The Jesus Road Blog 20

Letters have reached this office from one of the Roman Soldiers stationed in Jerusalem around AD 33. We thought they might interest others in the Parish who are concerned with matters around that particular time. Bear with us because they are difficult to decipher.

Jonah,

I have done a terrible thing. If you haven’t already heard, Jesus was crucified last week. I had to follow orders my friend, if I hadn’t I would have almost certainly been up there with him. I was forced to arrest him at night on Thursday and took him before Pontius Pilate the next day. He could find nothing wrong with him, and I thought Jesus would be released! But then he offered the Jewish leaders the opportunity to release a prisoner as a swap. The crowd shouted for Barabbas, a local rebel leader and trouble maker. So Jesus took his place and was crucified at the place of the skull. I felt so sorry for Jesus as we marched him up there. He was so weak from the floggings and beatings the other soldiers had given him, he couldn’t even carry the cross the whole way. Pertinax had to get someone from the crowd to do it for him.

It was awful watching him die, I knew it was for nothing and he had done no wrong, but I couldn’t do anything about it. The truly interesting thing was though; he continued to talk to God throughout as his Father. I think if he had truly been lying he would never have gone to his death for a lie. When he was about to die, the whole sky went dark for ages and he gave a loud cry, it sounded like, “it is finished.” Then he died. I was so convinced that this man would be a great help to the Jews as their king and I just came to a realization that this man was truly special.

The miracle of it all is, three days later there have been murmurings among the Jewish people that someone has seen Jesus! Alive! I got in touch with Mater and she says that her friend Mary spoke to Jesus in the gardens where we buried him! I couldn’t believe it. She said that God had raised him from the dead, apparently as their scripture predicts he would! So many people are talking about it now, some say they have seen him themselves, others have just heard stories. If all these murmurings are true then surely this has an impact on everyone, including me and you! I’m thinking of quitting the Roman army to go with Mater as she plans to travel to lots of places telling people Jesus’ story. I haven’t worked out how to do so yet, but I will! I must. You have to come to Jerusalem and see all that is going on. It is truly remarkable.

Gallus

Gallus, 27/04/2011

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The Jesus Road Blog 19

Letters have reached this office from one of the Roman Soldiers stationed in Jerusalem around AD 33. We thought they might interest others in the Parish who are concerned with matters around that particular time. Bear with us because they are difficult to decipher.

Gallus, Gallus, my dear son,

How could you? I am amazed that you could put that amazing man to death. I tried to push through the crowd to stop you but couldn’t get near. I am devastated and just can’t believe that you would do such a thing.

My friends Mary and Martha are inconsolable. His disciples are hiding in fear that they will be the next to be crucified.

When do you get time off? I must see you.

With love and in sorrow,

Mater.

Mater, 23/04/2011

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The Jesus Road Blog 18

Letters have reached this office from one of the Roman Soldiers stationed in Jerusalem around AD 33. We thought they might interest others in the Parish who are concerned with matters around that particular time. Bear with us because they are difficult to decipher.

Jonah,

It’s amazing to hear such an interest in what I’m writing! Mater says that Jesus was born in Bethlehem but had been living in Nazareth! I wonder if he is the one that is talked about. It would be incredible if he was!

I saw him again today and even heard him say some words about taxes. We were on patrol with a tax collector in the local market. You know, just doing the normal stuff, standing guard whilst he collected all the taxes from the merchants. There was one bloke who seemed to complain even more than all the others about having to pay. He kept saying he had paid everything he could. The tax collector interrupted him to point out the man’s servant, carrying a large load on his back, hadn’t been searched. They were obviously hiding something so the servant ran off. I started to give chase but the officer in charge stopped me as he had seen who was just coming into the market. Yep you guessed it. Jesus.

Everyone was so excited to see him. I must admit I was too; he even walked right past me on his way to see people. Some Pharisees started chatting to the man I mentioned earlier, I heard them mention the name Nathan and something about Jesus. They slipped Nathan some money and shoved him forward. He then started to question Jesus, at their prompting, about whether people should pay taxes to the Emperor or not. It was a bit awkward really, the people started to shout at us and at the tax collector. We sort of shuffled in a bit to try and stop any rioting. But Jesus was completely unfazed by it all. He simply held up a coin, pointed out the Emperor’s face on it and told everyone, “Pay to the Emperor what belongs to the Emperor and pay to God what belongs to God.”

