We have a new short story by Akanaegbu Ifeayinchukwu.... I enjoyed this... and so will you! Be blessed. Just Like That? Walking away fast on the quiet road, the young man looked over his shoulder to know if anyone was observing. His chances were slim; someone had blown a whistle when he ran out of the house. Each step he made added to his fears even though it appeared he would make an escape. Just when he would take the turning, a virgin appeared at the beginning of the street, pointing at him to a crowd that followed. Next, the mob hurried after him, stinging the air with their scream to announce an escaping thief. Seeing them coming after him, Dibzahab ran for his life, praying to arrive his hideout. Fixing his mind on the rope he had prepared to escape on, he broke through the wind, his spirit outsmarting his body. Death was trailing behind his shadow, he could perceive in his soul. What he thought would be his last game was soon going to land him into the underworld. The memory of the four outlaws that were crucified without the city four months ago still bruised his mind and what he feared most watching the soldiers broke their bones was looming round the gallery. He’s never been so unlucky before. Standing before the Sanhedrin is terrifying and although it remained the worse thing a man could wish his enemy, it is more appealing than falling into the hands of the angry mob that he could swear would lynch him. Fatigue began creeping in as strength deserted him, but he would not faint and just when he would climb the wall to where he had hidden the rope, he was hit with a piece of wood. Awakening from unconsciousness, he found himself a bound prisoner. Leaning on the prison wall, Dibzahab studied the other inmates; they have been chained to each other. Soldiers paraded the vicinity, holding in their hands whips they used to drag them. He’s not afraid of torture anymore for he’s been beaten several times for different crimes he had been charged with. He knew many by their names for he was a regularee. Many of them mocked him while he was being brought in. ‘You again?’ almost every one of them had said, even introducing him to their colleagues who did not know him as a result of new postings to the region. Four-year jail term was the longest he had served and although he feared this might cost more, he was confident he would overcome seeing he was a veteran. At even, another man whose clothing was stained with blood was brought into his cubicle and added to his chain. None of the inmates wanted him next to them for fear that he was barbaric. “Leave me alone,” he yelled at the soldier that chained him. “This is not the first time, neither is it going to be the last,” he threatened. “Shut up,” replied the armed guard, smiting him on the mouth, “common thief.” Irritated by the statements the young man was making, Dibzahab watched with vex-veins in his eyes. He would have strangled him to death were it not for his cuff. If he took every other inmate for a neophyte, the guards had better informed him there were calmed devils within the walls; one of which he was. About thirty minutes later, the man’s mood changed. He became sober and not long after, broke down in tears. No one seemed to care, probably because of fear. Looking his direction, “hold your heart oh man for crying is but for a child,” Dibzahab said, putting up a bold front. “I shall be crucified tomorrow?” The man said. “How do you know that?” Dibzahab asked. Taking his gaze away, the man looked down, struggling not to say a thing. “I murdered someone yesterday,” he said, returning his gaze. “You may not?” Dibzahab added to console him. “Even when the dead is related to a member of the Sanhedrin?” He asked mockingly. On hearing that, Dibzahab gathered his thoughts; he could feel his pain. His death was inevitable. “I shall stand before the high priest tomorrow and executed the same day if found guilty. The next day, Dibzahab and six other inmates were dragged to the Jewish council. Standing before the panel, he was shocked to know the number of charges levied against him. “You raided a home two days ago and killed two persons.” “Nay my lord, I remember stabbing a lass only.” Putting down the thick bottles from his eyes, “she was with child. Your hands are guilty of its blood and you shall be judged by the law.” On hearing that, his fear deepened. There was more against him than he had thought. As if that was not enough, another woman testified against him and while he denied it, the six virgins whom he had defiled came forth as witnesses. Just when he was finishing from one case, another was filed in succession that it soon dawned on him that he would be hung on his own cross. There was an uproar in the city that evening, the Jews were demanding the crucifixion of a Man that had long paraded himself as the Son of God. The list of witnesses to testify against Him was endless and Caiaphas, the high priest was particularly interested because He had claimed He could destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days; an abominable thing to say. Dibzahab and Uphaz were dragged from the judgment ground by soldiers into the torture chamber where their backs were tattooed with horse whips. After beating them, the soldiers seized their hands, loosening the ropes they were tied with. Dibzahab knew they were preparing them for the Golgotha journey. The log was heavy and they could not carry it over a few meters without falling. Added to their frustrations were the insults they received from the crowd as they passed by. “When you get to heaven, rob the angels,” a member of the crowd yelled with everyone bursting to laughter. “Oh yes, that’s true. There is manna up there you know,” another added. Struggling to hide his face, Dibzahab experienced the humiliation that the cross brought to those that bore it. Amidst the crowd were members of his own family, his neighbors and woman friends, all staring at him. Ashamed of his state, he hid his gaze on the earth and threw his thoughts on the load on his back. Walking few meters away was Uphaz who went through the same ordeal. A loud noise caught his attention but he did not raise his head until he realized that the insults were not cast on him. Staggering between him and Uphaz was a Man who could barely carry his Cross. Terrified by his appearance, Dibzahab took his gaze away for he was an eyesore. He’s been beaten mercilessly; his back and face so