Bible Comes Alive

<p>The story of Jesus’ crucifixion.</p> <p>AudioVerse is grateful to Your Story Hour for allowing our users to stream these stories completely for free. To purchase a copy that you can download or to get the entire set, please visit the <a href="http://www.yourstoryhour.org/store/product/bible-comes-alive-album-4-copy/" target="_blank">Your Story Hour</a> website for more information.</p>

Your Story Hour

Aunt Sue Your Story Hour

Uncle Dan Your Story Hour

Bible Comes Alive Album 5

The Road to Skull Hill

A Promise to Keep

King of the Jews. We don't have all day. Look down the street. Your noble subjects wait for you. They're king. Don't keep them waiting. Here comes the great deliverer. See how he drives The Romans out of Israel. Received us from the last Stand back on, join us. Keep the crowd back. Use your sword if you have to. Don't come any closer. Stand back, Ben. Jesus can't carry the cross anymore. He's fallen. Get up. King of the Jews. Get up. I'll give you a life or two. No wait and won't help. I'm afraid someone must carry the cross for him. I wish I could carry Boom over there. That man, he's strong. You come over here. Oh, who me? Yes, you come here, carry this man's cross. But you took pity on him, didn't you? Now do something about it. Hello everyone. We're happy you joined us for another story, Uncle Dan. By the sound of that preview, I think I can guess what your story is about. Yes, and Sue and so can many of our listeners, many Sad things happen to Jesus in this story. Yes, but the world's happiest news comes out of that sadness. Good. I know we're all anxiously waiting to hear about it. What's the title of the story, uncle Dan? I call it The Road to Skull Hill. For several hours on that Friday morning, the frenzi mob had shouted for the death of Jesus. They had stood before the governor's palace and chosen to have Pilate released from death. A murderer named Baras Pilate had tried to save Jesus, but he saw he could not do this and keep his position and honor then at last to satisfy the people he handed Jesus over to be crucified. Jesse, the son of a priest and Ben, the son of a sheep merchant in the temple are in the crowd. Ben, I don't think I can look at Jesus again the way they beat Him. That's all right Jesse. We must stick with our friend. So many of these people have turned against him. Look, they're releasing Boras to the crowd Is the The Romans couldn't hold. Can't this crowd See, he's a murderer. How hard he looks just like they look. Here come the other two prisoners, two robbers. Alright, pick up those crosses. Get your shoulders under them. Come on. You can do better than that. Oh. Oh, that's better. Start moving. Come on. We don't have all day Tradition tells us that the names of the two robbers were dismissed and justice slowly, painfully, they began dragging their crosses from the court and into the street. Four soldiers went with each prisoner, one carrying a sign, telling the bystanders what the crime of the condemned man was. Stand back, keep away from the prisoner. They're bringing Jesus down. He's so Weak. They've whipped him so much and beat him, but, But There's peace in his eyes. He's not angry like the other two were. Yes, I see that He's the lamb being led to the Altar. That's it. I've seen it many times. Alright, get under that cross. Lift it up. Lift it up. Mighty deliverer. Where's all your string king lift? Show us you a string. Can't someone help him? Please do it. Barely Move along. King of the Jews we don't have all day. Look down the street. Your noble subjects wait for you. They're king. Don't keep them waiting. King, your kingdom waits for you on gold. Stand back on Chinas, keep the crowd back. Use your sword if you have to back. Don't come any closer. Stand back, Ben. Jesus can't carry the cross anymore. He's fallen. Get up. King of the Jews. Get up. I'll give you a life or two. No wait. That won't help. I'm afraid someone must carry the cross for him. I wish I could carry it for him. I'm if no Jewish man would touch his cross on this day Over there. That man, he's strong. Hey, you come over here. Oh me? Yes you come here. I want you to carry this man's cross. Fuck. You took pity on him. Didn't you do something about it? Yes, ill carry his cross. Jesus had had no food or water since eating the Passover supper with his disciples the day before. He had agonized in the garden of Gethsemane and endured the anguish of betrayal. He had twice been tortured by the scourge. When Jesus could bear no more. Simon of Sereni from northern Africa took the cross upon his shoulders, lifted it up and carried it for Jesus. Later when he had learned more about Jesus, he was happy for the chance to help him in this way. Following Jesus and Simon of Sereni were many grief-stricken women and children. They started crying and wailing outta print. Daughters of Jerusalem, don't weep for me, but for yourselves and for your children. For the days are coming when the women who have no children will be counted. Fortunate indeed, mankind will beg the mountains to fall and then man crush them in the hills to bury them for if such things as this are done to me, the living tree, what will they do to you? The three condemned men reached the hill of Cal, also called Gha. The name meant the place of a skull. There Simon of Sereni laid down the cross that he had been commanded to carry close behind was Mary, the mother of Jesus and the disciple. John other disciples stayed further back. Jesse and Ben watched from a short distance away. Alright, men get the crosses in place. The two