This brought about a great cheer from the crowd. And you know what? It really makes sense to me. Something sort of just clicked in my brain. He really does talk a lot of sense this Jesus, in amongst his riddles!

Gallus.

Gallus, 21/04/2011

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The Jesus Road Blog 17

Letters have reached this office from one of the Roman Soldiers stationed in Jerusalem around AD 33. We thought they might interest others in the Parish who are concerned with matters around that particular time. Bear with us because they are difficult to decipher.

Dear Gallus,

Goodness here in Rome we are all hanging on every word you send from Jerusalem. The Jewish Community keep asking me what is happening. Your letters can’t come fast enough. I have to admit I have not read much of The Book myself! But, they say there are many prophecies written there about this man, this son of David, born in Bethlehem. Isn’t Bethlehem somewhere near where you are? I thought you said he came from Galilee?!!!!

A quote springs to mind even I have heard in the Rome Synagogue: “......like a lamb to the slaughter.......” Then something about the grave not holding him.......the lamb presumably. Rubbish. But then didn’t you say he, this Jesus, raised someone from the dead after four days in a tomb?! I certainly find that difficult to believe. I would have to see for myself.

Write more quickly. I have suddenly become very popular with my father’s friends.

Cheers mate, Jonah.

Jonah, 20/04/2011

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The Jesus Road Blog 16

Letters have reached this office from one of the Roman Soldiers stationed in Jerusalem around AD 33. We thought they might interest others in the Parish who are concerned with matters around that particular time. Bear with us because they are difficult to decipher.

Jonah,

There have been more strange goings on surrounding Jesus today. Mater has been telling me what she has witnessed as I have gone back to the barracks. Jesus was visiting a friend. Apparently he used to have leprosy! But Jesus healed him (as well!) a while back. I wouldn’t have risked going to visit him if I was Jesus though, to be honest. Wouldn’t have wanted to accidentally catch something. But Mater’s friends risked going too, although they weren’t invited as such…

Apparently they burst into the house just so Mater’s friend, Mary, could pour some very expensive perfume on Jesus’ head! Apparently it was quite a large amount too! Mater says that this caused a bit of an uproar amongst the other people there who started claiming that the perfume had been wasted and that it could have been sold to give money to the poor! I can see what they mean really. But Jesus told them off apparently! He looked favourably on what Mary did because she was pouring it on his body, “to prepare it ahead of time for my burial,” is what he said. He made it sound as though he would be going to die soon. I’m very confused by that! He then went on to tell us that the gospel would be preached all over the world. I guess that means that everyone will get to know about him. Do you know any more that you could tell me about any of this?

Gallus

Gallus, 19/04/2011

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The Jesus Road Blog 15

Letters have reached this office from one of the Roman Soldiers stationed in Jerusalem around AD 33. We thought they might interest others in the Parish who are concerned with matters around that particular time. Bear with us because they are difficult to decipher.

Jonah,

You really need to get over to Jerusalem as soon as possible! This man Jesus continues to amaze everyone here, and now I’ve seen firsthand why he is so special! I had decided to go with Mater to follow Jesus around for a bit and to be honest for a while he wasn’t doing anything really that special. Just greeting the people that had come to see him really. But then some blind men were pushed forward to meet him and cried out to him calling him the “Son of David.” Mater had told me that Jesus was the son of a man called Joseph so this didn’t make a lot of sense to me really. Do you know anything about that? Anyway Jesus asked what they wanted and they requested he gives them their sight! Of all the things to ask for, I thought they would have asked for money or food, but no, they asked to see. But then Jesus did a funny thing. He touched their eyes. And then he said something along the lines of, “you are healed because you believed,” I can’t remember exactly. Then the two blind men start shouting for joy! They could see again! I couldn’t believe it. All he did was touch their eyes! No herbs or medicines just by touch. Incredible.

