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The RobeBy
Lloyd C. Douglas “Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.” (John 19:23,24) Lloyd C. Douglas’s The Robe has been one of my favorite books for many years, one I recently reread for about the fourth time. Written in 1942 and on the bestseller list for several years with over 6 million copies sold, this book has a timeless and still relevant message of faith. This story is built around the biblical casting of lots by the Roman soldiers for the robe of Jesus at his crucifixion. Set in ancient Rome, The Robe paints the days of early Christianity in Judaea and Rome. Using the characters of a wealthy Roman Tribune named Marcellus, his Greek slave named Demetrius, and Diana (granddaughter to a powerful political figure), Douglas draws the reader into the plot from the beginning of the book. Douglas uses vivid descriptions, strong characterizations and believable dialogue to create a powerful and inspirational story that accurately depicts the journey of early Christians in their quest to find the answers about Jesus and his resurrection. As
a punishment for his family’s perceived insult to the ruling family, Marcellus
is sent to command what is believed to be the worst post in the Roman Empire,
Gaza in Palestine. As one of his assignments, Marcellus and his soldiers are
sent to insure order at the crucifixion of Jesus, whom Marcellus decides is
innocent. Marcellus wins the robe
of Jesus in a “cast of lots.” Talking
with Demetrius after the ordeal, Marcellus says: “I’m dirty¾outside and inside. I’m dirty¾and ashamed….Were you there when he called on his god to forgive us?…He looked directly at me after he said it. I’m afraid I’m going to have a hard time forgetting that look.”1 Indeed, Marcellus does have trouble forgetting. At a banquet after the crucifixion, Marcellus is pressured to try on the robe of Jesus. This causes his mind to snap, as he finds it impossible to get away from the Galilean’s crucifixion. Demetrius now becomes the protector of Marcellus as both begin a journey to find healing and truth. Marcellus’s family and Diana are baffled by Marcellus’s compulsion to learn about the man whom Marcellus has watched die and whose robe he now owns. In their quest to find out more about Jesus and His message, Marcellus and Demetrius meet Peter, Stephen, and other people important to the forming of the early Church. Douglas masterfully weaves their actions into this story of adventure, political intrigue, faith and love. A Christian epic, The Robe glimpses inside the society in which the early Christians lived. It is a story of failure, redemption and triumph in a world just beginning to feel the impact Jesus had on the world. This is a must read for those who enjoy historical fiction, especially historical Christian fiction. ninetyandnine.com © 2001, Shirley McDonald --------- Shirley
McDonald is a high school librarian and attends First Pentecostal Church of
Denham Springs, Louisiana. 1 Page 103
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