It is Finished

I have read the story of the crucifixion more times than I can count. I have yet been able to watch the “Passion of the Christ”. The suffering that we humans placed on Jesus is beyond comprehension and I struggle reading about it let alone seeing it on a movie screen. In recent years, I read the story multiple times and imagine what it would have been like to be present that day. I imagine myself as Pilate, having to sentence Jesus even though he disagreed with the Jewish leaders. I can feel his angst as he realizes that there is no right choice in this matter. I imagine myself as the Jewish leaders asking for the unthinkable as all they believed in, as their power, is threatened by this humble man. I can feel their fear that drives them to shout “Crucify!” I imagine myself as the soldiers doing their job and already numb to the horrors they are called to do time and again. I imagine myself as Simon wishing he had scheduled his trip at a different time, wondering why he was selected to carry the cross. I imagine the women wanting to hold on to Him just a little longer and the depth of sorrow they must have felt. I imagine myself as Peter denying Jesus when asked, nowhere near as bold in my faith when feeling personally threatened. I can imagine myself in all these shoes, but not in the shoes of Jesus.