The Judges Chronicles: The Farmer Upon the Hill by Terdell Lee Johnson - HTML preview

Chapter 23: Trial and the Tearing Post

Reiach lead the other judges inside the temple. Sahar, Ping, Naasoon, and Seth lead Kleos down into the keeper‘s fellowship hall where the younger students awaited. The trial was about to begin.

"You are condemned to death." said Naasson to Kleos, "What say you?"

Kleos remained silent. Naasson took this a arrogance and struck Kleos across the face.

"I said speak---we have the power!"

"You have no power over me, but what God has given you," said Kleos, "But this is done that all might be fulfilled."

The students in the temple were astonished by the answer. Reiach stepped forward to speak.

"Are you the Son of God, huh? Are you the Son of the Holy One?"

"If I tell you, you will not believe Me. You ancestors did the same when they turned their hearts from God to allow Jezerah and Iya to rule over them; they did it again when to followed the idols and burnt their children; and you still disbelieve Holy One."

"We believe!" said Seth angrily.

"If you did believe you would not have Me here, but you do this because you are sick and you are blind---your sins remain."

"Our sins are covered!" said Reiach clinching his fist, "Following the rules keep us clean."

"As a washed grave is clean on the outside, but inside sits the filth and wretchedness of the dead; so are the keepers." replied Kleos.

There was a deafening silence in the hall. Reiach walked over to one of his spies and pulled a small stack of papers from him. The otter fumbled through them reading as he did.

"I have reports," said Reiach looking at Kleos with an askance, "in which you claim that if the temple was destroyed that you would raise it up again in three days. What foolishness were you speaking of?"

But Kleos spoke not of the keeper‘s temple. He was speaking of his body---his resurrection. When Kleos gave no reply. Reiach pointed at him and demanded an answer.

"I demand, in the name if the living God, are you the son of the Holy One?"

"I am, and you shall see me ascend and be seated at His right hand."

"What further need do we have of this trial?" said Naasson, "He had confessed from his own mouth. He‘s broken the rule and has sealed his death."

A great cacophony arose throughout the hall. In unison the lower keepers came upon him, hitting, spitting, and speaking other blasphemies against him throughout the night. The following morning word was sent throughout the land of the farmer‘s execution, and with the deceitfulness of the fire, it was assured that a great multitude would come. The device for the execution was already in place: a wooden pillar planted firm in the soil outside the western gate of Shavron. A host of citizens awaited, angry; disdainful for the lost of homes, farmers–even family members.  Kleos, badly bruised from the beating he received. His face was bloody, in fact his whole body was, and he could barely walk as Sahar pulled him through the crowd. Some took the opportunity to strike him. One blow landed on his head and Kleos fell to the ground.

"Get up, wretch," said Sahar wrapping the chain around his forearm, "Won‘t move? Then you‘ll be dragged!"

The lion dragged Kleos to the wooden pillar, also known as the tearing post. Sahar picked him up and chained him to the post giving the chain enough slack so that Kleos was standing on his toes, bringing him to a near choke. As if this was not enough of degradation, Naasson tore away the farmer‘s cloak, leaving only his fur as a covering.

The cloak was tossed to Reaich placed it over his shoulder happily. A large clay jar for money was brought out; Reiach pointed out the plaque that was nailed to the post. This is what it said:

Clawing..........25 silver coins

Biting..............15 silver coins

Punching..........5 silver coins

Spitting.............free

Kicking.............20 silver coins

Use of an instrument.....................50 silver coins.

The Shavronites took out their money, each making sure they had enough. The keepers went around collecting the money. As they were preparing, Kleos said:

"Forgive them Father. They know not what they do."

The counting stopped. Every ear had caught the words; yet none understood the underlying love of God that saturated those words. Reiach, still lead on by pride, hatred, and malice turned to Kleos and simple said,

"Let us begin."

And so they did. Each taking his or her turn execution Kleos. The wrath of God was poured out on his only Son for all the sins of the world. Despite the brutality of every minute and after the final blow was given, Kleos was still alive. He could hardly be recognized and even Reiach could not stomach to look at all the blood, but Kleos looked up to heaven, knowing that all was accomplished looked up to heaven and said:

"It is finished. Father into your hands I commit my spirit." And then Kleos died at the tearing post.

Suddenly the sky darkened and the ground began to shake. An earthquake spread throughout the entire landing passing through the Cinnamount Wood up to Tribless Hill. The crack split the Tribless Stone in half. It was God‘s way of showing that a new covenant had emerge: not one of law but on of grace.