9Humans are never born perfect, nor can they achieve "perfection" effortlessly. Although he was considered "divine," contrary to what many thought, this unwritten rule still applied to Jesus. However, humans possess the ability to become perfect, or almost so. Often times, they do not wish to put the effort into receiving such an undeclared title.
All of his life, Jesus had believed his task to be to share with people across the continents about God, The Father, and the truth of his Jewish faith. He now understood that he truly was "the Son of God" and intended to open the eyes of those around him. At times, he might have known that his father intended him for a different pathway. Not necessarily more important, but nonetheless different.
Now that his path was set before him, Jesus saw that he might have been able to guess what it was beforehand. No one else in the world at this time – or possibly in any time – understood what this type of sacrifice would mean to the people on Earth. It was rather like loving someone so much that you would do anything for him or her. Only in this case, the "them" happened to mean everyone in the world.
This first day of prayer in the desert, Jesus realized what had been set before him. The certainty even unnerved his disciples. For they had seen him sure before. Now however, he was set in what he would do for his people, his children. During the forty-day wait, perfection seemed a lot harder to grasp than ever before. Resolution – the only thing keeping him going. To keep him from flinging himself to his knees, in dread of the days to come. Resolution and prayer – what kept him alive to see another day.
Alone, afraid,
In darkness and fear,
Knowing for certain,
His end was near.
Leaving the Earth,
While not being the end,
Brought acceptance, but fear,
As death you could not mend.
Praying to his father,
For both guidance and faith,
Until he completed his task,
His body must remain safe.
The salt water burned into his back, the lashes seeming to tear Jesus apart from the inside out. At first, it was all he could do to keep from screaming. After the next twenty lashes, he could not cry out even if he wanted to. Lungs aching to draw one more breath, it was all Jesus could do not to allow himself to crash to the floor.
For what would the Jewish see then? Their "king" had lost hope, and so should they. All of his teachings, everything he had devoted his life to – it would all be for nothing. That in itself, was the only thing that kept him from uttering a single sound save for his racking to draw a breath.
The prayer in the desert had kept him from backing out of what he was certain would happen. It could not possibly prepare him for what came on that day.
The lashes stopped, and Jesus held his breath. No matter how close to death he already felt, the torturers would not let him die easily. While he heard footsteps looming nearer, he tried to gain energy, praying, yet again, for some good to come out of this day.
At once, the barbed vines sliced into his head, as Jesus sharply drew a breath in shock. The vines had penetrated his skin, seeping into the depths of his skull. Rivets of blood ran down his face, as Jesus gasped in another breath. Rivets of his blood mixed with the dried saltwater, poured over his face. The burning blood entered his eyes, causing them to water. Hurriedly blinking his eyes to keep from spilling any tears, Jesus only managed to push the salt father back into his eyes. No tears slipped by in that instant.
The agony felt,
As he tasted his blood,
The agony he felt,
But still his death must not come.
To keep himself upright,
To keep from falling down,
His attempts almost lost,
By pain from the "crown."
Whatever came next,
Would prolong his fate,
And yet he could not stop yet,
Or fail opening Heaven's Gate.
Another break came, along with his returning fear of what would come to him next. All of his attention focused on disguising the agony he felt, Jesus' legs nearly buckled as a weight hit him from behind. Opening his bloodshot eyes, Jesus found that he held a cross, and immediately understood what he would be asked to do.
He lifted the cross, arms and legs quivering under the weight. After his first wobbly step, Jesus was unsure of how far he could carry the cross. 'What would come first?' he wondered. His body's collapse under physical strain, the loss of blood, or the dehydration. As far as he was concerned, all three were having a race to see which would "do him in." His heart then, must try to beat them all. Dying would be too easy. First, Jesus had to show the Jewish that they were not alone. That the Son of God would never leave them. Only of course, not in the literal sense.
The first fall came and went, as did the second. Each time, Jesus battled both a mental and physical battle. Rising to his feet, he managed to continue on. After the third fall, Jesus felt spasms up and down his legs. Struggling as he might, under the weight of his cross, he was not able to rise to his feet. And so a man was called out of the crowd, to help him. As tired as he was, this only angered Jesus. Not only at himself, but also at the men. He would eventually forgive them for what they did to him. He could not forgive these people for harming an innocent bystander.
Simon, the man who had been called, however, obliged, obviously out of fear. While Simon was a relief, and helped him gain the ability to rise to his feet, he vowed to himself to keep Simon from having to carry too much of the burden. This burden should have been Jesus' alone, and dragging Simon into helped Jesus physically, but did nothing for his mental state.
Angry that innocent,
Must suffer with him,
Angry at the soldiers,
For not recognizing a sin.
Falling down hard,
While only wanting to rise,
Before long, he might as well,
Rest in the skies
Get up! Hold on!
His soundless whisper,
A sacrifice made,
For his brothers and sisters.
As the first nail slammed his hand onto the cross, Jesus began feeling relieved. The last part of his journey finally had come, and he would make sure that the Jewish understood that this was the way things had to end. But only for now.
As the cross was hung, Jesus was pressed even harder to draw breath. His body, hanging limply on the cross, felt as if it was crushing his lungs. In any case, breathing became extremely difficult. Not to mention that the loss of blood seemed to tear his head into pieces. It was just a matter of moments now…
Until, that is, he started listening to the criminals tied to their crosses on either side. On was leering at him.
"Save, us! Save yourself, 'King of the Jews!' We knew it all along, you bastard! You're a fluke." This happened to be much like what the soldiers had been leering at Jesus as he carried the cross.
The other criminal, finally faced with death, turned his head towards Jesus. His voice came out hoarse, but he managed to beg Jesus for repentance. This – the moment Jesus had been waiting for. Complete and total impact on another soul. And this, everyone would bear witness to. Hope outweighing the pain, Jesus replied in a voice as loud as he could muster.
"You will join me before the Gates of Heaven. For even though you have sinned, I have set you free."
That man slipped two tears of joy, before his body drew one last breath, and slumped on the cross. That man had been waiting to amend himself before God. His goal fulfilled, he was able to die in peace.
Jesus caught sight of his mother, Mary, standing silently in the crowd. Tears streaked her soiled face, as she looked upon her dying son. Mary knew that her son had given his everything for the Jewish. Pride for her son did not even come close to how Mary felt. But she knew that he had achieved what no other could have – the passageways into the Gates of Heaven were now open. All sinners could now enter, no matter their race, gender, or age. For this, she felt both awe and respect for her son. She had known he would come to greatness, but had not known how. He had loved his people, and was willing to do anything to lead them to God.
The repentance of sinners would allow them to meet their Lord. Her son had completed his mission, and would die at peace.
Jesus smiled down at his mother, joy on his face for what he knew he'd accomplished. Death took him, but not as an ending. As a beginning of hope – the hope of everlasting life – for all people.
A/N: I realize that this story may sound a little like The Passion of the Christ. I've never seen that movie, so I have no idea what to compare it to. This was just something I was inspired to write during one of my CCD (religous ed) classes. If there is some part in my story extremely like the movie, would you please let me know so that I can change that part? Thank you!