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I love the Psalms

~ Connecting daily with God through the Psalms

I love the Psalms

Tag Archives: The Soldier Who Killed a King

This Double Quake

04 Sunday Apr 2021

Posted by davidkitz in The Soldier Who Killed a King

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Tags

centurion, resurrection, supernatural, The Soldier Who Killed a King

In this resurrection morning excerpt from “The Soldier Who Killed a King”, the centurion, Marcus Longinus is awakened by an earthquake and shortly thereafter a pounding commotion at his gate.

The gateposts must have shifted in the quake, and now the bar was jammed. Finally I jarred it free with a painful upward thrust with my open palms. A dozen men surged in. The guards from the tomb! They were breathless. Sweat dripped from them. Some collapsed on the ground. Others were doubled over and gasping for air.

They must have run the whole way from the tomb. But it was more than exhaustion that I saw written on their faces. I saw fear.

“What’s happened?” I called out to no one in particular.

Philip caught his breath, “There was a light. It came down.” He shook his head violently, then grabbed some more air, but he could not go on.

I moved to another man who was stooped over, hands on his knees. I motioned for him to speak with quick desperate jerks of my hands. But he shook his head.
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I spotted Claudius. I grabbed him by the front collar of his cuirass and forced him upright. “What happened?” I demanded as I yelled in his face. “What happened?” My words were forced out through clenched teeth.

“The light . . . the light became a man,” he swallowed. “When it touched the ground . . . the earth shook. It dropped out from under us.”

His head slumped down again.

I shook him. “What then?” I demanded again.

Nothing came.

From behind me Philip resumed the account, “We all fell down. Fell flat.”

I stepped toward him again.

He caught another gulp of air. “It was so bright – like lightning. I closed my eyes. I couldn’t see. We couldn’t look.” He held up his hand as though he was shielding his eyes. “We lay there shaking.”

And he still was shaking. I looked about. Others were nodding their heads.

“What else? Was there more?”

A third man came to his aid. “When I opened my eyes, the angel was on the stone. He was sitting on the stone.”

“The tomb was open,” Philip continued, but then he fell to the ground. “A man walked out of it. The dead man walked out!” he wailed out these last words, as though he had seen a spirit – a ghost.

“You all saw this?”

To a man they nodded their ascent.

“We all saw it,” Claudius confirmed.

I brought my hand to my forehead, and then expelled a huge breath of air. This was beyond understanding. It was clearly from beyond the realm of the normal. How do you handle heaven’s messenger? How do you deal with the supernatural?

I looked over them again. “Some of you are missing? Where are the other men?”

“I don’t know,” Claudius admitted. “Some just ran off. I guess they were too scared.” He shook his head as though he was waking from some dreaded nightmare.

I did a head count, confirmed that there were twelve here, then told them to sit still. With a few quick questions I determined who was missing.

But the men before me were in shock. They were as traumatized as any troops routed in battle. You could see it on their faces. This was no fabrication. Whatever they had witnessed had nearly scared the life right out of them.

I had no idea what to do. My family had watched all this – this double quake. They would have questions for me later. I turned to them now. Then I turned back to my men. I never felt more caught between two worlds.

Where does this all go from here? What do I do next?

For book purchases of The Soldier Who Killed a King try Amazon or christianbook.com.

To download a free study guide for this high-impact, 288-page, bible-based novel visit: https://www.davidkitz.ca/centurion.php/free study guide PDF

Here’s a journey to the cross and the open tomb you will never forget.

He Knew Me

30 Tuesday Mar 2021

Posted by davidkitz in The Soldier Who Killed a King

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healing, Hosanna, the cross, The Soldier Who Killed a King

A journey to the cross is a journey to repentance. It’s a journey to deep personal change. Will you take this journey with me?

In today’s reading, Marcus the centurion, watches with intense interest as a third child is healed by the prophet from Galilee.

