Mysterious Ways: The Death That He Died

By John Lindeck

The crucifixion of Jesus was not the simple event we imagine. All sorts of factors played a part including politics, religious rivalry and the need to destroy what we cannot understand. There are seeming inconsistencies in the Bible story such as what happened in the long period between when Judas left the Last Supper and when Jesus was arrested. Common sense would suggest that Caiaphas would send his guards out as soon as he knew where Jesus was, but he didn’t. Why not?

Many people were involved ranging from the star players such as Pilate and Judas Iscariot to the bit players such as Simon of Cyrene. In this book each of these is given their chance to explain their role in their own words. They can say what they really thought of what was going on. The author finished writing his book with a far firmer conviction about the divinity of Jesus and how much his sacrifice cost him, than when he started.

These stories have been used and appreciated by the author’s own church and by friends who knew what he was doing. They have been used as devotional readings for Holy Week, in schools, as dramatic readings in services, for Bible studies and to help students with their studies. They are also a good read and an effective way of introducing people to Jesus.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Apr 26, 2024
• ISBN: 9781528906470

John Lindeck

John Lindeck, a chartered accountant, worked throughout his career as a manager in multi-national companies. He has been married for over sixty years and has three children and four grandchildren. His hobbies include studying history, reading and following current events, crosswords and sudoku, watching sport, swimming, travel (going to see places is very different from being there on business) and visiting historical sites and galleries. Behind all this activity, there has been a steadily growing faith in Jesus Christ as his Saviour and Lord. There have been many problems at work and at home but God has always been there.

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About the Author

John Lindeck, a chartered accountant, worked throughout his career as a manager in multi-national companies. He has been married for over sixty years and has three children and four grandchildren. His hobbies include studying history, reading and following current events, crosswords and sudoku, watching sport, swimming, travel (going to see places is very different from being there on business) and visiting historical sites and galleries.

Behind all this activity, there has been a steadily growing faith in Jesus Christ as his Saviour and Lord. There have been many problems at work and at home but God has always been there.

Dedication

To Diane and our children, Jeremy, Judy, and Jackie, for their patience and their constant encouragement; my love and thanks. Diane, in particular, has put up with me shutting myself away for long periods and with my bad temper when I couldn’t get things as I wanted them.

Copyright Information ©

John Lindeck 2024

The right of John Lindeck to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781528903295 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781528906470 (ePub-e-book)

First Published 2024

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd®

1 Canada Square

Canary Wharf

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E14 5AA

Acknowledgement

Many people have assisted me by reading and commenting on this book or parts of it. Among those who come to mind are Barbara Bateman, Angela, Ian Beer, Penny Brookman, David Gegg, John Jackson, David James, John Mash, Nansi Parker, David Price, David Streater, John Taylor, Mike Vockins, John Woodger and Rob Hemmings from the Malvern Writers Circle. Valerie Houghton and Christine Bainton read the whole script to pick up the inconsistencies and spelling and grammatical errors which I had perpetrated. I am most grateful to them all.

Introduction

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me – just as the father knows me and I know the father – and I lay down my life for the sheep. The reason my father loves me is that I lay down my life – only to take it up again. No one takes it from me but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my father.

(Extracts from John 10:11–18)

The purpose of this book is twofold. Firstly, I wanted to see if it was possible, using only what is in the Scriptures, to produce a consistent story of the events in the week before Jesus died and the forty days after until the coming of the Holy Spirit. What motivated the people involved as they played their parts in the story? Each of them was true to himself. They had their own reasons for what they did and, taking these into account, their actions are understandable. I found myself convinced that the four gospel versions could be reconciled.

Almost all the information that we have about the trial and crucifixion of Jesus comes from the gospels. It would be reasonable to expect therefore that the four accounts would be consistent with each other. This is far from being the case. For example, Matthew gives a simple description of how Judas killed himself while that given by Luke in Acts tells of his body exploding and blood being splattered everywhere. Similarly, the details of the arrest of Jesus as written in John’s gospel differ widely from those in the other three accounts. Even in something as fundamental as the words Jesus spoke from the cross there are discrepancies. None of the gospels includes all of them. This is possibly either because of the gospel writer’s sources or because each of them is trying to paint his own picture of what happened and to emphasise what he considers to be important. All the gospels were written a considerable time after the events described had taken place and memory is notoriously selective. In any event, I find it easier to believe in stories where there are minor inconsistencies than four perfectly matched versions which suggest that the authors have got together and decided what the party line is.

