It came time to either hasten the deaths of those crucified or to make sure they were dead. Some they broke the legs of on the cross with mallets, but since Jesus had perished already the order was simply to spear his lungs. The Soldier ordered to do so was Longinus. His was a miserable lot for his eyesight was failing him and he was due to be discharged, likely to end up as a blind beggar. But he still served Rome faithfully and obeyed his orders. He stabbed Jesus on the side and a mixture of mostly water with some blood splashed out into his face and eyes, much to the laughter of his peers. But Longinus wasn't thinking of their mockery... He could SEE! The waters had penetrated his eyes and restored them! And his spear had untold power in it. He said; "Truly, we have slain the SON of GOD!" and his comrades were indeed amazed at how now he could see when before he could barely make out his hand in front of his face. Still they gambled over the robes of the crucified, though Longinus sat alone the night amazed at his new sight and wondered what he would do. Later, he became a Christian himself and eventually a Saint. And he kept his lance after his discharge from the Legion, though later it too had a fantastic and dark history with it's powers.