Ultimate Power

The Power Of Love

His master, the high priest himself, walked behind Judas as he led the crowd into the garden. The chilly night air magnified Malchus' growing unease.

Judas warned them of the rebel's supernatural power. Hence the band of armed men hired to take in just one teacher.

A man walked up to them, "Who do you seek?"

"Jesus of Nazareth," came the reply.

"I am he." Tremendous power flowed as he spoke, causing the men to fall backward to the ground.

Again he asked, "Who do you seek?"

"Jesus of Nazareth," they said again.

"I am he," the man said again and asked that they let his disciples go their way.

A blade flashed to Malchus' right.
He ducked, but the searing pain was unbearable. Instinctively, he held his hand against the wound trying to stop the flow of blood, horrified as he watched his ear fall to the ground.

Bending over, Jesus picked up the ear and gently placed it on Malchus head, healing him instantly. It was as if the sword had never touched him. He heard Jesus reprimand Peter, before allowing the band, the captain and the officers to bind him.

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Barabbas lay with the other prisoners,his fellow rebels, his wrists raw from the ropes binding him. His hands, stained with blood. During the insurrection, he killed a man and was waiting to be executed for murder.

A new guy who looked around thirty three years old, was led by the guards to face Pilate. Peace and confidence radiated from him.

The murmurs died down as the crowd looked expectantly at Pilate.

"Are you the King of the Jews?" Pilate asked.

"You say it," came the man's calm reply.

The chief priests who brought in the man ranted their accusations, contradicting one another as they went on.

The man stood quietly throughout.

Pilate addressed the man, urging him to speak to defend himself but the man stayed silent.

At the feast, Pilate released one prisoner, whichever the crowd should choose. He saw the man's innocence and was hoping to use this to free him.

He offered to release the innocent man, the King of the Jews.

Barabbas' heart leapt when the mob, egged on by the priests screamed that Pilate release Barabbas instead.
"What should I do with the one you call
the King of the Jews?" Pleaded Pilate.

"Crucify him," screamed the bloodthirsty mob.

Pilate's voice shook. His composure cracked as he tried to plead for Jesus. "What evil has he done?"

The mob roared drowning out all reason. "Crucify him!"

Relief washed over Barabbas as his bonds were cut away. In spite of the crimes he committed, he was free to go. He looked back and watched Jesus, the innocent man, whipped, then sent to die in his place.

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Excruciating pain pierced through him with every ragged breath. The nails driven through his wrists and ankles held up his entire body weight. Soaked in his own blood, left to bleed out, he could only wait for death to slowly claim him.