Miracle at Golgotha - Augustus (best short books to read TXT) 📗

too beaten to carry the beam and the stranger would have to take his place.
The dark stranger lifted one end of the beam onto his shoulder and began a slow walk toward Golgotha. Jesus trailed immediately behind him.

Chapter 17

When they arrived at the Place of Skulls, it was the third hour and the sun was bright. Titus was saddened but not surprised to see his father and Gestas already on their crosses. Gestas, hung there and reviled Jesus, saying, “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us.”
Dimas, however, rebuked him, replying, “Have you no fear of God?” He panted as if running out of air. “You and I are subject to the same condemnation. And indeed, we’ve been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.”
No doubt Titus’ father had fallen prey to the tortures of his guilty conscience.
“Sure he has,” said Gestas. “He incited an insurrection.”
“No, Gestas, from what I know, he tried to give us hope of a new kingdom, that’s all.” Dimas raised his weary head and gazed upon the crucified Jew. “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Titus was flabbergasted. He had no idea his father followed the teachings of Jesus. His mind returned to their conversation a few nights prior when Titus had tried to explain the Galilean’s teachings. This was a side of his father he’d never seen.
Then Jesus replied to Dimas, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
At that very moment, angry dark clouds began to form rapidly over the Kidron Valley and the city of Jerusalem. Titus looked up and saw the moon turn red and become covered with ashen spots. The wind began to whip as though a ghostly storm was imminent. Titus understood now why they called this place Golgotha, the place of skulls. Women screamed when a lightning bolt shot through the air and hit the ground only a few paces behind the cross upon which Jesus hung.
At one point, a dark-skinned Roman soldier must have pitied the Galilean teacher. He held a sponge on a stick, soaked in sour wine to the mouth of the crucified man. Titus looked closer and recognized the centurion. It was Marcus Donatus.
It was the middle of the afternoon in the ninth hour when Titus heard Jesus moan. It sounded more like a mournful prayer than the sound of a man in pain. Dimas and Gestas remained quiet with their heads hung low. Jesus strained to lift his head. Then, in a desperately human utterance, the crucified Galilean cried out,
“My God, My God, Why hast thou forsaken me?”
Just then, a long ray of light like a luminous path in the air descended from the heavens.
Titus glanced at his father. Even with his two legs having been broken by the soldiers, Dimas was still breathing.

TO BE CONTINUED.

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Publication Date: 01-14-2012

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Dedication:
To all who enjoy the written word, Christians, Jews and Gentiles alike.