i would say to close your eyes for this, but it would defeat the purpose then of reading, but open your minds eye, and let yourself be caught up in the wonder of it all.
~you are walking down the street, glancing at many of the stands set up along the markets. you are amazed at many of the newest items the vendors are trying to sell. but of course you'd expect that. you're in a major city of the roman empire, and their culture has been bringing major advances to this previously slower lifestyle.
you wanted to walk through and soak up some of the local life during the major festival of passover, but felt strangely out of place. it seemed to be a family thing and well, you have no family here. it turned into a rather boring evening and sleep was the only thing that brought joy at the time. but walking this morning has brought no more entertainment. the streets are oddly empty and the vendors seem annoyed and anxious at the same time.
a large pendant help up by a ringed gold necklace catches your eye and picking it up you feel the smoothness of it in your hand. the color is amazing and your mind wanders to thoughts of it as a gift for your mother. "how much?" you ask the vendor who wasn't paying attention and jumps at your question. "huh? oh, that? more than you can probably afford." it was then that you realize that you are standing at a booth of extremely expensive jewelry. most of the items here likely cost more than you made in a year, and somethings more than in a lifetime.
uncomfortably you ask where everyone is, that you would have expected to see more people around. "somebody was arrested late last night and he's standing trial now. just listen for the loud roar of people and you'll find it. i am not sure what the big fuss is about, really bad for business." he obviously didn't want to talk anymore so you begin to wander off, listening for some people. "maybe this won't be as boring as i thought," you think to yourself as you turn down another street.
a few blocks later you hear the roar of a crowd, but can't make out what they are shouting. turning another corner you see it all. an absolutely massive crowd of people as big as a field, fists in the air, chanting "crucify! crucify! CRUCIFY!" you look to the balcony and see a prestigious looking man washing his hands in a bowl and another man looking so dejected standing next to him being lead away.
the crowd began to move in unison, pushing a shoving to get somewhere, but the seemed to be going the same way. "where's everyone going?" you ask. "the praetorium," someone said. "the what?" you reply? "the place where they punish criminals," another man said. you follow the crowd for a few moments then freeze as it all clears in you mind. people behind you start pushing harder and you begin walking again, but you realize there will be blood, pain, and torture where they are going. but caught up in the crowd and in curiosity you move with the flow, wondering what this is all about, and why it has to be this way.
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