This is the story of a man and a cross. This is a historical story, that really happened. This is the story of a man who suffered and died. But who rose again. This is a story of love for me and love for you. It is not filtered. The cruelty of the Romans is not censored, nor the reality of their brutality. This is the truth of a God who gave Himself for broken humanity.

The call rings out through the desolate streets. It is not destitute in numbers or crowds but in compassion and mercy. The people have gathered from far and wide to celebrate the Passover feast. In ancient days long past, songs of praise and delight once echoed and re-echoed across the dusty plains, filling the hearts of the hearers. From the city walls to the fields of ripening grain, the shouts of acclamation had reached even to heaven as sweet clouds of incense.

With voices united they sang the rapturous words;

"O come, let us sing unto the Lord!

Let us come and make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.

Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving,

And make a joyful noise with psalms!"

But those days are past, and seemingly forgotten. A far more sinister song is now sung on pitiless lips. Forsaking the faith and hope of their fathers before them, a deep and cruel desire bubbles to the surface of the frenzied assembly.

"Crucify Him!" Comes the bitter scream of the multitude.

The man accused stands silent and unprotesting before the people. With His hands bound cruelly, the calm figure looks with soft, sad eyes into the crowd. His gaze touches every person's face and a profound sorrow is visible in His stare. For what crime is this quiet, noble individual to suffer death on a Roman cross?

"For blasphemy," sneers one Pharisee to a questioning, hesitating member of the crowd.

"This man claims to be God," scorns a second religious leader. "He has laid aside our traditions!"

"But surely," whispers the enquiring soul, "He does not deserve such a humiliating death? Pontius Pilate himself declares that He is innocent."

The voice of meek protest is swiftly silenced as an uproar takes the crowd. Another person in chains is being released. The second man has nothing of the peace, dignity and sadness of the first, and his countenance is darkened with a leering smirk. With snarls of hostility, he writhes against the soldiers holding him captive.

For a moment, the multitude shrinks from the wild hatred of the second man as he is loosed from his bindings and darts into the crowd. A few members of the bustling throng shudder away, for they know this man. It is Barabbas, a murderous lawbreaker who has committed crimes of revulsion and utter inhumanity. There is no remorse in Barabbas' cold eyes as he spits insults at those he passes before vanishing into the mass of tightly packed human bodies.

What a contrast, some are forced to admit to themselves as they compare Barabbas to the still, humble and unmurmuring figure of Jesus of Nazareth. Perhaps choosing the hardened criminal's freedom over the serene man before them was indeed a mistake.

The event from minutes earlier is fresh in their minds.

"Who will I release to you?" Pilate had asked the clamorous people, "Jesus or Barabbas?"

The call was immediately answered, and the governor's face fell at the forceful response. After multiple trials, all who had examined Jesus had come to the same invariable conclusion. Jesus had done nothing wrong and certainly didn't deserve the death penalty. Pilate, all the same, could not muster the strength to outright deny the tempestuous gathering their unjust demand.

"Give us Barabbas!" Was the chant of the seething multitude.

"What then," answered Pilate back tensely, "shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?"

The howl of the crowd had offered those fateful words, and terrible song.

"Crucify Him!"

Pilate shrank from the tumult of the masses. All around were him men and women who with determined shrieks called for the innocent man's death. It seemed to matter little to the turbulent congregation that Jesus had been found guiltless of all crime and accusation. Nonetheless, few faces were looking on in horror, disbelieving the irrational provocations of the common people and religious leaders alike.

"Behold your King!" The governor shouted to the crowd, gesturing to Jesus who merely watched on wordlessly. The Roman official had hoped to bring some sense into the multitude, but they would not hear him.

"Away with Him, away with Him! Crucify Him!" The people thundered, an unrestrained agitation taking over them.

Incredulously, Pilate exclaimed, "Shall I crucify your King?"

The chief priests answered with a loud voice, "We have no King but Caesar!"

