Ask Me ..... How i know there's a God up in the heavens!

Chapter 27 - A Monty Mocking

We escorted Jesus back down the steps, although this time we turned in the opposite direction toward the plaza on the other side of the Praetorium. Adjacent to this was a location of the Praetorium building Horatio referred to as the common hall. Several soldiers began to file out from beneath the shelter of its columns into the pavement where there sat perched near the middle, a wooden stump protruding from the cobblestone about 3 feet up. Attached to this stump was a pair of shackles. It suddenly dawned on me what this place was, as well as what would happen next.

I can't watch this. I slowed as a sudden wave of absolute panicked terror over took me. Bomani stopped just as I swung around and nearly vomited all over him. I coughed and sputtered as he grabbed me by the arm to steady me. Other solders walked around us, lending wary glares. I stood hunched over as waves of vertigo began to assail me and I started to pray that I wouldn't pass out.

[Bomani. Antonio]

I could hear a voice calling as Bomani and another soldier escorted me out of the plaza. I'd stopped and vomited two more times before they managed to rustle me into the common hall and drop me onto a bench. I sat with my head between my knees, trying to catch my breath. I really wanted to scream, but the last thing I wanted, was for them to see me cry.

The whip began to snap and I winced with every cry wrenched from Jesus. The present and past bled together as boisterous crowds, screams and machine gun fire from my memory congealed into one tangle of time warped history. Airplanes roared and missiles whistled while I deliberately stared intently at the stone patterns on the floor; as well as the feet of the other two soldiers.

Once Desert Storm subsided, all seemed eerily quiet. I took one last deep breath as I picked my head up and stared out between the columns at Jesus who lay lifeless with His head tucked between one arm and the stump He was fastened to. He huddled in nearly a fetal position as the soldier continued to count the lashes he was snapping. It was eerily quiet as a larger band slowly collected to witness the flogging of this naked form huddled against the wooden post.

The chastisement ended and they all stood and starred. The soldier who held the whip reached out and nudged Jesus with its stick end. When He began to twitch and finally picked His head up, they all started to whisper. The executioner and one other soldier grabbed Jesus by the arms and pulled Him to His feet. When He remained standing unassisted; they all began to hoot, laugh and cheer.

When other Jews, civilians and Pharisees began to filter over; the soldiers quickly wrapped this Herodian robe about Jesus, loosed Him and begun dragging Him in my direction.

They entered the far end of the hall as other soldiers began to filter over; just for curiosity sake, it seemed at first. Yet also apparently to discourage the participation of those whom they didn't want crashing their party.

Jesus stumbled as they dragged Him up the steps, but after they let go and He still managed to stand independently; they cheered again.

[Hail, king of the .... Joooooozzz!] One bellowed as the others laughed.

[Hey at least he aint laying... like dead on the floor.]

[Bleeding all over the damn place.]

[Not yet!]

[See how long that lasts?]

Another soldier slinked up and gave Jesus a teasing polk.

[Hey, where's that little twerpy Pharisee. Let's flog him next!]

[He'd probably cry like a baby.]

[That would be entertaining to watch.]

[Hey, their king needs a crown.] Someone yelled from the back.