Seizing the moment, a young mother rushed forward, clutching a limp form in her arms. Upon seeing this mother and child, I was stabbed by pain. Remembered pain. The dark sunken eyes glazed by fever, the pallid skin, the wheezing cough and raspy breath, I remembered it all.
The child was racked with consumption. The disease was consuming her, consuming her body, and with it a mother’s hope until none was left. The toddler didn’t stir a muscle as Jesus looked into her fevered young eyes.
Experience told me this gaunt daughter would be dead within a week. It was the mother who trembled and pleaded—pleaded for her who lacked even the strength to cry.1_LQtjPt8ZDqx05L-IlvYlKA
“Give me the child,” Jesus gently urged. The request took the mother completely by surprise. Instinctively she clutched the girl even more closely to herself.
“Give her to me.”
There was tenderness in that deep voice.
The mother was visibly caught in an inner struggle. I suppose she had held on so long and so tightly that now it was hard to give this frail object of her affection to a stranger. Their eyes met for an instant. He gave a short nod to his head as if to say, “Yes, it has to be this way.” And the struggle was over.
She eased her slumping burden into Jesus’s arms. The child’s head drooped against his chest. He wrapped a big hand around the girl’s head, brushed a wisp of hair from her eyes, rocked her side to side. Then with slow deliberation, he turned from the multitude and faced the great temple doorway.
An intense quiet engulfed the assembly. Moments passed.
“Father . . . Father . . .”
That’s all I heard him whisper. He raised his gaze to heaven and then back to the little one in his arms. With the same slow deliberation he turned back to us.
She squirmed in his arms—eyes bright and clear. Two little hands shot out, reaching for her mommy. The smile spoke ten thousand words. The child was whole. Transformed! Completely healed!
The crowd was ecstatic.
“Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna! Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Then for a second time, our eyes met. He knew me. I could see it in his eyes. I don’t mean Jesus recognized me. I mean he knew me. Knew me from front to back, from inside out, from my first day till now. It was a dreadful feeling—a naked feeling.
I turned abruptly from him. My heart hammered in my chest. I began fumbling my way through the crowd, desperate for an exit. I had to get away.
But my child . . . my daughter . . .
Why wasn’t she healed? Why wasn’t she spared?

For book purchases or a closer look at The Soldier Who Killed a King try Amazon or christianbook.com.

To download a free study guide for this high-impact, 288-page, bible-based novel visit: https://www.davidkitz.ca/centurion.php/free study guide PDF

Here’s a journey to the cross and the open tomb you will never forget.

Four in the afternoon, Sunday, April 2, AD 30

23 Tuesday Mar 2021

Posted by davidkitz in The Soldier Who Killed a King

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Hosanna, Messiah, Passover, Son of David, The Soldier Who Killed a King

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I
t was never like this before.
I have been posted in Jerusalem for ten years now, but in all that time, I have never seen a Passover crowd like this.
It wasn’t the numbers. I had seen that before.
The Passover pilgrims always come plodding into the city in reverent caravans. Some of them chant psalms. Others are silent, looking bone-weary as they trudge, like fretful herdsmen with children in tow. Undoubtedly, many are relieved that their holy city is finally in view.
But this year it was different. There was this man—at the center of the whole procession. There had never been a central figure before. Every movement within that huge throng seemed focused on him.
Squinting in a futile attempt to get a better view, I gave Claudius a backhanded slap to the shoulder and demanded, “What are they doing?”
“They’re climbing the trees, sir.”
“I can see that!” I snapped. “But what are they doing?”
“They seem to be tearing off the palm branches, sir.”
“What is going on here?” I said it more to myself than to any of the men standing near me. An uncomfortable feeling crept into me as the procession advanced.
“They don’t usually do this?” Claudius questioned.
“No . . . They’ve never done this before.” There was worry in my voice. Claudius had been recently assigned to this place, the festering armpit of the empire, and I was at a loss to explain what was happening before us. We were standing on the wall above the gate of Jerusalem, and less than a half mile away, we could see the jubilant pilgrims surging toward us in alarming numbers.
“They’re laying the palm branches on the road in front of that man—the man on the donkey.”
Until Claudius said it, I hadn’t noticed the donkey. Its small size and the frenzy of activity round about must have obscured this detail in the picture before me. What an odd way for this man to come. I could make no sense of it.
“They’re throwing down their cloaks before him.”
The sweat- glistened bodies of several men were clearly visible. Outer garments were being cast down before this man as a sign of homage. At the same time the rhythmic chanting of their voices became more distinct.
What were they singing? Could I pick up the words?
     “Hosanna to the Son of David!” 
     “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” 
     “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
That’s when it hit me like a barbarian’s club. I realized what I was witnessing. It was a triumphal entry—the entry of a king.
It was the words. The words they were now boisterously shouting. He was their Messiah. The Son of David! The one they were waiting for! The one who would rid them of the Romans. He would set up his glorious Jewish kingdom, here, in Jerusalem! This is what I had been warned about since the day I first set foot on this cursed Judean soil. And we, I and my men and the garrison in the city, were all that stood in their way.