The rules used in writing this book are simple. Whatever was included in the Bible about a person must be accepted as fact. All the references are included in the section at the end named Sources. I could not allow myself to alter or omit what a character did or said just because it did not fit in with what I imagined (or what corresponded with my own ideas!). These facts have been used as a series of pegs on which to hang fictional story lines. All direct speech quotations are based on the NIV. They have been paraphrased into modern English but every effort has been made to ensure that the meaning has not been changed.

This book is different from the previous one about Jesus’ life up to his final visit to Jerusalem. That was about individual incidents which build up to give a picture of Jesus. This is about a single series of events leading to a climax in which a whole series of characters play some part. All the stories must complement each other and add another layer to the total picture. Each individual can only say what he saw. I will certainly not have convinced everyone that I have got things right but I hope that what I have written gives a clear account of the crucifixion and the splendour and horror of what happened.

The crucifixion forms a large part of each of the four gospels yet, even here, the writers are selective in the material they use. For example, the descriptions of what happened after Easter Day are quite confusing.

Matthew, in a brief afterthought, says the remaining 11 apostles went to Galilee. He finishes with the Great Commission (‘All authority on heaven and earth has been given to you. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations’ – Matthew 28:19).

Mark mentions briefly the early events on the day of the Resurrection. Then, in what appears to be a postscript written later, he slightly amplifies what happened on that day. He refers in one sentence to the meeting with two disciples on the road to Emmaus and gives his own version of the Great Commission. Following this he tells us that Jesus ascended to heaven and that the Apostles went everywhere preaching the Gospel.

Luke tells in full the story of the two disciples on the Road to Emmaus. He then describes the appearance of Jesus to the disciples after the two had returned from Emmaus to Jerusalem and gives a very brief account of the Ascension. He gives a fuller account of that in his second book, the Acts of the Apostles.

John describes the meeting with the disciples on the night of the resurrection without mentioning the two from Emmaus. He gives a full account of his appearance to Thomas (John 20:19–31). As a postscript in chapter 21, he writes about the return to Galilee, the miraculous catch of fish and the reinstatement of Peter before again finishing his story. He makes no mention of the Ascension.

The key to writing this book was to understand the timelines for the whole period from the last supper to the events of the first Easter morning. Timelines are not exactly laid out in the gospels and certainly not in the crucifixion story. I have relied heavily on Frank Morrison’s excellent book "Who Moved the Stone?", written in the 1930s.

What is immediately clear is that there must have been a gap of at least three hours, probably four to five hours, between Judas leaving the Last Supper and Jesus being taken prisoner. When he left the Upper Room, Judas probably ran because he didn’t want to be late. The maximum time to get from anywhere in the city to Gethsemane was 30 minutes. Jesus finished the meal and talking to the remaining apostles, made his way to Gethsemane and went on his own to pray, returning to wake the apostles three times over a three-hour period. What happened with Judas in this time? You would have expected Caiaphas to want to take Jesus captive as soon as he could, particularly with the pressure he was under to get the crucifixion over before the beginning of the feast the next evening. But first he had to make sure that Pilate, the ultimate legal authority, would do what he wanted and it is probable that the two met that evening to arrange things between them. There is no way that Caiaphas could arrive at Pilate’s palace at six in the morning and expect to see the procurator without an appointment.

There are other difficult questions to answer. For example, why did Mary and her friends feel it necessary to get up early on the first Easter morning to embalm Jesus’ body when Joseph and Nicodemus had already done so on the day of his death. Maybe it was because the two men had not had time to finish the job before they had to return to the city before the gates were locked up for the night and the soldiers rolled the stone across the entrance to the tomb.

