While still a slave, suffering endless tortures, Chana witnesses the crucifixion of her beloved Yeshua. Throughout her time in slavery she encountered Yeshua several times and witnessed a couple of His miracles. He provided her with hope in the face of her tormenters.
Chana is sent out by her cruel mistress, Fabia. to silence the Jewish crowds in Jerusalem for the Passover. (I don’t know how Fabia expects a mute slave girl to do that.) When Chana steps through the gates of the villa she is swept up in the crowds following the convicted Yeshua.
After stopping in the kitchen to check on Fabia’s breakfast, Chana scampered to the front gate and stepped through. People line the street shouting, “Crucify Him!”
She pushed herself to the front of the crowd. Two centurions on horseback led a procession. Chana recognized Leonidas, the centurion whose servant Yeshua healed. She backed up as the centurions passed her, creating a path through the crowd.
Sobbing drowned out the screaming. Chana turned her head to find the source. Stumbling behind the centurions, a man caried a heavy cross like the ones to crucify criminals. She scrambled to get away as the crowd pushed her closer to the sweaty, blood-covered man. He looked into her eyes as she knelt on the ground beside Him. Realization struck her like the stone that crippled her abba. The man smiled despite the pain and sorrow she saw in His eyes. Yeshua. Chana reached out and touched his blood-stained cheek. With her other hand, she wiped blood from His face before a centurion on foot pulled her to her feet and out of the path.
Little does Chana know this is also the beginning of her personal crucifixion and resurrection as she witnesses Yeshua’s cruel crucifixion. Although she will not witness the resurrection, her life will drastically change because of it.
Chana’s tears came like a flood as she watched Mary approach the cross. One of Yeshua’s followers supported Mary as she stood there. Chana fought the urge to run to Mary. She envied the woman’s calm demeanor that concealed a pain greater than can be imagined.
The nightmare needed to end. Chana needed to wake up and find it was naught but a dream. Why didn’t anyone stop this madness?
Yeshua cried out. One of the centurions offered him something to drink. Yeshua refused to drink. Chana wondered what it was, maybe sour wine. It seemed like something these cruel tormentors would try.
Then she saw Leonidas, standing off to the side, alone. His head turned and looked away from the cross. Tears shone on the man’s face which was frozen in a mask of fear and anger. He started to walk down the hill when Acanthus yelled, “Leonidas, where do you think you’re going?”
“I can’t watch this anymore.” Leonidas directed people off the hill.
“Leonidas, I order you to stay until I say you can leave,” Acanthus said.
Leonidas returned to his post, but refused to look at the dying man.
While on the subject of crucifixion and resurrection I realized on Easter Sunday that Dragon Disciples: Resurrection is going through a crucifixion and resurrection in a sense. I will not get into the details, as I have already shared the circumstances. After months of issues and a quasi release, the old publisher is no longer in the picture and that part of the journey has been crucified. Now with a new publisher, Pandora’s Order, there is a resurrection of Dragon Disciples: Resurrection.
Stay tuned in the upcoming months for news of the new launch date and promotion. Exciting times are ahead.
Italicized text is excerpts from Dragon Disciples: Resurrection.