Seeing the people would not be turned to see reason, Pilate relented. Taking a basin of water, the governor gathered the attention of the people. Washing his hands in the clear fluid, he declared, "I am innocent of the blood of this blameless person. You see to it!"

In one voice, united in their sinister goal, the vast assembly had cried, "His blood be on us and our children!"

How regretful those words seem now, as the freed criminal scrambles away. Some are led to question the sanity of such a decision. There is no surprise in Jesus' warm eyes, nothing but grief and love. Those who dare look into His silent stare feel a rush of conviction that truly, the man before them has committed no wrong. Somehow, there is no weakness or fragility in that gentle figure. An inner strength radiates out from Him and a regal, virtuous quality attends His presence.

Pilate's last command before he disappears into the court inspires the malicious joy of the majority, while a small number turns away in dismay and astonishment. A sour taste penetrates their mouth as the command to scourge Jesus is given.

Without a word, Jesus allows Himself to be led to the platform where His hands are bound to a pole. A Roman soldier takes the frightful position as Jesus is stripped. The evil instrument is handed to the solider as the innocent man bows His head, awaiting the first strike.

Those watching cannot help but flinch as the first blow wraps tightly around Jesus's back and stomach. Harsh iron bites into delicate skin. With a ferocious backward rip, the whip is reclaimed and ribbons of skin are torn away. The Roman instrument, dedicated for those condemned to death by crucifixion, consists of leather cords with sharp slices of metal worked into the very fabric of the weapon. Most never survive a Roman scourging, several of the crowd soberly remember as they stare at the unmoving figure before them.

It will be, as noted especially by the Rabbis and elders, the Sabbath in only a few hours. Crucifixion can take days to kill its victim, so provision must be made to speed the process along.

"In order to keep the holy day from being polluted, Jesus needs to die before the sun sets," the religious leaders had insisted to the Roman authorities.

The vibrant crimson of blood slides slowly to the ground as if in answer. A second strike. A soft cry of pain is the only complaint to be heard. Tears glisten in Jesus' eyes as He grits his teeth. The drops of blood become small pools and then merge to become a lake of red around Jesus' feet. Time seems to blend as at last, the punishment is complete.

Mothers shield the eyes of their frightened children who gaze in horror at Jesus. His skin, once so clear and pure, is now but a red slab of bleeding flesh and exposed bone. The violence and severity of the punishment cause some to lose their stomachs and vomit onto the street. Over 80 strikes have resulted in the utter ruin of Jesus' back. Those who chanted minutes earlier 'Crucify Him! Crucify Him!' begin to question their words. And yet, most show no sympathy as Jesus is unbound and roughly dragged away to the Praetorium.

There a garrison of soldiers surrounds Him who has not uttered a word of protest. Shuddering and weak from blood loss, Jesus stands before the harsh stares of men who are not acquainted with mercy. The Roman men begin to ridicule Jesus, pulling from Him the last of His clothing. A fine cloak made of beautiful scarlet material is placed around His shoulders.

Thin branches of a thorny plant are twisted deftly together to form a painful crown. It is pressed firmly upon the head of Jesus, who stares with sympathy and agony at the soldier contemptuously crowning Him. His look of tenderness is returned by a cruel taunt and brutish slap across the face.

Fresh blood drips as a royal staff is pressed into Jesus' right hand. With mocking reverence, the soldiers bow at the feet of the bleeding man.

"Hail, the King of the Jews!" They taunt, laughing among themselves. A few move close to spit on the open wounds of Jesus. To their frustration, He does not respond to their insults, inspiring further sneers and assault. Snatching the staff from Jesus' grip, they strike Jesus ferociously on the head with the rod. The barb-like thorns are driven further into His brow, streams of blood mingling with His silent tears.

Finally satisfied with their wicked torture, the Roman soldiers roughly pull off the scarlet robe now utterly soaked in the blood of the guiltless man. Dressing Him in His clothes, they lead Him off to be crucified.