It didn’t end there though, a cripple was lying not far from Jesus who explained that he couldn’t get in the pool without help. So Jesus told him; “Get up, pick up your mat and walk.” This time he didn’t even need to touch the bloke. He just got up! The man started staggering around as though those steps were the first he had made in a long, long time. It was so amazing! A man who can heal people by touch and word must be truly very powerful indeed! I can’t wait to see what he does next!

Gallus.

Gallus, 18/04/2011

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The Jesus Road Blog 14

Letters have reached this office from one of the Roman Soldiers stationed in Jerusalem around AD 33. We thought they might interest others in the Parish who are concerned with matters around that particular time. Bear with us because they are difficult to decipher.

Jonah,

Jesus has arrived in Jerusalem! And what an entry into the city it was! I have a few days off from being on patrol so was lucky enough to be part of the huge crowd that greeted him. It was like nothing I’d ever seen before for a man that doesn’t have any real position of authority. He was arriving in time for the Jewish festival of Passover which is later in the week. I was just wandering around the market, picking up a few things for the week ahead when there was a great commotion. People were shouting, “Come and see. It’s Jesus!” I got rather swept up in all the mass of people running out of the city to greet him.

It was a bit of a strange sight at first, the man I had heard so much about was riding a donkey along the road up to the gates! No idea why or where he would have got the animal from. But even so, there were people lining the road waving palm branches and shouting things like; “Hosanna!” and “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” and “Blessed is the King of Israel!”

I couldn’t believe it; this man must truly be special to warrant such a reception and to be called the King of all Israel! There was a crowd of people that had travelled with Jesus and Mater was among them. She quickly rushed over and started telling me all that she had seen.

By this time, Jesus had gone through the gates and got off the donkey. He was talking to the crowd whilst surrounded by children and telling everyone that the kingdom of God belonged to them. I didn’t fully understand over the clamour but I’m going to try and follow Jesus around for the next few days of my leave to hear more.

Wish you could have been here to see it all,

Gallus

Gallus, 17/04/2011

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The Jesus Road Blog 13

Letters have reached this office from one of the Roman Soldiers stationed in Jerusalem around AD 33. We thought they might interest others in the Parish who are concerned with matters around that particular time. Bear with us because they are difficult to decipher.

My son,

I am on the way. We have stayed with friends between Galilee and Jerusalem and hope to arrive long before Passover. What an exciting time this has been. I am now a friend of Jesus, yes, I really am. One evening he fed a huge crowd, some say more than five thousand, with bread and fish just shared by a young lad from Capernaeum.

So many healings. I really begin to believe Jesus is a very special prophet.

My friend Martha welcomed us to her home. Did you hear about the miracle there a little while ago? I didn’t see it happen but the people who were there have told me the story and I believe them. It was a miracle, a miracle greater than others. Lazarus my friend’s brother died and is now alive. Alleluiah.

I can hardly speak of how I feel. Better than everything is that Jesus talks to all of us not just his own people the Jews. He says that us gentiles can be part of his family too and all who commit their lives to him and to his father God and repent of their sins are forgiven.

This means sooooo much to all of us whether we are Romans or not. Prepare yourself to be surprised. With love.

Mater

Mater, 14/04/2011

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The Jesus Road Blog 12

Letters have reached this office from one of the Roman Soldiers stationed in Jerusalem around AD 33. We thought they might interest others in the Parish who are concerned with matters around that particular time. Bear with us because they are difficult to decipher.

Jonah,

Mater has decided to postpone her visit to me in Jerusalem because she is with some of the followers of Jesus and now follows him around everywhere! She says she has become quite good friends with a woman called Martha who apparently has many stories of what Jesus has done. Mater has told me how he healed a paralysed man and forgave his sins too! He must have great power to be able to that.

What you have told me worries me, the reason Mater has postponed her visit is because Jesus is planning to come to Jerusalem soon anyway! If he truly has come to make himself the new king here, it won’t be pretty for me and the other soldiers! Even so, I am excited too to finally see what all the fuss is about firsthand.

I tried to get my hands on a copy of this Book you were telling me about, but as I am a Roman I wasn’t allowed. The Jewish teachers were very dismissive of me, even in my civilian clothes, maybe Jesus will change that!

