I want to emphasize that the following information is only a LEGEND!! But, I feel that an there’s an important lesson to be learned here for those who have ears to hear it!

The legend says that the soldier who thrust the spear into the side of Jesus on that fateful day of crucifixion was named, Gaius Cassius Longinus. As the scriptures tell us, blood and water flowed forth from the wound. According to the story, this mixture splashed into the face of the soldier and his vision, which had been failing, was totally restored. The story goes on to relate that, later, Longinus sought out the disciples in Jerusalem and became a Christian. He later moved to Caesarea and became a monk. Not long after, this former Roman soldier was condemned to death for being a Christian.

Most of us have heard stories about similar items associated with the life and times of Jesus Christ. For example, volumes have been written down through the centuries about the “Holy Grail” or the cup that was used by Jesus at the last supper. This Holy Grail has supposedly made numerous appearances in the past. Another legend tells of the linen sheet or “Shroud of Turin” that was used to wrap the body of Christ after his crucifixion. An imprint was left behind on this sheet that looks like a photographic negative of a person, complete with blood stains on the hands, feet and head. The church in Europe that owns the shroud claims it is authentic even though it has been studied by many experts that claim it is a forgery.

The Spear of Longinus has a similar history. Many have claimed possession of the spear including King Herod. Supposedly the spear found its way into the hands of an Egyptian by the name of Maurice the Manichean who kept it from falling into the hands of Emperor Maximian. Later, Constantine the Great carried the spear into many battles and claimed his victories were because of the spear. Charlemagne the Great (the Carolingian King of France in 814 AD) was said to have the spear in many battles but died when he accidentally dropped it.

In the 900’s the Spear of Destiny fell into Saxon hands in Germany and then later in 955 Pope John XII used the relic to christen a Roman emperor named Otto.

Eventually, the spear was owned by Frederick Barbarossa, a Roman emperor who ruled in the 12th century. He died within minutes after accidentally dropping the spear into a stream. The French dictator, Napoleon tried to capture the spear after the Battle of Austerlitz but it was hidden and smuggled out of the country, out of his grasp.

In the early 20th century, the spear was held briefly by Kaiser Wilhelm and ended up in the Hapsburg Treasure House in Vienna. It was in this museum that Adolph Hitler first laid eyes on it.  Later, the great madman wrote these lines: “I knew with immediacy that this was an important moment in my life…I stood there quietly gazing upon it for several minutes, quite oblivious to the scene around me. It seemed to carry some hidden inner meaning which evaded me, a meaning which I felt I inwardly knew, yet could not bring to consciousness…I felt as though I myself had held it in my hands before in some earlier century of history—that I myself had once claimed it as my talisman of power and held the destiny of the world in my hands. What sort of madness was this that was invading my mind and creating such turmoil in my breast?”

Notice the reference here to reincarnation in which Hitler firmly believed. This insane lunatic seized the spear in the name of the Third Reich on March 12th, 1938. The same day he took over control of Austria. The spear was transported by armored SS train to Nuremberg on October 13th and it remained there for 6 years in St. Catherine’s Church. As the war intensified, the spear was hidden in an underground secret vault for protection.

As the Americans and Russians began seizing control of Germany, the United States Army found the spear and took possession of it on April 30th, 1945. Within 90 minutes of the U.S. capturing the spear, Adolph Hitler and Eva Braun (his new wife) committed suicide in the Fuehrer bunker in Berlin. The two American generals, Patton and Eisenhower, decided to return the Spear to the Royal House of Hapsburg shortly thereafter. The spear’s wooden staff disintegrated long ago and all that now remains is the head of the spear itself which is broken into 2 pieces. A piece of metal holds the two pieces together and the story says it was one of the nails used to crucify Christ.

The Spear of Destiny continues to reside in the museum in Hapsburg, Austria where the public can see it, free of charge, Monday through Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm.

I think you would agree that this legend it tantalizing at the very least. For some reason, people down through the ages have latched onto stories and relics like this and incorporated them into their faith system. The cave of Lourdes, France is another such story where, supposedly, the Virgin Mary appeared to a young girl long ago. Today, pilgrims travel to Lourdes by the tens of thousands seeking to be healed from all manner of diseases. When will we ever learn?

Rom 1:25 “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.”

The truth is, God never intended any man or woman to become unusually involved with spears, cups, shrouds or any other physical item having to do with the time Jesus spent upon this earth! He also doesn’t like it when we get unusually caught up in the Gifts of the Spirit to the point that we begin seeking after the Gifts rather the “Giver” of those Gifts! God is not pleased when men worship what He has created; the birds, the moon, the stars, or any other part of creation instead of worshiping the One Who made all of these things! And, while these stories are indeed interesting to read about, we must always remember that they can lead us into a place of deception if we aren’t careful.

The same was true of the Law that God gave His people. There are some Christians today that want to take us back to the Law but read what the scriptures say,

Gal 3:24-25 “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.”

And, while it is true that the Church today has done a miserable job of teaching about our Hebraic roots, it is equally true that those teachings are not commanded by God to be incorporated into the doctrine and dogma system of the Christian’s life. For example, if God has convicted you personally that you should not eat pork then, for you, it would be sin but look at this scripture,

1 Tim 4:4-5 “For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.”

Obviously, “every creature” means “every creature!” The truth is, man has always had a propensity towards the physical world and things of the flesh. That’s why many get caught up in spears, shrouds, cups, caves, and food! But, God desires us to seek after Him for who He is today, not the sheet He was wrapped in! Thank God there was a clean linen sheet there that day when Jesus died but Jesus is no longer dead! He has risen from the dead! He’s not made out of wood or stone. He has a heart…I encourage you to seek Him! I love you!

Disclaimer: Many of the articles on the site were written many years ago. While the lessons and teachings are certainly applicable to issues of today, please note that some of the references mentioned in the article may be dated or otherwise proved inaccurate due to the passage of time. We bring you these articles in their original format. Thank you.