For book purchases of The Soldier Who Killed a King try Amazon or christianbook.com.

To download a free study guide for this high-impact, 288-page, bible-based novel visit: https://www.davidkitz.ca/centurion.php/free study guide PDF

Here’s a journey to the cross and the open tomb you will never forget.

A Story of Christ’s Passion

05 Friday Mar 2021

Posted by davidkitz in Christ's Passion, Psalms

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

Passion of Christ, the cross, The Soldier Who Killed a King

A journey to the cross is a journey to repentance. It’s a journey to deep personal change. Will you take this journey with me?

To download a free study guide for this high-impact, bible-based novel visit: https://www.davidkitz.ca/centurion.php/free study guide PDF

For book purchases of The Soldier Who Killed a King try Amazon or christianbook.com.

Book Trailer

21 Sunday Feb 2021

Posted by davidkitz in The Soldier Who Killed a King

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Lent, novel, repentance, The Soldier Who Killed a King

A journey to the cross is a journey to repentance. It’s a journey to deep personal change. This year during this Lenten season will you take this journey with me?

To download a free study guide for this high-impact, bible-based novel visit: https://www.davidkitz.ca/centurion.php/free study guide PDF

For book reviews and purchases of The Soldier Who Killed a King try Amazon or christianbook.com.

The Reviews are in and the Scores are High

13 Friday Mar 2020

Posted by davidkitz in book review

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

David Kitz, passion, Passion of Christ, The Soldier Who Killed a King

Here is the latest Amazon review of “The Soldier Who Killed a King”:

A very good read! I enjoyed this book and recommend it, bought one for my daughter as well…timely for Easter too. In two words, David Kitz “nailed it!”
                                                      — Ruby

As an author, as in much in life, it’s not easy to please everyone. But we can learn from our critics. With that said I am pleased to report that my passion of Christ novel scores very well with readers.

With 62 reviews on Amazon.com “The Soldier Who Killed a King” scores 4.8 out of 5 stars on the Amazon rating system. In Canada with 50 reviews posted the score is even higher at 4.9 out of 5 stars. Numbers like that are rare in the literary world.

Maybe there’s some star inflation going on? Maybe readers are being too generous? But maybe Ruby is right. Maybe the readers have nailed it? You won’t know the answer to that question unless you read the book for yourself.

And… with Easter fast approaching, now is the ideal time to do just that.
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To read more reviews and purchase in the USA click here.

To read more reviews and purchase in the Canada click here.

 

 

Three Things You Need to Know about Amazon Book Reviews

30 Thursday Jan 2020

Posted by davidkitz in book review

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Amazon, book review, Kregel, The Soldier Who Killed a King, verified purchase

Before my historical novel The Soldier Who Killed a King was released, I had a conversation with the marketing manager of Kregel Publications. One thing she stressed was the importance of book reviews, particularly Amazon book reviews.

Since that conversation I have been diligently urging readers to post book reviews. Here then are three things I learned in the process.

  1. There’s something magical about 50.
    Fifty is the first major breakthrough point which takes you to a new level with the Amazon algorithms.  The day after I hit 50 reviews on Amazon.com the number of reviews suddenly jumped because the site drew in additional reviews from Canada and the U.K. Similarly, my review numbers on Amazon.ca jumped from 36 to 46, because ten American reviews were added to the Canadian site.
    Take away: International websites cross populate when you hit 50 reviews.
  2. Not all Amazon reviews carry an equal weight.
    Simply put some reviews are deemed more credibly, or are more highly valued. For example, a verified Amazon purchase carries more weight than a non-verified review. Also a review from a top tier reviewer is pure gold. Top tier reviewers review a lot of books, so they are highly trusted and their opinion is valued and weighted accordingly.
    Take away: When possible encourage reviews by verified purchasers and top tier reviewers.
  3. Reviews don’t need to be long to be effective.
    My one 5 star review from the United Kingdom reads as follows:
    Title: Nailed It
    Excellent crucifixion description.
    That’s all it says. But in a total of five words, this review captures a key element of the story. Of course longer reviews are also much appreciated.
    Take away: If you read a good book, show your appreciation by writing a review. The author will appreciate it, and so will prospective readers.

