Of Such Is The Kingdom, A Novel of Biblical Times in 3 parts

PART II  CHAPTER 19:  CRUCIFIXION

 Even so, must the Son of man be lifted up, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

---Jesus (John 3: 14b-15)

     The dreary road to Calvary

      Was trod that day by figures three

      Who crosses bore

      Whose weight wore sore

      Upon their backs

      Then one did fall

      And someone from the crowded scene

      Was called to bear the cross

      Of him, the Nazarene.

      “Why don’t they get someone to carry our crosses too? Maybe if I faked a fall too--.  I mean, who is he, someone special?”

      “Oh, be quiet, Lucas!”

      And on they trudged.

      Around them formed a multitude so great;

      And women mourned

      And wept for him who’d been their help of late.

“Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children; for if they do these things in a green tree, what shall they do in a dry?”

Timotheus marveled at the power of these words and at the magnificence of a man who, though facing death, was less concerned about himself than he was about those around him.  What kind of man, indeed?

The pain from the spikes was excruciating.  But as Timotheus gazed upon the stranger’s sores, his own pain seemed strangely to lessen or to grow less important.

      Behind them sat the soldiers

      Who gambled for his clothes;

      Before them knelt his faithful followers few;

      Around them surged a crowd of angry faces of his foes;

      And from those mouths, sharp, bitter

      And most scornful phrases flew.

      “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

      But their railing did continue,

      Lucas adding his voice too.

Timotheus was pensive, but unmoved until Lucas started on him too.  Maybe Lucas was right. Surely this stranger was just like anyone else.  All other belief must have come from a deluded imagination.  Alas, there was no hope now of his finding true peace and happiness.  He had lived a miserable life. He must die a miserable death, reconciled to the fact that there is no real peace or happiness to be found.

But just then he sighted a new but familiar figure there among those at the foot of the stranger’s cross.  It was, of all people, Barabbas.  Timotheus was deeply moved at the sight of the big brute upon his knees.

Suddenly Timotheus’ sins swarmed before him.  Then, he thought once more of this Nazarene – of all he’d heard of him and all he’d heard him say.  It seemed suddenly to fit.  Could this man be the promised Messiah?  Surely he must be.

From the throng came an upsurge of cutting quips, and one from Lucas: “If you be the Christ, save yourself and us!”

That was too much! It was time for Timotheus to stand.  “Lucas,” he groaned reprimandingly, and as strongly as he could, “Don’t you fear God, seeing that you’re in the same condemnation?  And we, indeed justly.  But this man has done nothing wrong.”

Lucas at last was silent.  But, as good as it felt to mouth those words, Timotheus was not yet satisfied.  There was still something missing– something, which he was sure this stranger alone could supply.  If he was a king, then he must have a kingdom.  And if he was the Messiah, he could offer the forgiveness and the peace Timotheus so longed for.  Fixing his eyes upon him, Timotheus pleaded, “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

The Nazarene smiled at him.  It was a warm, radiant smile that made him feel all at peace inside.  “This day,” he said, “You shall be with me in paradise.”

Timotheus’ face relaxed.  “In paradise!  At last!” he thought, “I’ve found it at last!”

Now the pain seemed strangely bearable.  It lasted for only a short while more, or so it seemed.  Then, as the soldiers came and broke his legs, he hardly even felt this final torment, but entered calmly into that wonderful realm of light and beauty to be forever with his new-found king.

 PART II  CHAPTER 20: REDEMPTION

 Believe on the LORD Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved.

---Paul and Silas (Acts 16:31)

Let's go back, for a moment, and view more closely the other figure whom Timotheus had seen kneeling at the cross.  He had come in fear and confusion.  He had come out of a strange sense of compulsion.  Somehow he knew he had to come, although he wasn’t quite sure what to expect.  He only knew that, as he had told Deborah, he had to come and see this one who was taking his place.

As he walked up that hill, his sense of guilt and shame almost overwhelmed him.  He knew that even though he had escaped the justice of this world, there was a greater judgment ahead in the world to come and he feared this more than anything.  He had told God he was sorry for his sins.  He’d said it perhaps a million times since that fatal night.  But somehow the heavens seemed like brass.  Was there no way to find forgiveness and peace?