There are three occasions of which I am aware where I have attributed stories in the Bible to individual characters although this is not done in the text and, in each case, I believe there is good justification for doing so. These are:

Nicodemus. I have assumed that Nicodemus was the teacher referred to in Mark 12:28 and that this was what finally decided him that Jesus was the Messiah. I love the way Jesus dealt with Nicodemus in their first conversation. I cannot think he didn’t smile inwardly while he listened to Nicodemus clumsily trying to steer their conversation in the way he wanted.

Salome. I have assumed that Salome was the sister of Mary, Jesus’ mother. This would explain her frantic efforts to have her sons, James and John, sitting at Jesus’ right hand when he was in his kingdom. Nepotism was a way of life in those days – you don’t have to look beyond Caiaphas succeeding Annas as an example. There is a biblical trail which points towards this supposition although it is by no means conclusive. Luke (chapter 23, verse 49) says that the women watching at the foot of the cross were from Galilee. In Matthew chapter 27, verses 55 and 56 the mother of the sons of Zebedee is named as one of the women waiting at the foot of the cross, although not one of the two who stayed to see Jesus’ body taken down and entombed. In John chapter 19, verse 25 Mary’s sister, possibly John’s mother, is identified as one of the women who waited at the cross. As Mary’s sister, she would certainly have thought it her duty to go with her when John led her off after Jesus’ death. Mary, the mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene and Salome were among the group of five women who went to the tomb on the day after the feast to anoint Jesus’ body (Mark chapter 16, verse 1). Maybe John being a close relative was a factor in Jesus asking him rather than James, Mary’s next oldest son, to look after his mother following the crucifixion. The situation is not made clearer by the writers’ use of varying descriptions of the people they describe, for example John describes himself as ‘the disciple Jesus loved’ and Matthew calls Jesus’ mother Mary ‘the mother of James and Joses’ and, elsewhere, as ‘the other Mary.’

Mark. I have assumed that the young man mentioned in Luke 14:51–52 is Mark himself. No one else is likely to have known what really happened.

For me the most striking fact is that the obvious course of action for Pilate, Caiaphas and Herod was to produce the body. This would have silenced the rumours of resurrection once and for all. A huge stone was rolled across the mouth of the tomb and guards placed to prevent the body being stolen. In earthly terms, this should have been enough to make the body secure. It could not be produced. What does this tell us?

There is a line of thought which says that Jesus was not dead when he came down from the cross but in some sort of trance. This is not sustainable. Jesus had been flogged and crucified in a merciless manner. The soldiers had driven a spear into his side to prove he was dead and they were experts at their job. Their lives would have been forfeit if they had not completed their job. He would not have been in a fit state to walk out of the tomb three days later, even supposing he could move the stone.

None of this explains why Jesus died. If he could raise people from the dead, he could certainly have saved himself from crucifixion. His resurrection was confirmed by many witnesses as were the miracles he performed while journeying round Galilee and Jerusalem. Since he didn’t save himself, there must have been a compelling reason for him to sacrifice his life. This can only be, as the Bible says, that he was doing it to earn forgiveness for our sins. No other explanation makes sense.

What does all this mean to me? I am more than ever convinced that the story of Jesus as told in the Bible is correct and that the claims that Jesus made for himself are true. I have found nothing that leads me to doubt them.

One thing is very clear. The Jews expected either a military or a priestly Messiah. Jesus was neither of these but he matched exactly what was foretold in the Old Testament. To me this makes the story as it unfolds even more credible.

One of the problems with the sort of book I have written is that, because it is people and event based, it is impossible to include all the parables and wonderful stories that Jesus told or his detailed teaching. Maybe another time!

The use of the first person in telling the stories allows me to express the thoughts and motivations of those involved more easily and helps to make them more understandable.

These are my ideas. I very much hope they are not yours. Wouldn’t it be a very dull world if we all thought the same? But please take the time to think beyond the words written down and visualise the events as they must have seemed to the people who were there. Enjoy your read!

Mary

Luke: So, despite your warnings, Jesus went to Jerusalem. Did you go with him?

Mary: No. He seemed only to make up his mind when to go at the last minute. As usual I went with my friends from the synagogue in Nazareth. The first I heard of his arrival was when I was told of the welcome the people had given him as he entered the city. While I was naturally proud of him, I was worried because I knew how this would enrage the Jewish leaders still more. I met some of the women who followed Jesus including Mary Magdalene and Salome, my sister, and spent my time with them. It was an odd atmosphere in Jerusalem that year, heavy and ominous as if everyone was expecting something unusual.