robbers. Dismiss and justice were forced upon crosses which lay flat on the ground. They struggled desperately. Get away from me. No, no. God, strike them. Dead crosses. Adam, get away From us on the Roman dogs. Dogs. Get the nails in the hammer. I've got them here. Make it quick. Don't torture the poor devils anymore than you have to. Alright, Get the ropes around the stake quick. Hold them up. Race that stake. It's loose. Pull. The soldiers pulled the crosses where the robbers nailed to them into place. The weight on the prisoner's hands pulled apart, flesh and muscle. Now the robbers screamed without stopping. Then when the prisoners were on the cross, the soldier hammered long iron spikes through their feet and into the wood of the cross. Some of the people who had come turned away at the horrible sight. I can't look Ben, I can't. I can't stop screaming. They're putting Jesus on the cross now. He's not fighting. They're driving the nails through his hands. He's not screaming. I can't believe his courage. He's trying to speak. Maybe he'll call down the hosts of heaven now and free himself. I hope so. Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. Then the soldiers lifted up the cross with Jesus on it still. Jesus did not cry out even though the pain was beyond human endurance and the sweat poured from his brow. Then a soldier took the hammer and spike and started to dry the spike through Jesus' feet. They've driven the spike through his feet and into the cross. Still, Jesus doesn't scream like the others. He can only die now. So is putting a sign above Jesus. It's written in three languages. I can only read ours. Jesus of Nazareth, the king of the Jews, The king of the Jews. It's also horrible man. Why is God letting this happen? Look, that woman by the cross fainted that man. I think it's one of Jesus' disciples is taking her away. I think that's Jesus' mother, poor woman. How can she stand it? Caesar? Haha. Look at him in between the tooth. These right where he belongs. We're all Messiahs belong. Maybe he'll perform a miracle up there. Come down from the Front. The high priest rushed to pilot's palace to complain to him about the sign they were furious. Pilot was unmoved. Well, how soon new priests return? What would you like now? Perhaps a gold crown for your king. Your Honor. Perhaps you misunderstood who this Jesus was An I impostor, your honor. It isn't right to call him the king of the Jews. He said he was king of the Jews. That doesn't make him king. So You see, your Honor, I know exactly what I have written on the sign. Perhaps it would be more appropriate, your Honor to write. He said, I am king of the Jews. You'd like that, wouldn't You? Well, many people who, who don't know as much about this imposter as we do are are getting the wrong idea. What I have written, I have written, Your Honor, it stays exactly as it is, but you're on her gods. Take them away At the cross. The Roman soldiers had divided Jesus clothes into four piles. One for each of them. I'll take the head gear. I allow the clo. I could use the sandals and I, I just, the belt is left. Well, who gets the robe? Let's tear it up in four pieces. No, it's a good piece. Woven without seams. Let's not tear it up. Hey, here's the dice. The one with the highest number win. That's a good idea right with me, huh? A two for me. I can't win. Three rotten five here and here's a four. I got it. Unknowingly. The soldiers fulfilled a prediction made. More than a thousand years earlier, David Thesist had written, they divided my clothes among them and cast lots from my robe. The priests came back determined to take away the people's attention from the sign that read Jesus of Nazareth, the king of the Jews. Oh, And you can destroy the pit and build it again in three days. Ah, well then come on down from the cross. If you are the son of God, Come show us upon your Father. Come upon the devil, your father, you free. Come down for the cross. Why should God's son be up there? He saved others, but he can't say it Himself. Sal, you are the king of Israel. Are you? Come down from the cross and will believe you. He He trusted God. Let God show his approval by delivery. Who Didn't He say? I am the son of God. Well, people look at God himself on the cross. Come down King. That's no place for God's son. Come down. The two robbers crucified with Jesus heard the words of the priests and people. He also heard some defending Jesus for the good He had done one of the robbers, joined in the mocking The Son of God hanging like I sang a cross. Well, Jesus, if you are the Messiah proven by saving yourself and then save us while you're at it an excellent idea. Don't you think King Messiah, The other robber, spoke to Jesus also, but his heart was different. First he reprimanded the other robber. God Christ. Don't you even fear God when you're dying? I fear these nails and this pain. Why should I die? We deserve to die for our evil to eat. But this man has done one thing Wrong. Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom, friend, I tell you today you will be with me in paradise. This is a solemn prize. Thank you Lord. Thank you. The women who were close friends to Jesus stood near the cross. His aunt, the wife of Cleopas and Mary Magdalene. Now also Mary, his mother had come in spite of his agony. Jesus first concern at the moment was his mother standing beside the disciple. John Jesus wanted to make sure his mother would be cared for. Mother. Here is your son, John. Here is your mother. The sun had reached mid sky. It was about noon. Ben, what's happening? It's getting so dark. I can hardly see. Am I going blind? Ooh, it's dark for me too. Look, lightning. The clouds are closed in. Ben. I'm going home. Me too. If I can find my way down this hill. Frightened people ran away from the cross and the darkness. The priest and soldiers shook with fear. The darkness lasted for three hours. Then it lifted. Jesus was still on the cross as were the other two. But a darkness seemed to hang over Jesus. The priests had already explanation for what happened It. It is the work of Satan. He is the God of darkness. That's right. Hannahs see, the darkness hangs around the imposter. Jesus lifted his head toward the sky and shouted, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Some of the mob thought that he was calling for the prophet Elijah. He's calling for Elijah. Quick, get a sponge with some wine to ease his pain. No, Leave him alone. Let's see whether Elijah will come and save Him. Arthur thirst. Oh, he's thirsty. He can hardly speak anymore. Here. Dip a sponge into this wine. Jesus took a taste of the wine enough to wet his mouth. Then summoning all his strength. Jesus looked to the heavens and shouted, It is finished. Father, into your hands. I commit my spirit. Jesus bowed his head and died a strange hush fell on the crowd. The one who had called himself the Messiah, the son of God. The Savior was dead. He had given his life up to death. Angina, the captain of the Roman soldiers had watched the whole crucifixion. He saw how Jesus had endured the cross, how he forgave his persecutors and how he had given up his spirit into God's hands. Angina was overpowered with a sense of God's presence. Surely this man was innocent. This was the son of God. Many of the people who had watched the crucifixion went home. Their hearts filled with sad. Those who had mocked found, they had no more words left and in shame walked away. The closest friends of Jesus, some of his disciples and his mother stood looking at the body of Jesus on the cross. At about this time, some soldiers came up the hill. Anginas, we've come to carry out the order of Pilate. An order from Pil. Yes. The Jewish leaders came to him again. They said, the bodies must not hang on the crosses through the Sabbath, which is tomorrow. So let's break the legs and they will die quickly. This Man Jesus of Nazareth is already dead. Impossible. Death by the cross takes much longer. Hey, gimme that hammer. I'll break this rubber's legs first and then get the other robber. The soldiers broke the legs of the two robbers. But when they came to Jesus, they found he was already dead. To make doubly sure, one soldier thrust a spear in the Jesus side piercing his lung and heart. Blood and water flowed out of Jesus' side. Again, the soldiers fulfilled a prediction written by two prophets many centuries earlier. The prediction said Not one of his bones shall be broken. They shall look on him. They pierced. Now the women and disciples at the cross faced a new sad problem. We We must give our master a decent burial. Yes, we must, But we need pilot's permission to take the body And where will we place him? They didn't know that about this time, Joseph of Aramathea was before a pilot. You Jews won't leave me alone, will you? What is it this time, sir? I am Joseph of Aramathea. Yes, I know one of the richest men in Jerusalem and a member of the Temple Council. But I wasn't there when they voted to put Jesus to death. What Is that to me? So what do you want the Body of Jesus, your Honor, the body of Jesus. Captain, is Jesus dead already? Yes, sir. We made sure a spear through his heart. Very well. Joseph take his body At about the same time another secret disciple of Jesus. Nicodemus went up to the crucifixion site caring about a hundred pounds of merr and aloes for the burial of Jesus. Together, they wrapped the body of Jesus in a long linen cloth, saturated with spices, as was the Jewish custom of burial. Near Calvary was a garden of trees, whereas some of the rich men of Jerusalem had their family tombs. I have a new tomb in the garden. Come, let's take Jesus there. It'll honor me. The Sabbath was only minutes away. The men had only enough time to place the body of Jesus on a Hugo rock in the tomb and close the entrance with a rock. Thank you, Nicodemus. John, that rock ought to keep out the strongest man. John, it's a sad day. Yes, the saddest I have ever known Joseph. But thank you for helping and you too. Nicodemus, you've Only, if only I had made it known I was his disciple when he first convinced me. But it's too late now. Perhaps too late. Come Mary Magdalene, come. Mary, let us go home. After the Sabbath is over, we can come back and anoint the body with spices. Anointment come. It indeed had been the saddest day in the history of the world. But with God, there is hope beyond such sadness with the one who raised the dead to life, remained dead himself. Would his words about himself come true? When he said The son of man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men, they will kill him and after three days he will rise Throughout Jerusalem. That Friday night, many people kept glancing toward Calvary and the garden tune where Jesus was buried. Some like Jesse and Ben were sad beyond words, but within their hearts there was a seed of hope. Jesus could conquer death. He had said, I will rise again.

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Bible Comes Alive Album 5

The Road to Skull Hill

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The Road to Skull Hill

A Promise to Keep

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