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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Easter (05/30/05)
I wince as the cruel spikes sink into your flesh and pause for a second as if to embed themselves deeper, before dancing away again, ripping your flesh with them. I can barely stand the sight of it, let alone imagine the excruciating agony. Each lash of the whip makes me jump, and I soon lose count of the strokes. Your blood stains my vision. A piece of flesh, torn off by the whip, flies into the air and lands on one of the onlookers. I am overcome with the urge to wretch and I quickly look away. Somehow, amid the terrible chaos, your eyes find mine. All my thoughts flee before one profound question...

Why?

A crown of thorns is forced into your head, sending fresh blood trickling down your face. The soldiers jeer and beat you. I know that with a few words you could silence them, that with a simple prayer you could return to your Father in heaven. Yet you stay still and silent. You accept their unjust punishment without complaint.

Why?

I watch as you try and force your tortured body to drag the cross on which you are to die. I see you fall, time and time again. The soldiers beat you like they would a worthless beast. Your naked body is exposed for all to see, your shame is written clearly on your face. The crowd taunts and mocks, laughing each time you fall. You experience the deepest humiliation any man has ever faced - and you do so by choice!

Why?

The thick nails are hammered through your wrists and feet, piercing through nerves, muscle and bone. Oh how every blow makes you gasp! The fresh wounds on your back rub against the wooden post, causing them to bleed once more. Finally, you are in place. Yet you must endure many more hours of agony before your death.

Why?

The crowd slowly disperses. Your last moments of life are counted as unworthy to be witnessed. I see your muscles straining, your chest gasping for breath. The pain on your face is not hidden. I know that it goes far deeper than the physical torture. The world’s sin presses heavily upon you. Your own Father turns His face away, unable to look at you. You have been judged, shamed and tortured by the people you came to save. You have been betrayed by your closest friends. And now, in your final moments, you struggle - utterly abandoned. I come before you and kneel at your cross. At last I manage to croak out the question that has been burning in my heart.

“Why?”

Your tortured eyes lock onto mine and for a moment become calm.

“Because,” you answer with a small smile, “I would rather die than live eternity without you.”
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This article has been read 1090 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Delores Baber
06/06/05
Fantastic! I suspect this was written by Mel Gibson, so descriptive of the agony of His passion. The last line blew me away! You are blessed to have been gifted with the ability to make the horror and the wonder come alive within the mind of the reader. My heart broke anew.
Shari Armstrong 
06/07/05
Good descriptions. Made it very real.
dub W
06/08/05
Great descriptive work. The "Why" in the paragraph breaks adds to the dramatic and passion. Thank you.
Amy Verlennich
06/09/05
I, too, liked the "why" breaks in your beautiful writing. Thank you.
Leticia Caroccio
06/09/05
Here, here. I thought the whys added drama to your article. It gave it a certain rhythm that served to carry the reader from moment to moment in the agony of our Lord. Loved the ending. Nicely done.
Phyllis Inniss 
06/10/05
Very vivid picture of the agony that Christ suffered for us. Your entry was a good dramatization of the event.
Michelle Burkhardt
06/11/05
I had chills from the vivid description. Nicely written
Joyce Simoneaux
06/13/05
I really enjoyed this piece. It was very descriptive and dramatic. I loved the last line. It was the answer to all the "Whys," which is why I might have called it "The Answer."