025. Crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ

Centurion

I’m the Roman centurion in charge of our unit in Jerusalem.
Accusers are saying absurd things about that man Jesus.
I’ve heard that he’s a good man.
Even Governor Pilate has found no reason to execute him.

Prompter & Echoes

He keeps silent!

Centurion

Strange!
Hey, you soldiers there, stop making fun of Jesus.

Soldier

Yes sir.
Look. Governor Pilate is begging the man to defend himself,
but he doesn’t; it is as though the Nazarene wants to die!

Scoffer

(Laugh fiendishly)
We have stirred up the people,
so Governor Pilate fears they will stage a violent riot,
if he doesn’t crucify that blaspheming rabbi.

Prompter & Echoes

Evil schemers!

Soldier

Oh! Pilate is washing his hands in front of the crowd!
He’s letting the hateful, crazed mob have its way!

Centurion

This means I will have to give the order to carry out the grisly task.
I find my soldiers lashing the Nazarene cruelly, and I stop them.

Soldier

We soldiers lead the man him out toward a hill called Calvary.
That band of scoffers follows us, jeering at him.
Women are weeping. No wonder! Look at him!

Prompter & Echoes

Beaten and bleeding!

Soldier

He’s stumbling as he lugs that cross up this skull-shaped hill.

Centurion

Especially after you soldiers lashed him so!
Look how his back bleeds!
I am not enjoying this. He’s lost so much blood!

Soldier

Hey you foreigner there. Carry the cross for the man.

Centurion

Well, here we are. Soldier, here are the spikes.
Nail him to the cross, and put up Pilate’s sign,
THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Soldier

We also crucify two other criminals;
 one of them keeps taunting Jesus.
I offer him wine mixed with bitter gall to deaden His pain,
but after tasting it, he refuses to drink it.
We soldiers sit and watch.

Centurion

Hours drag by.
Jesus is writhing in agony, and those insolent men mock him.
Listen to them!

Scoffer

You there, if you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.

Soldier

Oh, listen! He’s praying for us! Imagine that!
For us! After all the pain that we caused him!

Voice

Forgive them, Father. They do not know what they are doing!

Prompter & Echoes

Such loving forgiveness!

Centurion

That dying thief begged Jesus to remember him
when he enters his Kingdom.
Now he Jesus is answering him.

Voice

Today you will be with me in Paradise.

Centurion

Amazing! Who is he? What is he?

Scoffer

Ha! You said you’d destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days!
Well, save yourself! You trusted in God; let him rescue you!

Soldier

Look! I won His cloak! We soldiers gambled for it,
and I threw the winning lot!

Centurion

Listen, men. This is wrong! All wrong!

Prompter & Echoes

Angry lightning flashes!

Soldier

Sir, look! The rainwater is carrying away the blood.
So much blood! It seems as though it will cover the whole earth!

Scoffer

Look at him! He saved others; he cannot save himself.
(Laugh fiendishly)
He is King of Israel; let him come down from the cross.
Then we will believe him!

Voice

Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani!

Scoffer

He’s calling for Elijah. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save Him.

Centurion

I know what he said in Hebrew,
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Voice

It is finished!

Prompter & Echoes

Finished!

Centurion

This is no ordinary man!

Voice

Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.

Centurion

Amazing! He simply gave up His life!

Soldier

Oh, the earth is shaking violently!

Prompter & Echoes

Rumble! Rumble!

Centurion

Listen!
Even from here I heard the massive veil in the temple ripping
from top to bottom, opening the way into God’s presence.

Scoffer

What’s happening? Total darkness has come upon us!
The sun quit shining during the daytime!

Centurion

What have we done?
 Surely, this man is the Son of God!

Prompter & Echoes

He has died for us all!