Placing the heavy burden of the roughhewn cross on Jesus' shoulders, the soldiers force Him to take step after agonising step toward Golgotha, the place of the skull. After merely moments, the strength of Jesus' body fails and He collapses. The soldiers offer Him no reprieve. Again, the weight of the cross bears down on the injured shoulders of the Messiah as He is forced to stand. Once more, Jesus falls to the dirt, unable to bear the terrible burden as the hard wood scrapes exposed bone. The crowds press closely beside the procession, following with intense interest.

A man named Simon, a stranger in the land, is compelled by the Romans to bear the cross of Jesus the short journey to the fateful hill. The innocent man is shoved to His feet once again. Every step Jesus takes is laborious and tortuous, even without the severe weight of the cross on His shoulders. He is mercilessly pushed along, barely able to stand from exhaustion and shock.

A number of the multitude watch the spectacle with wide eyes. They remember vividly that this is the man that healed their families from illness and blindness. This is the man that had spoken words of comfort and love, showing sympathy and kindness freely. Could they so easily forget Him who had cast out demons and preached words of forgiveness and goodness? The women of the city begin to wail, not for the Son of Man, but the loss of a healer and friend.

The sharp keens of the women meet Jesus' ears as He gathers the strength to lift His head. His eyes are filled with deep compassion and warmth as He surveys the swelling crowd. Jesus' friends and family witness in utter dismay and distress the state of their beloved companion and Teacher. They try to move through the crowd to reach Him but are pushed back by the railing masses.

A mournful sob is heard above the noise of the crowd as Jesus' mother sees her precious son being taken to His death. Yet she is unable to go to Him and is inconsolable. A stab of grief pierces her heart like an arrow. How she longs to lovingly tend to her son's wounds. One of Jesus' disciples supports the overwhelmed woman as she staggers and almost faints.

When Jesus, at last, arrives at Calvary, He is offered vinegar mixed with gall. After tasting the mixture, Jesus refuses to drink. The multitude looks on in wonder, for the concoction is thought to take away pain. Two other men, both thieves also bearing crosses, are prepared for crucifixion.

The priests and religious leaders watch on in fiendish satisfaction as Jesus is brought close to the summit. There He is thrust down and positioned on the splintery wood. A large iron nail is placed on each of Jesus' wrists. The sickening sound of metal penetrating flesh causes many watching to flinch. The spire is driven mercilessly through the base of Jesus' palms and into the hard timber. Sweat mingles with blood as Jesus' feet are brutally fastened to the cross.

From His splayed position on the cruel cross, Jesus looks upon on the men who wound Him and with slow, gentle tones says, "Father, forgive them; for they don't know what they are doing." Despite His unmeasurable pain, His face is full of love and unselfishness.

As all three crosses are raised quickly and violently to standing, with Jesus centrally positioned between them showing that He is considered the worst of the criminals, a vivid image is burned into the minds of all watching. Even the Pharisees are humbled for a moment before returning to their contempt. Every eye notices the extraordinary agony of the ones crucified.

A sign is seen hanging above Jesus' head proclaiming the reason for His crucifixion.

"This is Jesus, the King of the Jews."

Below the shadow of the cross the soldiers who led Him to His death gamble for Jesus' clothing. Casting lots, they squabble among themselves for Jesus' vesture. The men who watch the scene shake their heads mockingly at Jesus.

"You who say You will destroy the temple and in three days raise it up, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross!"

Likewise, the chief priests insult Him saying, "He saved others, Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel let Him come down from the cross and we will believe Him!"

The elders and the scribes join them in derision.

"He trusted in God," they scoff, "let God deliver Him now if He will have Him, for Jesus said 'I am the Son of God.'"

One of the thieves, who is suffering the same crucifixion as Jesus, joins the taunts. From his position to the left of Jesus he hisses, "If you are the Messiah, then save Yourself and us."

To the surprise of the first thief and the onlookers, the other criminal rebukes the words of the first.

"Don't you fear God since you are in the same condemnation?" The second thief admonishes, "We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."

He turns his attention from his fellow malefactor to Jesus, and with an honest, humble voice says, "Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom."

