Impossible Journey, A Tale of Times and Truth

"Say, how about that guy in the courtyard? I’m sure he’s one of the disciples we saw yesterday, but he sure didn’t want to admit it."

"Maybe he didn’t feel his master was worth defending."

"Hey, guys!" interrupts Daniel, "Are we going to stay up all night talking about this, or are we going to get some sleep so that tomorrow we can fix this ship and get out of here?"

"You mean we’re going to miss the crucifixion?"

"Why not?"

"Well since we’re here, we might as well see it. It’s one of history's great events. We’ve seen this much of this time. Why not see the big event?"

"Ah well, Maybe you’re right. But immediately afterwards, we come right back here and get to work--O.K.?"

************

And so, the next day finds our friends on the road to Calvary.

"There--that’s him up there in front of the crowd."

"Wow! That cross he’s carrying must really be heavy!"

They see when he stumbles and falls under the weight of the Cross. Kerry, touched, starts to offer to carry the cross for him, but another man, also black, steps in front of Kerry and takes the cross upon his shoulders. "Simon of Cyrene." says Walt, remembering his Bible History.

With the help of a little pushing, our friends manage to maintain a place fairly near the front of the crowd--near enough to see everything. They witness the cruel pounding of the nails into the hands and feet, and hear the pain-filled but compassionate words: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." They see the cross lifted and placed into the ground with a thud. Their ears are filled with the jeering taunts of the crowd, as they watch the bloody mangled frame hang suspended between earth and heaven.

“It's really terrible, the way they executed people in this time, isn't it?"

“Sure is! I don't know about you, but I've had enough! Why don't we go and finish repairing the ship?"

But, just as they are turning to leave, the sun turns black and they witness the darkness which envelopes the world at mid-day. "Might as well stay, it’s too dark to go."

They sit huddled together, waiting for the darkness to pass. In the darkness, they hear him cry out in desperation, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

In time, the darkness passes, and they hear him cry out in his misery: "I thirst!" They sit still spellbound, as the solder puts a sponge of sour wine on a stick and lifts it to the parched lips. As they again rise to leave, they hear his strained but decisive word "It is finished. They turn and watch him breathe his last, and see the solder quickly pierce his side, causing blood and water to flow out.

"What a pity such a good man had to die! I mean, especially in that way, and so young."

************

Back at the ship they talk while they work:

"Well, we witnessed the death of an important historical figure."

"He was a great prophet and teacher. His teachings left quite an impact on society."

"Do you know, I read somewhere that his followers actually claimed he rose from the dead."

"They probably stole his body in order to make their story more believable by pointing people to his empty tomb."