The Centurion and the Crown of Thorns

By Chuck Antone, Jr

A fictional story about the Centurion who, at the foot of the cross, said, “Truly this was the Son of God.”
As people leave the scene of the crucifixion, the Centurion, known in this book as Marcus, stays a little longer. While he’s looking up at Jesus who is still nailed to the cross beams, a small earthquake happens. The crown of thorns falls off Jesus’ head and rolls to the feet of Marcus, where it stops.
As Marcus bends down and touches the crown he senses a strong power coming from it. He immediately feels clean and new, and a great peace comes over him. He doesn’t understand it but he enjoys the feeling.
He takes the crown home to share his story with his wife, who wants nothing to do with it. After all, she was one of the many who were in the courtyard yelling for Jesus to be crucified. On the other hand, his ten-year-old son is fascinated by what his father tells him, and is intrigued by the crown and wants to learn more.
Marcus and his son Antony become believers, and Marcus searches out ten Bible prophecies that Jesus has fulfilled. He wants to teach his son many things about their new Messiah.
The crown not only gives Marcus strength and peace, but it also has healing powers that bring him and his son Antony closer in their walk with the Lord.
As the story unfolds, Marcus learns how each of the ten prophecies was fulfilled. And because of this, he is now ready to completely give his life to his new God, especially after he has an opportunity to meet with the risen Jesus face to face, who tells him it is time to give up the crown of thorns.
Chuck and Doni have been missionaries since 1981. They live on the Big Island of Hawaii. They have two children, four grandchildren and four great grandchildren. They have helped start churches in the Philippines, Hong Kong, South Africa and also Taiwan where Chuck ministers four months each year. Chuck is the Pastor of the Kona Coast Chaplaincy on the Big Island of Hawaii, and he along with Doni are the Directors of Go Spread His Word Ministries, Inc. founded in 1990.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Chuck Antone, Jr
• Release date: Sep 12, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311630698

Chuck Antone, Jr

Chuck with his wife Doni have been missionaries since 1981. They live on the Big Island of Hawaii. They have two children, four grandchildren and four great grandchildren. They have helped start churches in the Philippines, Hong Kong, South Africa and also Taiwan where Chuck ministers four months each year. Chuck is the Pastor of the Kona Coast Chaplaincy on the Big Island of Hawaii, and he along with Doni are the Directors of Go Spread His Word Ministries, Inc. founded in 1990.

Book preview

A fictional story about the Centurion who, at the foot of the cross, said, 'Truly this was the Son of God.'

As people leave the scene of the crucifixion, the Centurion, known in this book as Marcus, stays a little longer. While he’s looking up at Jesus who is still nailed to the cross beams, a small earthquake happens. The crown of thorns falls off Jesus’ head and rolls to the feet of Marcus, where it stops.

As Marcus bends down and touches the crown he senses a strong power coming from it. He immediately feels clean and new, and a great peace comes over him. He doesn’t understand it but he enjoys the feeling.

He takes the crown home to share his story with his wife, who wants nothing to do with it. After all, she was one of the many who were in the courtyard yelling for Jesus to be crucified. On the other hand, his ten-year-old son is fascinated by what his father tells him, and is intrigued by the crown and wants to learn more.

Marcus and his son Antony become believers, and Marcus searches out ten Bible prophecies that Jesus has fulfilled. He wants to teach his son many things about their new Messiah.

The crown not only gives Marcus strength and peace, but it also has healing powers that bring him and his son Antony closer in their walk with the Lord.

As the story unfolds, Marcus learns how each of the ten prophecies was fulfilled. And because of this, he is now ready to completely give his life to his new God, especially after he has an opportunity to meet with the risen Jesus face to face, who tells him it is time to give up the crown of thorns.

The Centurion and the Crown of Thorns

by

Chuck Antone, Jr.

© 2013 Chuck Antone, Jr.

Direct Scripture quotations are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE® Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

The paraphrased speeches by Jesus and John are the author’s own version of standard New Testament Scripture.

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the copyright owner of this book.

Hearten Publishing

P.O. Box 4404

Kailua-Kona, HI 96745

United States of America

[e-mail]

Table of contents

About the Book

Dedication

About the Author

Books by Chuck

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Chapter 49

Chapter 50

Chapter 51

Chapter 52

Chapter 53

Chapter 54

Chapter 55

Chapter 56

Chapter 57

Epilogue

One Year Later

The Prayer

Holy Land Photos

Dedication

To my wife, Doni, who encouraged me to write fiction and to let my mind be creative. I'm so glad you did as I love to make up stories……thanks!

