Kaleidoscope: the Crucifixion as viewed by The Soldier
We asked a myriad of voices to engage the crucifixion as if they were one of the characters present and write from that perspective. We gathered last week for an amazing collective of perspectives that ranged from a diverse, colorful eclectic group of people gazing at the cross. We will post each character and their angle as we approach Easter. Enjoy!
HAIL KING OF THE JEWS!
O MAKE WAY FOR HIS MAJESTY!
See him in his crimson robe
Stained deeper by his own blood
Regal in his thorn crown and reed scepter
Behold him, Crowned with the futility of twisted humanity, holding the scepter of hollowed out, worthless authority
He’s standing there silent! COWER, you Fool!
Under the weight of this, of this betrayal
Your own people leading you to slaughter
Son of a god, they say, god in skin they say
Well, we’ve rid you of your skin
You can come out now “god”!
Hercules would have fought his way out of this
What kind of son of a god are you? Just standing there
Meek like a sheep, brought to be sheared, brought to be slaughtered.
We BOW to you O King of restraint and weakness!
I saw how they worshipped you, lauded you with fronds of palm just days ago.
I saw the way crowds swarmed you, children running ahead, women singing.
Hail! King of Peace, riding on a donkey.
Fawning over you all frothy with rejoicing,
Now look at them, rabid for your blood!
Fickle fools fit for the fettered king.
And these are the “Chosen People”?
Why come to this dusty side road circus Why here? Why now?
Who would want to be King of a place like this?
Of a people like this?
I heard what you did to the Centurion’s servant from miles away, I heard whispers of the words you said. Are you inheriting a kingdom now demigod? Where is your god-father now? Let him deliver you! Let him rend the heavens and come for you.
And yet, here you are ragged and bloody, not fit to be a King of anyone, except maybe the dead.
Who would follow a powerless god who allows himself to be killed
Power is given to the strong, Kingdoms to conquerors
You are a worm and not a man, the shame of a sheep-herding tribe of slaves.
