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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Easter (05/30/05)
His family had made the journey with him this time. Today they would celebrate together the resurrection of the hope of all humanity. It had been twenty years since he stood on this hillside as a young boy, but the images from that day were just as vivid in his mind as the day it happened. He remembered the blood, the agony, the cross – the love. It was on that day that he experienced what true love really was.

Without his father’s permission he had witnessed the flogging of the supposed criminal called Jesus. Tears ran down his cheeks as the floggers repeatedly brutalized this innocent man. How anyone could withstand such brutality and live was a miracle in itself. Blood pooled at the feet of Jesus as he stumbled along the narrow streets. Carrying his own cross caused Jesus to fall repeatedly until a Roman soldier forced another man to carry the heavy burden for him.

How could anyone going through such tremendous agony feel or even express compassion? Yet, that is what the young boy saw as he looked into the bloodied face of Jesus. The Savior looked down from the cross at the crowd gathered and pushed down on his nail pierced feet to get a breath.

“Father …” he gasped. “…forgive them. They don’t know … what they’re doing.”

A short time later he breathed his last breath. The sky darkened. The ground shook violently as if the earth itself was sobbing at the death of the only son of God. The young boy went sprawling at the feet of a Roman Centurion.

“Truly this was the son of God.” The soldier said as lightening filled the blackened sky and thunder roared.

Later, he stared through tear-reddened eyes as the bloodied body of Jesus was placed in a borrowed tomb. It took several soldiers to roll the round, giant slab of stone in place to seal the opening. Finally, a squad of soldiers stood in place to guard the tomb.

“Just in case his followers attempt to steal the body.” He had overheard the religious leaders say.

They thought they had done away with him. They thought he was gone forever – they were wrong! Three days later the tomb was empty! Many had seen him! He was alive! He had risen from the dead just as he said he would! He had paid in full the penalty for the sins of everyone for all time. The awesome love of God demonstrated to all of humanity for all eternity.

It all seemed like it had just happened, but it was many years ago. A gentle breeze caressed his face as a tear ran down his cheek. His young daughter gently grabbed his hand bringing his thoughts back to the present.

“Papa? Why are you crying?” she asked.

“My daughter,” he said as he closed her hand in his. “Let me tell you why we must never forget what God has done for us on the cross.”
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This article has been read 1142 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Delores Baber
06/06/05
Loved this "report from the past". This eyewitness account was filled with emotion and the true meaning of Easter. It changes lives. We serve a risen Lord. Congrats!!
Leticia Caroccio
06/07/05
I really enjoy reading "personal" accounts of biblical history. It gives it a sense of reality and gives us images of the truth that we already know. Your account was no different. To see this painful and horrific moment through the eyes of a child was poignant and lovely.

I especially liked the end, where the child put her hand in her father's hand. How symbolic. Loved it. Nicely done.
Shari Armstrong 
06/07/05
The flashback was nicely done. It helped show that he wasn't just caught up in the momment, that the Lord really changed his life.
dub W
06/08/05
Telling the story in this manner brings it to the personal level. Thank you for your submission.
Amy Verlennich
06/09/05
Loved this story and the perspective you took. Love the idea of how the story was retold, and how it touched those at that time. Thank you.
Phyllis Inniss 
06/10/05
I like the device you used. An eye witness account from the past and brought back to the present with his daughter's hand in his. Very touching.
Peggy Yengling
06/12/05
The human touch - literally - with the child's hand in his and his vivid memory coming to life once again reached my heart, too. So well done!
Joyce Simoneaux
06/13/05
This was an excellent story. Very good imagery. I liked the way you placed the boy at each point to bring out key points of the events that led up to and Jesus' death and burial. Bringing the story through the years of the main character and then passing it along to a future generation was a good ending...or new beginning.