A Roman soldiers view
It seemed like it was going to be just an ordinary day in the life of a soldier. We were on execution duty, nothing unusual in this, I had lost count of the number I had witnessed. There were to be three victims on this occasion and we were hoping one of these would be Barabbas; he had been a thorn in our side for months. We had all breathed a sigh of relief when he had been captured and couldn't wait for him to get what he deserved.Then a rumour reached us that Pilate had exchanged him for some religious extremist to placate the Jewish leaders and avoid another disturbance in the city! Pity, but we still had three crosses to fill and ' orders is orders' as they say.
It was when they arrived at the execution site that I began to feel something strange was happening. The religious one, who I later found out was called Jesus, must have seriously upset somebody in the city; he had taken quite a beating and had clearly also been scourged, it was a wonder he was still alive, but it was when we laid him down for nailing..., He, he seemed...seemed…. to be in control! As if he was voluntarily surrendering himself to the indignity of it all. It had been the same when the others had stripped him; not a word passed his lips. He handled it with a dignity that I had never seen before or since!
That was just the beginning; no sooner had we elevated the crosses into position, an act usually accompanied by curses and cries of anguish, than he spoke. "Father forgive them, they do not know what they are doing" Those are the very words,they are etched into my memory forever. This 'criminal' was asking for forgiveness for us! Then a little later the other two, joined in the insults coming from the crowd and I heard one of them taunt him to get them out of this mess if he was so special. The other one told him to shut up; they were getting their just desserts but not so this man.There followed an exchange that I can recall vividly. "Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom", the reply"This day you will be with me in paradise"!
It was shortly after this that the sky went very dark and there was an eerie silence even the jeering crowd were stunned into quiet contemplation. Eventually this was broken by the cry from Jesus, it was remarkably strong considering the circumstances, it was uttered in his own language but L later learned he said My God, my God, why have you forsaken me", a few moments after this was followed by "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit" then almost triumphantly " It is finished "!!
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