of the teachings of Jesus but one thing I truly believe: “He was a righteous man!” and I have kept the best news until last:
HE HAS RISEN! HE IS ALIVE!

Now I want to follow him and his teachings and learn all I can about him. Will you help me? We could meet and go together to find Jesus and his disciples.

I look forward to your early reply
A Jerusalem centurion

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