Gallus

Gallus, 14/04/2011

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The Jesus Road Blog 11

Letters have reached this office from one of the Roman Soldiers stationed in Jerusalem around AD 33. We thought they might interest others in the Parish who are concerned with matters around that particular time. Bear with us because they are difficult to decipher.

Dear Gallus,

Greetings and good wishes from the centre of the universe.....Rome of course. It is so interesting to read your letters and to hear what your mother is saying from her time in Galilee. I have been talking with my parents. Of course they have almost always lived here in Rome but their parents came from Jerusalem. The family don’t visit the synagogue now. We have got used to the gods here in this place. However, we still have the Book and we have read some of the prophecies about the Messiah.



“For a boy is to be born for us, a son given.....”



It speaks of soldiers being trampled in blood, and he, apparently a son of David, one of the Jewish kings, ruling the whole world. Man, beware.

There is much more to this man than I thought. He will bring a new Kingdom to the world, maybe not just to the Jews. Now the Roman Governor in Jerusalem won’t want to hear about that. He will not want to have to report back to Caesar that a new King is ruling the whole world. Neither will the Jewish King Herod, or the religious leaders in Palestine want that.

Watch out mate it looks as if there really is trouble brewing on your patch.

Maybe when your mother arrives she will have more news and maybe she will be able to get friendly with these disciples or the women in this Jesus’ crowd. I’m sure he will have plenty of followers. Perhaps you should get your hands on a copy of the Book and read for yourself. There is a whole lot in Isaiah the prophet.

In haste, your mate Jonah.

Jonah, 09/04/2011

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The Jesus Road Blog 10

Letters have reached this office from one of the Roman Soldiers stationed in Jerusalem around AD 33. We thought they might interest others in the Parish who are concerned with matters around that particular time. Of course they are difficult to decipher but here is the first and there may be others.

Jonah,

Patrol today was quite eventful. We were checking the weights used on the different market stalls to make sure the locals get a fair deal when there was a great commotion. A thief had stolen some expensive jewelry from one of the merchants and was trying to escape through the crowd. Unfortunately for him, he ran straight into us. One of the other soldiers tackled him and beat him up! We handed him over to the local authorities to be dealt with properly. It felt good to be doing something again.

Mater has been in touch, she sent me a letter from Galilee. She is full of praise for this Jesus bloke, sounds like he is doing some truly amazing things over there. Apparently he talks like no-one she has ever heard before. People are hooked on his every word. To add to that, he has been healing people that were blind, deaf, lepers. It all sounds pretty incredible stuff. The young men that mentioned in my last letter are being called his ‘disciples.’ They go with him everywhere it seems. Maybe your idea of a messiah is wrong then? If I get some leave I may go and see him firsthand.

Gallus.

Gallus, 07/04/2011

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The Jesus Road Blog 9

Letters have reached this office from one of the Roman Soldiers stationed in Jerusalem around AD 33. We thought they might interest others in the Parish who are concerned with matters around that particular time. Of course they are difficult to decipher but here is the first and there may be others.

Jonah,

The messiah you described sounds very different from the stories I’ve been hearing from the other guards. You say he is a great warrior, but we haven’t heard of any fighting going on involving him. Yet. He is stirring up the people a bit though, and has apparently been gathering young men to his cause. There are rumblings the Jewish teachers of the law aren’t very happy with him. It all sounds a bit silly, and I suppose I’ll here it all first hand when mater arrives.

On a more positive note, I am no longer just doing guard duty! One of the other soldiers, Quintus, was injured during armatura earlier today so I have taken his place on patrol. I always thought those training exercises were fairly dangerous. I suppose we need to be prepared for anything.

Look forward to hearing from you again soon,

Gallus.

Gallus, 05/04/2011

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The Jesus Road Blog 8

Letters have reached this office from one of the Roman Soldiers stationed in Jerusalem around AD 33. We thought they might interest others in the Parish who are concerned with matters around that particular time. Of course they are difficult to decipher but here is the first and there may be others.

