Agony On The Stake

ALONG with Jesus two robbers are being led out to be executed. Not far from the city, the procession comes to a halt at the place called Golgotha, or Skull Place. The prisoners are stripped of their garments. Then wind drugged with myrrh is provided. Apparently it is prepared by the women of Jerusalem, and the Romans do not deny this pain-dulling potion to those being impaled. However, when Jesus tastes it, he refuses to drink. Why? Evidently he wants to have full possession of all his faculties during this supreme test of his faith.

Jesus is now stretched out on the stake with his hands placed above his head. The soldiers then pound large nails into his hands and into his feet. He wrenches with pain as the nails pierce flesh and ligaments. When the stake is swung upright, the pain is excruciating, for the weight of the body tears at the nail wounds. Yet, rather than threaten, Jesus prays for the Roman soldiers: "Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."

Pilate has posted on the stake a sign that reads: "Jesus the Nazarene the King of the Jews." Apparently, he writes this not only because he respects Jesus but because he loathes the Jewish priests for their having wrung Jesus' death sentence from him. So that all may read the sign, Pilate has it written in three languages-in Hebrew, in the official Latin and in the common Greek.

The chief priests, including Caiaphas and Annas, are dismayed. This positive proclamation spoils their hour of triumph. Therefore they protest: "Do not write 'The King of the Jews,' but that he said, 'I am the King of the Jews.'" Chafing from having served as a pawn of the priests, Pilate answers with resolute contempt: "What I have written I have written."

The priests, along with a large crowd, now gather at the site of the execution, and the priests refute the testimony of the sign. They repeat false testimony that was given earlier at the Sanhedrin trials. Not surprisingly, therefore, passersby begin speaking abusively, wagging their heads in mockery and saying: "O you would-be-thrower-down of the temple and builder of it in three days, save yourself! If you are a Son of God, come down off the torture stake!"

Next time: Conclusion of Agony On The Stake

The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived, 1991