To my sister, Aileen Peppin, who prayed for my salvation and never gave up on me……thanks!

To my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and my Abba Father who not only forgives my transgressions, but He remembers them no more……WOW!

About the Author

Chuck and Doni have been missionaries since 1981. They live on the Big Island of Hawaii.

They have two children, four grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

They have helped start churches in the Philippines, Hong Kong, So. Africa and also Taiwan where Chuck ministers four months each year.

They have also done outreaches in Japan, Indonesia and in the mainland USA. They have smuggled Bibles into mainland China and have hiked up mountains in the Philippines while being watched by the New Peoples' Army, a Communist group that lives and hides in the mountain areas.

Chuck was also arrested in a third world country and faced a year in prison for teaching a seminar on how to be a witness for Christ. After three weeks he was deported and sent back to his home in Hawaii.

He says, 'Being a Christian is only boring when one makes it be boring.'

Chuck is the Pastor of the Kona Coast Chaplaincy on the Big Island of Hawaii, and he along with Doni are the Directors of Go Spread His Word Ministries, Inc. founded in 1990.

You can contact Chuck at:

[e-mail]

or write

P.O. Box 4404, Kailua-Kona, HI 96745

Chuck's books can also be purchased through major Internet sellers.

Books by Chuck Antone, Jr.

Lord, Send Me

The author’s feelings and emotions while facing a one year prison sentence in a third world country.

Paperback only

You’ve Got to be Kidding, Lord. You want me to tell WHO about You?

Share the Gospel? Does the thought make you want to hide in bed with the blankets over your head? If it does, you’re not alone, but help is at hand. Here is what Chuck Antone, Jr. says in this exciting book written with great humor and much understanding:

Are you ready to experience sharing Christ with the lost? Does one name keep popping into your mind? Has God been whispering in your ear? If so, be challenged, make that contact and see what God can do.

Be encouraged by just being available. Just be the instrument, the tool. Let God do the work. He is much better at it than we are, for He has had a lot more experience in bringing someone to His Son, Jesus Christ. After all, He is God, the Mighty One, the Powerful One, the Creator, Our Savior, Our Father, the One and Only God.

Paperback ISBN 978-1-9350-7934-7

Also available as an e-Book in most formats

You’ve Got to be Kidding, Lord

(See previous book for details)

This edition is in Chinese.

Paperback only ISBN 978-1-4818-2238-1

You Can’t Be Serious, Lord. You want me to love WHO?

This book is written to encourage you to love one another. Not always easy, but it’s a command from our Lord Jesus Christ. Has God ever told you or commanded you to love someone you find hard to love? Have you ever heard yourself say, "You can't be serious, Lord, you want me to love who?" And then when you give in and love that person, he or she can become your very good friend.

This book will help you to understand God's special love that He has for each of us. By reviewing 1 Corinthians 13, the love chapter, and Galatians 5:22-23, the Fruit of the Spirit, we not only see His love, but the love we should have for one another.

At the end of each chapter you will be challenged to do just that. So have your writing instrument and a notebook ready and be honest with yourself.

Paperback ISBN: 978-1505514629

Also available in most e-Book formats

Paul’s Island

Fiction. Volume 1. A Kit and Kat mystery. A mystery about eight university graduates who spend five days on the island. When one of them is murdered, the others help the Inspector solve the case. The two main characters are Christians with criminology degrees.

Paperback ISBN 978-0-6154-7577-6

Also available in most e-Book formats

High Seas Murder

Fiction. Volume 2. A Kit and Kat mystery. Kit and Kat have just set up their own private detective agency, and are ready to go on a Mediterranean cruise before they open up their doors for business. The cruise is meant to be a time of relaxation, but the onboard theft of a necklace worth over $3,000,000 needs their investigative skills. Soon it’s not just stolen jewelry that Kit and Kat are involved with, as theft turns to murder on the High Seas.

Paperback ISBN 978-1-4681-2356-2

Also available in most e-Book formats

Barcelona Jones

Murder on Broadway

Fiction. Barcelona Jones is a Broadway star. Her new play, Murder on Broadway is a big hit with people waiting months to buy a ticket to see it.

At one evening performance, at the end of the first act, real bullets are put into the prop gun killing one of the cast players. Were the bullets meant for him or one of the other players?

Soon, another murder occurs, as well as two attempted murders: one of them on the star, Barcelona Jones herself.

Barcelona hires a private detective to investigate the crimes, and he completely falls in love with her on their first meeting.