Dear Jonah,

It is a beautiful morning here in Jerusalem. The night was fresh and cool so we slept well. Today it is warm and pleasant, for once not too hot.....yet. I understand if you can’t manage to get a transfer but I am missing you. So far I have not managed to make friends with anyone in our section. They seem to be a vicious, blood thirsty lot. Did I mention this Barabbas fellow that they threw into prison this week. Such a good looking young fellow but not now. They beat him so much; lost teeth, broken nose. I was quite sickened. Oh I know he is a robber and a thief but he is young and I know the poor people here are taxed so high they have barely enough left to live on. There are many beggars on the street. So many lepers, cripples, blind...........you can’t walk anywhere without them calling out to you for alms. It is far worse than anywhere I have been posted before.

I hear that Jesus fellow I mentioned to you is healing people in Galilee. Mater is there now.....if she survived the sea journey. She is coming on to Jerusalem soon and I hope to hear more about Jesus from her. He interests me. What do you know about a Jewish Messiah? Do your family expect someone to come who will release prisoners and heal the sick? Please tell me what you know.

I am on duty at one of the Gates into this city today. Did I tell you, there is a wall around the whole place. We guard the gates and could prevent any revolutionist gang from entering. So no worries on that score.

Here I go. Greet my other friends, your mate Gallus.

Gallus, 04/04/2011

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The Jesus Road Blog 7

Letters have reached this office from one of the Roman Soldiers stationed in Jerusalem around AD 33. We thought they might interest others in the Parish who are concerned with matters around that particular time. Of course they are difficult to decipher but here is the first and there may be others.

Mater,

I am starting to feel much better now. Some of the other men have found the goat to be problematic too, so it’s officially off the menu! I look forward to your visit; hope the journey over the sea isn’t too rough for you. When you arrive I will try and get a few days leave to show you around, although there isn’t too much to see. I look forward to hearing of your tales of Jesus after you see him, maybe you can decipher some of the riddles people say he’s been talking in. One of the other soldiers stationed in Galilee heard him talking about sowing seeds just last week. Didn’t put him down as much of a farmer.

I knew Jonah had an unusual name for a soldier but I didn’t realize he was Jewish. His heritage may mean he won’t be able to be posted out here then. I’ll have to write and ask him about it.

Let me know when you plan to get here, much love,

Gallus

Gallus, 01/04/2011

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The Jesus Road Blog 6

Letters have reached this office from one of the Roman Soldiers stationed in Jerusalem around AD 33. We thought they might interest others in the Parish who are concerned with matters around that particular time. Of course they are difficult to decipher but here is the first and there may be others.

My dear precious son,

Hello Gallus, I am so worried about you. Jonah has told me that you are ill. That the food is disagreeing with you. Son, you must eat properly. I have decided to travel to Jerusalem to visit you. I have heard about this Jesus man. I want to see him too so I might come via Galilee. In the meantime: STOP eating this goat thing. Find some chicken perhaps. Eat the bread but not too many figs. They give you diarhea {can’t spell that!).

By the way, I think I should tell you something about Jonah. His mother is Jewish. She came here to Rome from Galilee as a child when her parents fled some persecution. This means, although he is a Roman Citizen, and a soldier, he has the same background as the people we Romans have conquered.

What are you thinking?

Your loving Mater. xx

Gallus' mother, 30/03/2011

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The Jesus Road Blog 5

Letters have reached this office from one of the Roman Soldiers stationed in Jerusalem around AD 33. We thought they might interest others in the Parish who are concerned with matters around that particular time. Of course they are difficult to decipher but here is the first and there may be others.

Jonah, hope you are well. I’m not! It must be to do with the strange food out here. The locals don’t eat pork of any kind, so getting our usual rations is much harder. Hunting parties have been out every night to try and catch something for us all to eat, often they come back with nothing though. There’s talk amongst the men that their going to start importing some food for us. I hope it happens soon, I’m fed up of eating just bread which is rather hard and gritty. The threshing and grinding methods here are a bit primitive. Then there is the goat. Uggh!! It is rank. The smell puts me off before I even get to the plate. I love the figs and olives though.

