Yeshua ben Yosef
I am a Centurion of the Roman Legion, VI Ferrata.
I was stationed in the Roman Provincia Judea in the city of Caesarea, it is the 15th year of the reign of Tiberius Julius Caesar. I am assigned to Fifth Prefect Pontius Pilate Procurator of the Equestrian Order. It is the time of the Jewish Passover in the city of Jerusalem it is the year 29 CE.
I was summoned by Prefect Pontius Pilate, it is the middle of the morning and two days before the Jewish Holiday. The city of Jerusalem a population of under 50,000 people has already grown to 400,000 and still the roads are filled as even more arrive. I recognized the High Priest of the Sanhedrin Caiaphas, as he was departing.
My orders were to proceed to the city of Jerusalem, where I would meet the High Priest Caiaphas outside the BethKeneseth (Jewish Temple). I was to accompany the Temple Guards and to assist as necessary the arrest Yeshua ben Yosef of Nasrath. Who was being charged with sedition and his disruptive behavior over the exchange of offerings inside the Temple grounds. It was one thing to speak about a new kingdom that was yet to come, as well as proclaim oneself the King Of The Jews. And another to disrupt the exchange of money, a portion of which came into the hands of the Prefect. Which would be used to pay for all of the civil improvements being made to the city of Jerusalem as well taxes to Rome. An example was to be made of him.
There I was to be introduced to a Hebrew male, one Yhudah IsQriyoth son of Simeon IsQriyoth a small town some three days march from the city. He would lead us to where this man and his group of disciples were alleged to be encamped. Yhudah IsQriyoth would embrace Yeshua ben Yosef, and then with a kiss him upon the check. A positive identification would be made. Since our presence inside the city walls would be disruptive at any time. But during the time of their Passover Celebration, it would be viewed as nothing less than a sacrilege.
We would follow a route that would draw as little attention as possible, towards the oldest part of the city. Har HaZeitim and it’s base GatSmanim were Yeshua ben Yosef and his disciples were encamped. Upon our arrival the identification went as planned. At that point an exchange of words, something about betrayal and traitor. One of his followers Shimon bar Yona disarmed one of the Temple Guards. Using his sword he struck him along the right side of the face. Yeshua ben Yosef ordered him to stop and withdraw and saying something to the effect that “this is not the way”. He then approached the wounded and bleeding man, calmly addressed the guard and despite being covered in blood his wound appeared tobe healed. He then surrendered without further incident, and his followers dispersed. He was then led back to BethKeneseth where they were waiting to begin his interrogation and trial by the Sanhedrin. At which time he was found guilty of sedition. At that time he still in the care of the Temple Guard, I and my Contubernium, departed to file a report with the Procurator and confirm and learn of any changes to the order Of Execution. Upon my return I observed the aftermath of what was clearly a savage beating, a Crown of Thorns was assembled from a Jujube Tree a form of fruit tree common to the area. The crown had been forced down upon his head, the thorns piercing the skin resulting in blood loss, and pain. An order was issued to clean the prisoner up, at which time buckets of water laced with salt were poured over the prisoner until he was thoroughly rinsed of blood he had lost. On the morning of Passover celebration, the High Priest Caiaphas had Yeshua ben Yosef brought before Prefect Pontius Pilate, who listen to arguments concerning all of alleged crimes.
And despite his adamant position on being the King of The Jews, and the coming New Kingdom. The Prefect found him not guilty of a crime that warranted his being put to death. And upon learning that Yeshua ben Yosef was in fact from HaGalil and under the jurisdiction of Herod Antipas. And therefore any decision concerning the death of this man rested with him. Not wishing to become involved with another religious fanatic death, he returned him to the Prefect Pontius Pilate. At which point the Prefect following the Passover tradition of allowing the crowd to decide the fate of Yeshua ben Yosef , or the Yeshua Bar-abba. The Prefect washed his hands in front of a cheering crowd.
“I am innocent of this man’s blood.”
“It is your responsibility”
To which the crowd sang in unissuant.