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Barnes & Noble Book Review

23 Thursday Jan 2020

Posted by davidkitz in book review

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David Kitz, Holy Week, Roman centurion, The Soldier Who Killed a King

Today I came upon this 5 star book review on the Barnes & Noble website. What follows is a duplicate of that post:

I received a copy of THE SOLDIER WHO KILLED A KING: A TRUE RETELLING OF THE PASSION by David Kitz from Kregel Publications in exchange for an honest review. This is a standalone book.

This book…wow. Subject matter aside, it blew me away. The writing is superb. It feels as ifSoldier book you are watching a movie, but a 4D movie. (This would make a great Broadway play.) It puts you in the scene. You taste and feel and smell. You are transported back in time. You get to really know the characters as if they were people living on your block. You travel back in time to the first-century world and experience it all.

Now for the subject matter. According to the blurb: A stunning story of Holy Week through the eyes of a Roman centurion. The centurion is Marcus Longinus.

This story shows the events leading up to the Passion Week. This is a new take on a story that has been told many times. I admit to thinking it might “just be another one.” If you hesitate because of that, you’re missing out. This is historical Christian fiction at its finest. I highly recommend it for your collection.

To purchase though Christianbook.com click here.

A Recent Review

14 Thursday Nov 2019

Posted by davidkitz in book review, Books by David Kitz

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Biblical fiction, centurion, David Kitz, Passion of Christ, The Soldier Who Killed a King

Earlier this week, I came upon this review of my Biblical novel on the website Christianbook.com.

The Soldier Who Killed a King by David Kitz is an amazing fictional recounting of the passion of Christ as seen through the eyes of a centurion. I’ve had the book for quite a while and now having finished it, regret not reading it sooner so I could share it. What a remarkable book! The author brings a turbulent week in Jerusalem to life with biblical-fiction-award-2017_origcompelling imagery and believable dialogue and action. The rereading of this last week before the crucifixion of Jesus was a moving reminder of what He suffered for me. Readers of Biblical fiction will not want to miss The Soldier Who Killed a King.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from BookFun Club network. A favorable review was not required and opinions are my own.         — Annelr, Brighton, MI

To download a free study guide for this high-impact, Bible-based novel visit:
https://www.davidkitz.ca/centurion.php/free study guide PDF

From a Soldier’s Point of View

12 Tuesday Nov 2019

Posted by davidkitz in book review, Books by David Kitz, The Soldier Who Killed a King

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centurion, David Kitz, Good Friday, Jesus' death, The Soldier Who Killed a King

I wrote my novel about Christ’s passion from the perspective of the centurion who wasbiblical-fiction-award-2017_orig in charge of the Good Friday crucifixion. Despite this masculine viewpoint, I have been pleased by the positive response from female readers. The following 5-star review was written by Sally Meadows and was posted to Goodreads:

It seems more than fitting that The Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed to God and was betrayed on the eve of His crucifixion, is the setting of the climax of “The Soldier Who Killed a King.” Here, the protagonist finally meets the living God in a gut-wrenching, unforgettably powerful way that will change his life forever. David Kitz’s narration draws us, throughout this book, into the complexity and brutality of New Testament times with such incredible detail that we can see, taste, feel, everything the soldier does. An enormously successful retelling of Jesus’s final days from the perspective of the man who was instrumental in Jesus’s death. And how through Jesus’s death, the soldier found true life. 

To download a free study guide for this high-impact, bible-based novel visit: https://www.davidkitz.ca/centurion.php/free study guide PDF

For book purchases try the author’s website, or Amazon, or https://www.christianbook.com
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