Will her feelings for Sam, the detective, be the same? And who is the murderer? Could it possibly be Barcelona’s friend and stage actress, Brenda Summers? That’s up to you, the reader, to find out.

Paperback ISBN 13: 978-1-4949-6945-5

Also available in most e-Book formats

The Centurion and the Crown of Thorns

A fictional story about the Centurion who, at the foot of the cross, said, Truly this was the Son of God.

As people leave the scene of the crucifixion, the Centurion, known in this book as Marcus, stays a little longer. While he’s looking up at Jesus who is still nailed to the cross beams, a small earthquake happens. The crown of thorns falls off Jesus’ head and rolls to the feet of Marcus, where it stops.

As Marcus bends down and touches the crown he senses a strong power coming from it. He immediately feels clean and new, and a great peace comes over him. He doesn’t understand it but he enjoys the feeling.

He takes the crown home to share his story with his wife, who wants nothing to do with it. After all, she was one of the many who were in the courtyard yelling for Jesus to be crucified. On the other hand, his ten-year-old son is fascinated by what his father tells him, and is intrigued by the crown and wants to learn more.

Marcus and his son Antony become believers, and Marcus searches out ten Bible prophecies that Jesus has fulfilled. He wants to teach his son many things about their new Messiah.

The crown not only gives Marcus strength and peace, but it also has healing powers that bring him and his son Antony closer in their walk with the Lord.

As the story unfolds, Marcus learns how each of the ten prophecies was fulfilled. And because of this, he is now ready to completely give his life to his new God, especially after he has an opportunity to meet with the risen Jesus face to face, who tells him it is time to give up the crown of thorns.

Paperback ISBN 13: 978-1-4812-9390-7

Also available in most e-Book formats

Ava Montez -- Her Life and Death

Fiction. Who killed Hollywood legend Ava Montez, once known as the most beautiful woman in the world? The murder has been unsolved for over forty years. But that’s about to change, when the New York Reader’s reporter, Rae Collins, is assigned to do a story on the life and death of Ava Montez.

The murderer, who has felt safe all these years, is now threatened by Rae’s interviews with the four original suspects. And she’s already getting too close. The only way to prevent being caught and sent to prison for life is to murder again. And Rae is to be the murderer’s next victim!

Paperback ISBN 978-0-6154-4522-9

Also available in most e-Book formats

Barsabbas

Fictional love story between a man and a woman, and their love for Jesus, as He teaches them from the book of Mark.

Paperback ISBN 978-1-6157-9058-6

Paperbacks books and e-Books (where done) are available from most online retailers.

For paperback order form and information on books and CDs:

P.O. Box 4404

Kailua-Kona, HI 96745

United States of America

From the Author

Aloha Dear Reader,

As always, my books are written for the whole family, from mom and dad to the teenager who enjoys reading.

The story in this book is based on events following the crucifixion of Jesus the Messiah. The life, death and resurrection of Jesus are related in detail in the Gospels, but little is told in these Gospels or in the first chapter of Acts of the events between His resurrection from the dead and His ascension to Heaven forty days later.

We do know that Jesus taught His disciples at this time, and the talks Jesus and John give in this book are based on parts of the four Gospels and the first letter of the disciple John in the New Testament.

The Gospels tell us nothing about the centurion who spoke his famous words at the cross to say that Jesus was the Son of God, nor do they tell us what happened to Jairus and his family after Jesus had raised his unnamed daughter from the dead. But when we read in John 9:22 about the trouble that ordinary members of the synagogue faced from the Pharisees when they became involved with Jesus, we can imagine that Jairus, as a synagogue ruler in Galilee, would have found it hard to remain in his village and be a follower too. So for the purposes of this story, I have 'moved' Jairus and his family to be near Jerusalem.

There is a tradition that although John was living in Capernaum when Jesus called him, he had a house in or near Jerusalem. I have made use of this tradition, with John bringing his brother James and his parents, Zebedee and Salome, there with him. So this book is of necessity a blend of Biblical fact and my own creative writing. It has always been my intention to keep closely to the accounts recorded in the Gospels, with their wonderful message of love, forgiveness and salvation.

Paul in 1 Corinthians 15 tells us that over 500 people saw Jesus after He had risen from the dead, so although the meeting with Jesus in this book is imaginary, meetings like this could well have been taking place.

Many thanks; I would love to hear from you.

Mahalo,

Chuck

[e-mail]

or

P.O. Box 4404

Kailua-Kona, HI 96745

Chapter 1

'I believe this man was innocent and that He is the Son of God.'

The words came out of the mouth of the Roman centurion before he realized what he had said. Many of the men under his authority looked at him, wondering why he