Luke: Did you meet Jesus there?

Mary: I did briefly. He mostly stayed with Martha in Bethany while I lodged with friends in the city. By the middle of the week before Passover, he was so tired that he camped on the Mount of Olives. I worried about him sleeping in the open. Even when he went to Bethany, he arrived very late and left before dawn the next day. I saw him by the Temple one morning. He was the same as ever. I asked him if he needed to risk his life in the way he was doing. He replied that whatever must be, must be. He gave the impression that he was frightened and dreaded what was going to happen but that he was determined to go through with it.

Luke: When did you hear that he had been taken prisoner?

Mary: Early in the morning after it happened. John who had been with Simon at the house of Caiaphas came and told us. I knew then that there was no hope for him. We were all in despair. John told us that Jesus was to be crucified that day. However, much I wanted, I couldn’t stay away and I set out to Golgotha with my friends well before dawn. John came with us. I didn’t want to go and watch but he had to know that some of those he loved were there and had not deserted him. Mary Magdalene, my sister and another friend came with John and me. None of the other apostles were there. None of my other children had come to Jerusalem that year.

John: I am afraid the other ten were too frightened to be there.

Luke: Were you there the whole time?

Mary: Yes, until he died when I could hold myself together no longer. We arrived just as the crosses were being hoisted into the vertical. Two others were being crucified with him – one on each side. One mocked him, saying, ‘Aren’t you the Christ? Why don’t you save yourself – and us too while you are at it.’ The other seemed to know that Jesus was a good man and, turning his head; he called out to the one who had spoken, ‘Even when you are dying, don’t you fear God. We deserve to die for our crimes but this man has done nothing wrong.’ Then, looking at Jesus, he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you reach your kingdom.’ Jesus answered, ‘Be sure that today you will be with me in paradise.’ There was a strange silence in the crowd and all there heard the words that Jesus spoke. I noticed the guards drew lots to decide who would have the lovely robe which I had made for my son.

The sight of Jesus then will haunt me for evermore. His body was a mass of lash marks and his face was bruised and scarred. He was completely nude – the Romans knew how to humiliate people. He was wearing a crown of thorns, pressed down on his head which must have been agony. I wanted to go and cuddle him as I had done when he was a little boy. I could not understand why the people who had greeted him so enthusiastically and worshipped him earlier in the week had turned against him. He had healed the sick and done absolutely nothing to harm them. On the cross was a notice saying, ‘Jesus of Nazareth, the king of the Jews.’ He was offered wine mixed with myrrh to dull the pain but he wouldn’t even accept this.

There were a few Pharisees mocking and calling out, ‘He saved others; himself he cannot save.’ For a time, the high priest and his acolytes were on one side watching and calling out with the rest of them. Jesus looked down at them and said, ‘Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.’ Soon after I saw them move off.

How could this be happening to my son? He had never deliberately hurt anyone in his life. How could he hang there in agony and still consider others? I could tell by watching the crowd that this execution was different from any other they had seen. I could feel his agony hanging there, the constant struggle to breathe, the nagging pain of the rough cross rubbing on his whipped back. I was trembling uncontrollably and leaning on John for support. I had tears streaming down my face and wanted to look away but I couldn’t. In a strange way I would be deserting him if I did. Jesus looked at John and I and said to me, ‘Mother, this is your son,’ and to John, ‘Here is your mother.’ How he could think of me when he was in such torment I will never know.

Time passed. It grew dark – darker than most nights for there was neither moon nor stars. Black clouds covered the sun and it teemed with rain. I was soaked to the skin. Suddenly Jesus called out, ‘My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?’ I think this was the first time I had heard him address his prayers to anyone but Father. Had even the one who he loved so much deserted him?

A pause and then he called out, ‘I am thirsty.’ His body convulsed in mortal agony. I couldn’t help thinking of that perfect baby I had loved so much and of Simeon’s warning of the pain to come. I had taken such pride