Letter #22: Jesus is Dead

 Dear Michael, 

THEY KILLED HIM! It happened so quickly…I woke up and they…something about a trial last night…someone mentioned a sword being used…he was beaten…there was a cross and nails…Jesus is dead!

I apologize Michael, this wasn’t what I was expecting when I woke up this morning. Like I said it all happened so quickly. I don’t have all the details but it seems that Jesus was arrested at some point last night. For some reason He was put on trial before the Sanhedrin early this morning. There’s no way for this to be lawful, it always seemed those Pharisees were looking for a way to get after Him. Especially after Jesus caused that scene in the temple earlier this week. From what I can make of it none of His disciples were with Him. Rumors are spreading that he might of even been betrayed. It’s so hard to know what is true and what is false. I couldn’t imagine one of them doing that to Him. Why? What would one have to gain from doing so!? It just doesn’t make sense to me. 

I was awaken early this morning by my brother Jonathan. It had to of been at least the second hour of the day. He shook me until I woke up. At first I couldn’t tell what he was saying. Between just waking up and his frantic breathing it took me a second to piece things together. He is the one who filled me in with the few details I shared already. He told me that they were sending Jesus to Pontius Pilate, so I got ready as quick as I could and went running towards Pilates court. By the time I arrived I was too late. I could only hear what was happening inside those walls. There seemed to be shouting back and forth until finally I heard a name, Barabbas. They were yelling for this revolutionary to be freed. What I heard next made my stomach drop,  in a thunderous shout I heard the words “Crucify Him!”. I couldn’t see but deep down I knew they were talking about Jesus. My fears were only confirmed when I saw them drag Him out and tie Him to a post. Michael…they stripped Him of His clothes and began to whip Him over and over again. The sound of the whip hitting Him followed by His yells as they ripped the whip out of His flesh…I want to forget but I can’t. They didn’t stop either. What seemed like hours these men went in until they tired themselves out. I have never seen so much blood in my life…

Next thing I know they have laid a cross on His shoulders and were making Him carry it to Golgotha. He would wince with every step. I can’t imagine the pain of the rough wood on His open flesh. Agonizing pain. This image of Jesus is a far cry from the one we both saw this past Sunday. I remember seeing Him ride in on a donkey and joining in with others as we laid down branches for Him to ride on top of. Jonathan even laid down his cloak! This was what we have been waiting for, Messiah has come. Yet what I see today makes me question. This isn’t who the prophets were speaking about is it? I know He has done miracles, Johnathan was at the pool of Bethesda when He healed that one guy. I’ve heard about Him feeding thousands, giving sight to the blind, opening deaf ears. Surly this can’t just be a regular man! Yet instead of branches being laid down I saw people yelling, laughing, and making fun of Him…He is Messiah right? But they killed Him…I don’t know. He’s dead, obviously He isn’t.

When He reached the top they laid Him on this dust covered, blood stained cross. The sound of the hammer hitting the nails they used to pin him to the cross echoed down into the valley. Then, like all the other criminals, the Roman soldiers lifted Him up for all to see and for Him to suffer even more. He hung there while these Roman pigs played games to see who got to keep His clothing. These men claim to be superior to us but often show themselves to have no class or dignity for others. I stood there for a long time. Waiting to see, as those around me pointed out, if He really is the Son of God then come down, save yourself. Yet nothing…Even those being crucified on either side of Him mocked Him at some point. Eventually his breathing began to slow down as if He didn’t have to grasp so hard for one breath like he had been for hours. He yelled something out and I watched as His body slumped. All of us there knew what had just happened, He was dead. To my knowledge someone took the body and buried it. I didn’t stay long after His last breaths were taken. 
Michael, my heart is grieving. This day has been one of many tears and anger. This was it, Jesus was suppose to be Messiah. His teachings, the miracles, everything! I didn’t believe when you and Jonathan told me about Him for the first time, but I started to…but now. I can’t make sense of any of this! I truly hope to find out more details about what actually happened last night with this arrest. Maybe I can find one of His disciples and ask them. Not sure if they are still in the city after today. I don’t blame them. I intend on writing to you again tomorrow, so until then…

Your Friend, 

Ananias