disfigured that one could rarely find a piece of intact skin from his sores. On his head was a crown made of thorn that pierced his brow. The sight of him lessened Dibzahab’s frustrations, for it dawned on him that what he was experiencing was just teething troubles. “Beelzebub,” the crowd ranted as he walked passed, more soldiers assigned to him, who tortured his flesh with flagrum on each fall. As the Man staggered towards him, Dibzahab distanced himself to allow him fall but Simon of Cyrene came to his rescue. He tried hard not to pity him since they all had crosses to carry and every man for his own. Arriving Golgotha, the soldiers pinned all three on their crosses and hung them. The state in which he had seen the four outlaws crucified four month ago, he was finding himself in; excruciating pains beyond description. Some minutes after they were hung, Dibzahab looked down on his accusers, cursing them in his heart. He was unrepentant and would do worse things if he were to live again. Still boiling in his wrath, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do,” he heard the dying Rabbi say. Shocked by those words, he wondered why a prey should pray for its predator. For the first time in his whole life, he considered the things his mother had often told him about Yeshua, a great Man he suspects the Rabbi was. After a great while, Uphaz began uttering statements as his pains became unbearable. Looking at the Rabbi, “if You are what You say You are; if You are the Messiah, why don’t You save Yourself and us?” Listening to all that he said, Yeshua said not a word but kept his peace. “Leave him alone,” Dibzahab replied Uphaz, defending Yeshua on whose face innocence glowed. “Don’t you fear God even when you are dying? We deserve to die for we are receiving the just punishment for our crimes. We both are thieves and have blood on our hands but this Man has done nothing wrong. What is wrong in healing the sick on the Sabbath day? What is wrong in teaching the kingdom of heaven? Haven’t you seen the effects of His teachings on His followers? Zacchaeus, the tax collector once met this Man and afterwards became the most righteous man in all Jericho,” he said tears streaming down his cheeks. “Yeshua,” he called reverently, “please remember me when you come into you kingdom.” Moved with pity, Yeshua fixed his gaze on him. “Today you will be with me in paradise,” He said, his mouth curved. Some moment after Yeshua gave up the ghost; soldiers checked up on him and then proceeded to the criminals with axes in their hands. Watching them broke Uphaz’s legs, Dibzahab’s heart died. They must die that day so that their bodies can be brought down for the next day was the Sabbath and it was unlawful to leave bodies on the tree on that day. Watching the soldiers proceed to him, he bit his tongue hard, his mind calm despite the fear lingering in his soul. Walking on a beautifully trimmed grass field, Dibzahab held his breath, feeding his eyes on things beyond the scope of human understanding. The day was unusually bright even though there was no sun in the sky. He observed the glittering streets, wondering if they were constructed to be walked upon. They were gemstone coated; brightness from on high reflecting on it in splendour. Not sure he was awake, he pinched his flesh hard to confirm so but felt no pains. Yearning to understand the mystery, he stared agape until a man approached him. “Hello brother Dibzahab, how are you?” Shocked on hearing that, “how did you know my name?” He asked. “I am Gabriel,” the man said, smiling. “Please where am I, Elysium or something?” Shaking his head, “Heaven,” Gabriel replied. “What? Did you say heaven?” He asked again. “You heard me,” he relied. Confused even the more, “heaven? I don’t understand. Is that not supposed to be the home for the righteous?” “That’s correct, it is.” “Em… em..,” he let out a short breath, not sure how to say what was on his mind. “So how come I am here?” Shocked by the question, “I don’t understand,” Gabriel asked. “Do the ungodly also come here?” He added. “No,” Gabriel said, shaking his head. “Do you know me?” He asked. “Yes, you are Dibzahab, the son of Jerahmeel; the son of Leshem, the winebipper; the son of Yehezkel, the son of shiggaion…..” “Wait, what else do you know about me?” “Nothing?” “I don’t understand how come you know my genealogy yet you know nothing about my life?” He asked. Taking his gaze away, “I was a thief,” he said. “Really? Are you sure?” “Yes I was, that is why I am surprised to find myself here.” “I can’t remember seeing anything like that written against your name.” “If heaven claims to know everything about me, how come it doesn’t have the record of my past?” Trying to reconcile his statement, “did you ever accept the gospel?” “Which gospel? I don’t understand.” “Did you ever open your heart to Yeshua?” “I never listened to His teachings but I remember I was crucified next to him, that all.” “Did you speak with him while on the tree?” Searching his memory, “we just talked for less than four minutes, I just asked him to remember me when he gets into his kingdom.” “That’s why you are here,” Gabriel replied. “Just like that?” Dibzahab asked shocked. “Just like that, Dibzahab. It’s that simple. Now I can see why you don’t have a past. We don’t know about your criminal history because he erased your records the moment he spoke with you.” On hearing that, Dibzahab broke down in tears, “God!!! If I knew it was that easy, I wouldn’t have wasted my life pursuing vain things. I would have invested my entire life in the course of the gospel.” Just before Gabriel could take his leave, “excuse me Gab. Please could you help me find Uphaz; he was crucified with me on that same day.” Looking away, “he didn’t make it in here,” Gabriel said. On hearing that, sadness enveloped Dibzahab’s heart. “Could you send someone from here to the earth to tell them how beautiful heaven is so that they don’t spend their years in vanity?” Smiling as he looked at him, “they won’t believe him. If they don’t believe the apostles and other prophets, they will not believe even if God sent you back from here. A rich man had once asked Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his family in the world but received the same answer.” A Minute With Him Can Change The Course Of Eternity Christ Jesus Hath the Power
Posted on: Sun, 16 Mar 2014 10:00:30 +0000
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