Chapter 7: Trial and Denial

The morning sun rose blood red behind the city walls, lighting the first flames of judgment. Within the courtyard, anger mounted as accusations crackled between the priest and the accused, but Jesus stood silent before the raging storm.

At last, Caiaphas demanded through gritted teeth, Answer me, are you the Christ? And Jesus replied simply, I am. You will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of power and coming with the clouds of heaven.

A gasp rose from the mob. Blasphemy! They cried as one, and Caiaphas rent his robes in feigned anguish. What more evidence do we require? He has spoken blasphemy!

The verdict was sealed, as Jesus was spat upon and bound. Michael felt himself being dragged along in the mob's swell as their victim was dragged away for the sham of a trial before Pilate. There are cries: Only Caesar is king! only swelled the prefect's fear, as he knew too well the empire's wrath. And so the guiltless lamb was handed over, though it was customary to be crucified, for every end was nearing as the great plan unfolded.

In anguished fury, Michael pushed through the swarm toward the courtyard, where Peter lingered by a brazier and witnessed the final denial as a young girl accused him. He cursed and disowned his master three times before the cock crowed its lament. And Peter went out and wept bitterly, as Jesus had foretold in the olive grove only hours before.

All seemed lost as Michael watched hopelessly. Yet in that blackest moment, Jesus' eyes found Peter's through the crowd. And what passed between them was forgiveness so profound that the fisherman was restored, humbled for life in Christ's service. Even now, in extremity, the Savior redeemed souls, though his own lifeblood was drained in his offering. Behold the love that would give all for its friends, to the uttermost end.

Now only one final scene remained, as foreshadowed throughout the ages. Gethsemane had witnessed the purest sacrifice; now Golgotha would behold the full outpouring and destiny's completion. Led like a lamb, Jesus embraced the cup prepared for him by the world's foundations. Michael followed, dread and wonder mingling within as the road reached its grim summation at last. ...

The procession wound through jeering streets as Michael clung to the peripheries. At last, outside the city walls, the assembled mob came to a ridge overlooking a small valley of bone-dry earth. There were three naked posts standing against the sky like the masts of ghostly ships, foretelling the crimson horizons soon to come. Golgotha awaited...