Yes, there’s still some trouble with those Zealots about the place. Has mater told you about a trouble maker from the North I mentioned in a previous letter? Well rumour has it that he healed one of the Centurion’s slaves! Without even using medicine or visiting the young lad! The whole thing sounds a bit weird if you ask me, might look into it a bit more.

Gutted to hear that Marcus was killed, must have been one hell of a gladiator to beat him. Look forward to hearing from you soon, Gallus.

Gallus, 29/03/2011

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The Jesus Road Blog 4

Letters have reached this office from one of the Roman Soldiers stationed in Jerusalem around AD 33. We thought they might interest others in the Parish who are concerned with matters around that particular time. Of course they are difficult to decipher but here is the first and there may be others.

Jonah mate it’s such a strange place this. Wish you were here. The girls are really dreamy. But there is a strange atmosphere. I can’t think exactly what it is about the place. Spooky. Apply for a transfer mate, I really need a friend.

The new boss is called Pontius Pilate. He seems worried all the time. Scared in a way. I told you about John the Baptist, well there are some other local trouble makers called Zealots about here in Jerusalem. They’ve been causing quite a bit of a problem around the place by murdering and stealing. We’ve had to deal with them by crucifying a few of the leaders.

Haven’t seen much other action though yet, at least nothing like the battles we saw in the arenas back in Rome really. How is Marcus our favourite gladiator doing? Has he won his freedom yet? Have they got going on the Colliseum yet? All talk and no do that’s the town planners department!!

The food here is pretty dreadful. More about that next time.

Greetings to you and the rest of the fellas, your friend Gallus.

Gallus, 25/03/2011

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The Jesus Road Blog 3

Letters have reached this office from one of the Roman Soldiers stationed in Jerusalem around AD 33. We thought they might interest others in the Parish who are concerned with matters around that particular time. Of course they are difficult to decipher but here is the first and there may be others.

Hi Mater,

Well here I am. We arrived in Jerusalem after a long, rough journey over the Mediterranean Sea, I was sea sick for two days. Briefly stopped off in Sicily to pick up some supplies and bumped into Uncle Mario, he sends his regards. It’s hot, it’s dusty and there are far too many hills. It’s all up hill and down. Really hard on the feet when we are marching. One of my friends here has huge blisters.

That fellow John, the Baptist they are calling him, is dead. I heard they cut off his head. Now I hear there is another mad man travelling around the north of the country. They say he is doing amazing things. Just causing trouble some say. I hope he doesn’t come on to our patch.

Up at dawn every day and boring guard duty is all I seem to get. So nothing dangerous for you to worry about just yet. Hope father’s tavern is still doing well,

Gallus

Gallus, 23/03/2011

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The Jesus Road Blog 2

Letters have reached this office from one of the Roman Soldiers stationed in Jerusalem around AD 33. We thought they might interest others in the Parish who are concerned with matters around that particular time. Of course they are difficult to decipher but here is the first and there may be others.

Dear Mother,

Thank you for your reply. I feel slightly better about it now. The pay is a bit more because Jerusalem is almost a war zone. There is continual unrest there. I hear there is a religious maniac stirring everyone up among the locals. He comes out of the desert dressed as a hermit. You know, animal skins and shaggy hair. Rumour has it that he is in prison. Could be dead by now for all I know. Perhaps as well cos he sounds a bit war-like. I may be a soldier but I don’t really relish going to war.......this week anyway! Anyway don’t worry. Must dash, there’s a game on in the coliseum. We move out tomorrow.

Gallus

Gallus, 20/03/2011

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The Jesus Road Blog 1

Letters have reached this office from one of the Roman Soldiers stationed in Jerusalem around AD 33. We thought they might interest others in the Parish who are concerned with matters around that particular time. Of course they are difficult to decipher but here is the first and there may be others.

Dear Mother,

Oh dear I have been posted.........to Jerusalem. Where’s that for goodness sake? I know you have travelled widely, do you know anything about it? My mate Jonah just laughed and then looked miserable, as he does. He certainly doesn’t think it’s a promotion! I was so enjoying the warmth and social life here on the Med. More when I know more. In haste, your loving son, Gallus.

Gallus, 13/03/2011

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