As he stood there and watched them drive the nails into those hands, he noticed a sense of calmness in the midst of agony on the Nazarene’s face.  Then, as he heard those enduring words, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do,” it was as if those words were meant for him alone.  He knew they were not.  He knew they were meant for the soldiers who were driving in the nails, but somehow, it seemed that he, Barabbas, must be included in their meaning as well.  After all, it was he who should be being nailed to that cross.  Surely this man was taking his place in a far greater way than he had first realized.  A man who could pray for the forgiveness of those driving the nails into his hands– must not this be the Messiah?  Then, he raised his eyes upward and caught sight of the inscription nailed above the cross, “JESUS OF NAZARETH, KING OF THE JEWS.”  The Messiah would be king, wouldn’t he?  But where was his kingdom?  Why, of course, it had to be in the hearts of men like himself.

He watched as the Nazarene hung there, suspended between heaven and earth, calmly submitting to the pain of crucifixion, as if he knew he was meant to die.  But then, he heard the agonizing cry, lifted to heaven, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”  Was this man forsaken of God?  Could it be?  But, why?  Then, it struck him.  He had always been taught that God was holy and could not look upon sin.  If this man was really the Messiah, then perhaps he was bearing the sins of the people upon him.  He was bearing his, Barabbas’, sin upon him.  Yes, that was it.  Then, he, Barabbas, was really forgiven.  He was forgiven of the insurrection, of killing the soldier, of the robbery attempt, of killing Benjamin, and of every other sin he had ever committed in his life – of getting angry with his wife and children of---of---of---he was forgiven!  This was wonderful!  Now he really knew what it was to feel good.

He didn’t know how long he stayed there kneeling, lost in the rapture of his newfound faith and peace.  Then, he remembered that he had told Deborah he wouldn’t be gone long, so he got up to leave.

As he was making his way down the hill, he noticed another figure just ahead of him, walking slowly down the hill.  The black robe and white belt looked familiar.  As he picked up his pace, he realized that it was indeed the strange looking man who had first confronted him on the idea of insurrection.  Coming upon him, he smiled and saluted him. “Shalom!”

“So, you returned to view the crucifixion?  Quite impressive, isn’t it?”

“Oh, it’s much more than that!  It has changed my life.  I have a joy and peace I’ve never known before.”

“What do you mean?”

“That man on the middle cross.  Not only did he take my place, but I’m certain he’s the Messiah, the true king of the Jews, as the sign says.  When he asked God to forgive, I felt somehow it was for me, as well as for the soldiers who were driving in the nails.”

“You know, I too felt there was something about him, although I couldn’t understand what.  Perhaps you’re right.  But if he is a king---”

“Then,” interrupted Barabbas, “his kingdom is a spiritual one, in the hearts of those who will believe in him.”

“But, is he the king of the Jews only?  Or is his kingdom broader than that?”

“It must be broader.  It must be for all who will believe.”

“You know, it’s really fortunate we ran into each other.  I have been searching all my life for spiritual truth.  Perhaps now, I’ve found it.  Tell me more.”

“All I know is that as I knelt at his cross, I felt that I had been forgiven by God of all my sins, and I felt a peace and joy I’ve never known.  I accepted him as king of my life.”

“I shall do the same.  Yes, this must be the answer to my quest.  Thank you for telling me.  Perhaps I shall go back up and kneel before him.”

“Goodbye, my friend.  If I never see you again in this life, I’m sure we shall meet in the next.  By the way, I don’t even know your name.”

“It’s Manaheem.  Goodbye.”

And so the strange-looking  man made his way back up the hill, while Barabbas made his way down.

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

A few minutes later, at the foot of the cross:  “How wonderful to have found what I’ve been looking for at last. Can it really be true?  Are you really the Messiah?  Then that would mean that your claim to be the Son of God is true.  You were here among us and we didn’t know it.  And you give us forgiveness and peace?  I need your forgiveness.  I’ve been deceiving myself all my life.  I said I was looking for spiritual truth, but I’ve had an attitude of superiority towards other people, just because I dared to be different.  Perhaps I never should have gone along with Herod’s idea of finding someone to instigate an insurrection against Pilate.  At any rate, I was wrong to blackmail Herod just because he didn’t want to pay for an unsuccessful insurrection attempt.  I’m sorry, and I’ll return what’s left of the money to Herod tomorrow.  Oh my new king, I shall try to follow you always in my heart.  The future may still be uncertain, but at least now, I know what direction I’m going in.  I too, like Barabbas, have found the true source of all peace and joy, which gives real meaning to life.  Now nothing else matters.”