The Soldier's Visit - The Crucifixion

A soldier comes to visit some Christians after hearing rumors that Jesus, the man he saw die on the cross, might be alive again. The soldier shares about all the incredible things that happened around Jesus’ death and offers a gift with repentance for his part in it.

This story follows Matthew 27:27–54. Find more details in the parallel stories of Mark 15; Luke 23:26–49; and John 19:16–30.

Though this story deals with a horrible act of cruelty and punishment, the death of Jesus is central to Christianity and introduces the viewpoint of a Roman soldier who guarded him.

Death is part of every person’s experience. Yet for Jesus, it wasn’t the end. He defeated death when he rose again on the third day.

Questions to Consider:

1. How do you think the Roman soldiers who witnessed the darkness, earthquake, rocks splitting, and the death of Jesus felt after these events?
2. What do you think happened to the soldier who said, “Surely he was the Son of God?”
3. Do you think any Roman soldiers became believers in Jesus because of what they saw?
4. What do you think the Roman soldiers thought three days later when it was reported that Jesus rose from the dead?