A piece dedicated to the Easter story. I hope you enjoy it! Review or not, I choose to write this. Happy Easter!
Surely this is Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.
They say He was the King of the Jews. He hangs on the cross; crimson dripping from his hands, face and feet. The people laugh and jeer at him, saying "If you are the King of the Jews, come down from the cross, and then we shall believe!"
He does nothing. He says nothing. His eyes open and look out toward the crowd and from where I stand, I see tears running down his face. "Forgive them, Father..." he murmurs. "For they do not know what they are doing."
The three crosses stand on the hill of Golgotha, surveying the leering crowd. Some of the women nearer to the crosses start to weep while their sons let their mother's tears flow onto their tunics. Many have started gambling for His clothes. Others have claimed his shoes. Cruelty overflows in their hearts, and I can't stand the wickedness of it all. If only there was hope, for there felt like there would be none.
Here hangs this innocent man on a cross while Barabbas roams the streets raping and killing. Where was the justice in that?
He saved others, they say. But he cannot save himself! Can he?
Eloi, Eloi Iama sabachthani? My God, My God, Why have you forsaken me?The sky has turned dark and threatens to give way to rain. The people passing by spit at his cross and laugh at the ones crucified next to him. I look at all of them in confusion. Hypocrites, I think. Weren't most of you there when he was preaching His parables? Weren't most of you there when He did miracles?
One of the criminals next to Him turns to stare at him. "If you are the Christ," he says. "Then why don't you save us? And save yourself as well?"
The other criminal turns on him. "You and I are criminals! We deserve to suffer this punishment! This man does not, for he has done nothing wrong!" Turning to Jesus, he pleaded "Jesus, please remember me when you return to your kingdom." In his eyes were a new emotion. An emotion of hope and search for forgiveness. I couldn't help myself, but tears were running down my face.
"I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "Today, you will be with me in paradise."
Paradise, paradise, paradise...
What is this Paradise?
There is thunder overhead and the sky is a mixture of gray, black and red. The wind swirls around the hill, stirring one cross after another. The criminals groan as their cross sways, adding weight to their hands and feet, nailed to those crosses as their bodies go up and down. But the one in the middle stays silent. He lifts up his head, and cries out to the sky; above the noise of the people below and the cries of his loved ones: "Father! Unto your Hands, I commit my Spirit!" A loud blast of thunder CRACKS through the sky, blinding the eyes for just seconds. But above the noise, above the thunder, above it all, I hear his whisper.
It is finished.
The ground shook, uncontrollably, sending all around Him onto their feet. The ground splits in two as what we knew of man and their Creator are separated. And then, all is silent. I hear no sound, but I can see it all; the people with their wide-eyed stare, looking around in vain for an answer; the sky turning black and red as the ice cold drops of rain begin to fall and His face; a face so serene that no other could do it justice.
Surely this was the Christ, the Son of the living God.
With all due respect,
Capt. Corbin