With compassion and warmth, Jesus responds. Love, forgiveness and care are clear as day in His voice as He says, "Truly I tell you today, you will be with Me in paradise." A look of quiet peace, despite his immense pain, floats across the face of the penitent thief.

When the clock strikes noon a strange darkness settles on the land. The people murmur as the dark seems to sink down like a weighted blanket. A strange sense of foreboding fills the hearts of all the multitude, for the sun simply ceases to shine. The chief priests, scribes and elders freeze in panic, believing that surely Jesus would now come down from the cross and take revenge on them.

And yet, there is no movement from the cross. Brilliant streaks of lightning occasionally stretch across the sky, making the people jump in fear and surprise.

For three hours the persistent gloom yields no light. All this time Jesus is silent. Suspense fills the air as the people wait for something to happen. The priests and leaders watch on with narrowed eyes, refusing to believe that the peculiar darkness is related to the dying man hanging on the cross.

Jesus' friends behold with wonder, heartbreak and despair as their dear Teacher appears to carry the very weight of the world on His torn-up shoulders. Little do they see that every hateful act, every atrocity and hidden sin is hanging as surely upon Jesus as He was suspended upon the cross.

In Jesus' mind's eye flickers images of human suffering and wickedness. He sees the knife slide between the ribs of an innocent young man. He feels the terror of the little girl as a strange man steals her from her family. He experiences the complete panic of the men, women and children crowded into gas chambers like animals and slaughtered. He carries the torment of every rape, every lie, every spiteful word, every murder, every beating hand that had ever existed or would exist.

He looks with perfect sorrow to you, and in love, bears your sins for you. The hidden addictions, the regretful word of gossip, the habitual abuse of God's gifts and talents. He looks and beholds the result of selfishness. Destruction and misery and deception are the fruit that the tree of sin bears. Alone in His unimaginable burden and separated for the first time from His Father, Jesus experiences true spiritual brokenness and isolation.

But looking beyond, He sees the triumph of those who love and will love Him. He witnesses the peace of the mothers reunited with the children taken from them. He perceives the poor becoming rich with love and joy. He regards with gladness the lonely surrounded by loved ones and filled with blissful satisfaction. He sees the persecuted rewarded and the broken restored. Jesus sees you, carefree and filled with happiness, eternally prospering in light and love, if only you accept Him.

He knows that this shameful death, this unbearable weight is worth it. It is worth it to offer redemption to humanity and you. To give men and women the chance to throw off the shackles of death and shrug off the bindings of this vile, selfish world. God Himself takes on your imperfections because He loves you. By His suffering and sacrifice, He offers you a way out and invites you to turn to Him as did the thief on the cross. No sin is too big for Jesus to wash away or heart too unclean for Him to transform.

The bystanders peer in wonder to this scene, where Jesus is just visible above the deep darkness that covers the land. Now when three hours have passed from noon, Jesus cries with a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" Which is to say, My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?

The awful gloom is lifted and the face of Jesus is clearly visible again. All are focused on the man before them. Several of the religious leaders misinterpret His words and say among themselves that Jesus is calling for the dead prophet Elias. Strangers, disciples and Pharisees alike wait with bated breath for His next words.

With a hoarse voice, He whispers simply, "I thirst."

A Roman soldier's heart is moved with pity and he dips a sponge into sour vinegar, offering it to Jesus on the end of a stick of hyssop. The priests have no such empathy and begin to mock Jesus afresh. His pain matters little to them, in fact, they relish it.

With bitter reproach, they speak among themselves saying, "He calls for Elias, let us see if he will come and save Him."

Suddenly in clear and distinct tones, Jesus cries out, "It is finished! Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit."

And then weighed down by the terrible woes and weight of sin, the Saviour bows His head as His heart breaks. A final gasp of air is heard before all goes deathly quiet. Jesus is dead.

Immediately the earth begins to shake and the thick, heavy veil in the temple is torn from top to bottom by invisible hands. So mighty an earthquake shudders through the land that the people shout for fear of their lives. A Roman centurion exclaims as he witnesses the great scene before him, "Truly this was the Son of God!"