“His blood is on us, and on our children”
Our standard treatment called for the prisoner to be scourged, further reducing his strength and preparation for his Crucifixion. Due to the savagery he had already experienced, I deem it unnecessary. In addition the condemned are required to bear the weight of their own cross. This also drains the strength of the most hardy, greatly reducing the time needed for the condemned to hang on the cross while dying.
The crowd that had gathered was clearly a mixture of followers and non believers of this alleged King Of The Jews. Amidst the stones, and spit as well as the insults being hurled at the condemned. His strength obviously failing, a tall healthy and well built male pushed his way to the front of the crowd, As he looked down upon the sweating and bleeding condemned prisoner. He mouthed words in silence, looking skyward and then away unable to look upon this man. His face showed sorrow and compassion, for these reasons he was chosen to bear the weight of the cross for the condemned. I was informed that the man was named Simon of Cyrene, a Jew from the once Greek Colony of Cyrene, now a Roman Province in Northern Africa.
As the sun continued to rise, we made are way through the old city. The customs of these people would not permit the condemned to put to death within the walls of Jerusalem. He was to be placed upon the cross at some gathering place called Gugalta. Where tombs had been cut into the rock formation, from which it’s name is derived. For from a distance it appears to be a very large human skull.
As the Sun reached it’s highest point, the first of three condemned prisoners was first tied to the cross. This is being done to prevent the body from sagging and pulling against the nails driven into the feet and hands. The sound of the heavy wooden mallet being used echoed against the wall of closed and sealed tombs. The hands are done first, the feet last as the pain from torn flesh and the crunch of breaking bones. Makes the condemned last mobile and the feet and legs are easier to control. For it takes more time to drive the largest nail through both feet, as it must support the weight of the condemned.
Yeshua ben Yosef, was hung on the cross last and the Sun was clearly past its highest point.
The cries from his followers and cheers from those who come as the spectators of pain and misery. An eerie silence falls upon a crowd as the sound of mallet stringing the nail is heard. The crowd tends to sympathize with the condemned, you can hear the gasp in unison followed by cries of agony. Those who came to ridicule this King Of The Jews, the Son Of the Living God, would smile or smirk with each blow. Laugh amongst themselves, crying out mean and hateful things, far more than any other crucifixion.
The custom of these people, called for dead to brought down, bathed and dressed before the Sun went down. Yeshua ben Yosef, was first given a wine which had turned to vinegar he refused, later he was given a wine mixed with myrrh which he drank. When the Sun had begun to reach the lower of the day and still he lived. I gave the order for this long day of suffering to end. The point of spear was placed at a point below his ribs on the right hand side. It was thrust upward at a slight angle. Cutting through muscle and lung, piercing his heart. At which point death came quickly and the brutality and suffering inflicted upon him ended.
The cross was lowered, his body removed by mourners. A detachment of guards, comprised of both Temple Guards and members of my own squadron. Were assigned to stay with the body until burial, and see that no one was able to further assault him or abscond with his body. Amidst claims by this man and his followers that he would he be risen from the dead. The members of my squadron would be taken away in chains, their punishment for falling a sleep while on duty.
Was to be taken to the border of the Western Frontier, a death sentence, for few survived or returned.
A stone placed in front of the tomb alleged to belong to a Sea Merchant, one Yosef of Ha-ramathaim another remote and obscure hovel found throughout the Provinca Judea. Had been moved and only the burial cloth was found. A search of the area was conducted, as reports of sightings throughout the city and province were reported. As the Festival Of Passover ended and the fervor of his death and alleged resurrection subsided. An uneasy peace came over the region, as life returned to normal. And as in the previous Passovers, the city would be cleaned and renewed and everything was the same as before. Reports of Yeshua ben Yosef being seen alive and talking to people would continue and in time those who witnessed all of it grew silent. I decided to place all of this in writing, before the events I myself witness became corrupted by time and intermingled with other accounts. I can not say what became of this man, after he was placed in the tomb. And I left to file an official report to the Procurator, as to the death and burial of Yeshua ben Yosef. And I quietly accepted his resurrection, and shared that belief with my wife and children.
I chose to use the Hebrew names of the people involved in the original account. And attempted to not add Facts to this story that did not already exist.
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