Likewise, many of the people watching have a strong sense of the claims of Jesus being true. The religious leaders and elders observe with glee and victory the dead man motionless on the cross. Their sense of satisfaction is dampened for a moment by doubt and dread as the land quakes under their feet.

In moments, all is still and a strange feeling of emptiness fills the air. Souls touched by the last words of Jesus look in despondency at the blank expression of the Messiah. Eyes once filled with affectionate love and compassion are now closed in death. Arms that once embraced lepers and lifted up the afflicted now carry the awful burden of Jesus' limp body. The heart that beat for the lost and the weary now beats no more. The head that with such dignity bore the title 'Son of God' now rests against His silent chest. The feet that entered sinners' homes and left them blessed, now walk no further. Many begin to feel a keen loss of more than simply a good man.

At that time, some of the religious leaders seek out Pilate to ask that the bodies of the three men should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath, because it is a holy day. Knowing this, the Pharisees ask the governor that the legs of the men be broken to speed up the death of the victims. Their request is granted and soldiers move to Calvary to carry out their orders.

Breaking the legs of the first thief and then the second, the Roman men find that Jesus is already dead. Seeing this, they do not break His legs. One solider feels doubtful that Jesus is truly and completely dead and drives a spear into Jesus' side.

From the wound flows blood and water. Observing this, they are persuaded that Jesus is indeed dead. They stare up at the man they had earlier so severely mocked and injured. Some feel the magnitude of their actions, but their feelings are quickly repressed.

Joseph, a wealthy follower of Jesus, makes haste to appeal to Pilate for the body of Jesus. He wants to esteem his Teacher with an honourable burial. He receives permission and gently and carefully takes the body of Jesus down from the cross.

Together with Nicodemus the believing religious leader, the men give Jesus a respectful burial. They wrap Him in fine linen and embalm Him tenderly with spices and perfumes before laying Him in Joseph's own unused tomb. The men roll a large stone in front of the sepulchre and depart in great sadness of heart.

The next morning there are sounds of men speaking again in front of Pilate. The chief priests stand before the governor who gazes wearily at the gathered throng of Jewish leaders.

They approach near to him and say, "Sir, we remember that when that deceiver Jesus was still alive, He said, 'After three days I will rise again.' Therefore, command that the tomb be guarded until the third day lest His disciples steal Him away and say to the people, 'He is risen from the dead.'"

Pilate grants them their request and sends with them a large number of soldiers, bidding them make as sure as possible that the body cannot be stolen. The leaders are pleased with this response and they set off with the soldiers to the place where Jesus was laid. They set a watch and seal the stone so that they can see if it was rolled aside or tampered with.

Satisfied, the scribes and elders leave the Romans to guard the tomb. While it is yet dark on Sunday morning, long before the sun rises, a violent earthquake causes the ground to tremble. A great blaze of light streaks like lightning down to the earth. The soldiers fall as if dead at the terrible presence. An angel, mighty in power and resplendent in countenance, rolls back the great stone. From the tomb emerges a dazzling figure. Light attends His every step as His eyes radiant with glory survey the surroundings. As the glory begins to fade to humanity, the soldiers recognise with unspeakable astonishment the familiar face. There are the scars of crucifixion, and the same tender expression.

The Romans flee from the scene, every man in abject terror to give the inconceivable news to their commander.

Hours later, Mary Magdalene and another Mary plan to come just before sunrise to properly embalm their dear friend. Mary Magdalene arrives alone to discover that the stone has been rolled away and there is no one in sight. An awful sense of heartbreak takes over her as she sees Jesus is not there, believing grave robbers to be the culprits. Another group of women has agreed to meet Mary Magdalene at the tomb, but she cannot wait for them in light of what is before her. In her urgency, she runs to find Jesus' disciples and tell them the dreadful news.

The company of women, including Mary the mother of James, Salome and Joanna arrive at the tomb and are greeted by the angel who sits upon the great stone. Their shock and fear are evident as they gape at the stranger.

"Don't be afraid," the young man dressed in white tells them earnestly, "for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you."

Heeding the words of the angel, the women enter into the tomb where they are greeted by another angel, who delivers the same joyous news.

"Why do you seek the living among the dead?" The angel asks them. "He is not here, He is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.'"

It was true, the women recall back with joy, Jesus had said that to them in Galilee! With unspeakable gladness, they depart with great haste to share the tidings with the disciples. The words repeat on their lips as they run, "He is risen, He is risen!"

Mary Magdalene, however, has not heard the happy news as she reaches the disciples and delivers her tragic message. In great urgency, the two men she has found hurry away to confirm her news. The disciple John outruns Peter who is also coming to investigate Mary's claim that the tomb is empty. Stooping down to peer into what had been the resting place of Jesus, John exhales in distress. Just as Mary said, Jesus is nowhere to be found. All that remains is a tidy pile of folded linen. Beside the linin is the napkin that had been so tenderly wrapped around Jesus' head.

At that moment, Peter arrives. He does not pause as John did on the outside of the tomb and swiftly ventures inside. To his horror, he also sees that Mary's report is true. His grief is palpable. Who could steal away their Lord in the dead of night and be so cruel as to strip Him naked first?

Both disciples, with heavy and broken hearts, depart for their homes.

Mary returns sorrowfully to the place of her profound anguish. Tears stream down her cheeks and she does not try to hide her weeping. She feels as if her very spirit has been torn in two. Her most cherished friend, her Deliver and Saviour has been rent from her arms, shamefully killed and seemingly stolen away. No one is more precious to Mary than Jesus, and His death and empty grave cause her deep distress.

Half blinded by her tears; she looks again into the tomb. She notices with alarm two angels in white sitting within the confines of the burial place. As she gazes in wonder at the angels, one speaks with clear and compassionate tones.

"Woman, why are you weeping?"

Mary, with honesty and great sadness, replies, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him."

Having said those words, she turns to leave. A man stands before her and distracted by her deep woe and grief, does not look at the new figure.

His pleasant, soft voice reaches her ears. "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?"

Supposing the man to be the gardener she responds, "Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away."

But with a smile breaking forth across His face, the man exclaims in a familiar voice, "Mary!"

She freezes at the sound of the voice she knows so well. Mary faces the stranger fully and recognition floods through her. It is Jesus, alive and standing before her!

"Teacher!" She cries aloud, a sob breaking her voice. Mary moves to grasp onto her Saviour with no intention to let go but Jesus gently pulls away from her. An affectionate, knowing smile is on His lips.

He says tenderly, "Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.'"

Understanding perfectly this message and with unexplainable joy, Mary departs with the merry tidings of the risen Redeemer.

It seems then that many days pass too quickly. The disciples, doubting and grieving at first, are soon graced with the presence of their loved companion and Master. He shows them the scars on His wrists and feet, and they at last believe.

Going into Galilee forty days after the resurrection, Jesus leads His eleven disciples onto a mountain top. The mood is serious and sober. A momentous event is now taking place.

The men watch rapturously as the Lamb of God, who was slain from the foundation of the world for the sins of many, ascends into the heavens to His Father with great triumph and glory. Angels accompany Him in a cloud of light and splendour. No fear is in the disciple's hearts, for they know that they are not alone. The promised Spirit of Truth, a Comforter and Helper, will descend and guide them.

A great work is now ahead of the chosen men. An important commission and task rest on their shoulders. But with vigour and confidence, they would gladly spread the message of the risen Son of God. Gladly would they lay down their lives for the Gospel and fearlessly would they proclaim the message of hope and comfort for all who believe. For us, Jesus ascended, and for us, He died. But surely, He rose again for us, that we may know Him and be with Him where He is.

And as the Saviour vanishes out of sight, His words for the disciples and every soul echo and re-echo through their minds.

"I am with you always," Jesus promises, "even unto the end of the world."