DAMIEN – A JERUSALEM BLACKSMITH
I am a Roman citizen. My years of life took place during the time when Roman soldiers were a common sight in my city. We were under their thumb. Even those of us who were considered to be part of the infrastructure of the city, were enslaved in a manner of speaking. The Romans taxed all the merchants and craftsmen mercilessly. The Roman armies were strong and had to be outfitted with swords, shields and armor which required the mass production of many strong hands and bodies. The smaller jobs, like making tools, hardware, horseshoes and things that could be made quickly were done in shops like mine.
Most of the iron I used was scrap metal from the larger foundries. I made molds for many of the items I made so the process wasn’t so intense. It also allowed me to make several at a time. Most of the items I sold were for the everyday person. The metal was imported from other parts of the world. My shop was situated on the edge of town, because the fumes that resulted from my work were often hard to handle and could even be toxic.
One day, after filling a rather large order, I was approached by a centurion who commented on the quality of my work. He said he would recommend me for future projects. Of course I was honored, but my desire for more work left me thinking of my own selfish needs rather than what I would be commissioned to produce. The Romans were a brutal people. The soldiers were trained to be so. Part of their punishment for those scheduled to be executed was crucifixion. It was a means of torture that slowly led to death. The process put the criminal on display so that others would think twice before committing any crime against the state. I provided the spikes that would pierce the skin and be driven through cartilage to position the body for hanging and eventual death.
The spikes were made of scraps of metal and formed into sharp objects about 7″ long. I could make many of these spikes at a time, but had no idea what the object of their intention would be until that day when they nailed Jesus to a cross. He was positioned between two criminals who were obviously guilty of their crimes, but Jesus didn’t seem to fit the description at all. I heard Him when he preached on the Mount of Olives. His voice radiated over thousands of people. eager to hear his words of peace and love. Even though that voice was powerful enough to reach a crowd like that, it also held comfort and hope for people who had been oppressed for centuries.
I was a witness to His death. He was beaten to a pulp as blood poured from His wounds. Flies and other insects feasted on is blood. His eyes were swollen from the bruising He endured. He was unrecognizable has a human being. The mocking crowd eventually grew tired of waiting for Him to die and left the scene. My eyes went straight to those spikes and realized that I was as much responsible for this innocent man’s death as those who pounded the nails into His flesh. Still, I knew that I was forgiven for my part in it. As HIs eyes surveyed the crowd below He said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
Jesus was truly the Messiah I’d heard about. He had not only come for the Jews, but for all the people of the world. My heart felt the sting of death for a moment, but I am no longer afraid. Jesus didn’t die just for me, but for all people.
atimetoshare.me 
I’ve often thought about the every-day, common people who resided in the world during the time Jesus walked those dusty roads of Israel. This blog reminds us that there were people who simply did what they needed to do to make a living, not realizing until later that their seemingly incidental acts were contributary to facilitating the death of our savior. Although this story is set in a time some two-thousand years ago, we are today still performing thoughtless acts that are yet contributing to that horrible execution on Calvary.
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Amen. We are indeed characters in God’s miraculous story and we have an obligation to live according to his will. Thanks for reading and for your kind comment.
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Thank you for bringing these people to “life”. This one hit my heart very hard. To think of the humans that walked in the days of Jesus, and to think of the person who made the nails that drove through the hands of Jesus, is sobering. It’s real. The crucifixion of our Savior brings me to tears. Recently, I watched the Passion of Christ (and I’ve just finished The Chosen series for the 2nd time). Although these are created in our times, with our perspectives, they bring to “life” the events that have saved MY life. Just as you do with your gifts. You’re so gifted in your word and writing. You give all glory to God and I love the way you are bringing the message of salvation, through Jesus, to all of us. I’ll think of this blacksmith, Damien when I remember the nails. Thank you, Mama K. I love you.
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I’m glad this touched your heart. God is amazing in how he does his will. He already knew what his son would have to go through for us and our sin. Putting out faith in him isn’t always easy, but necessary. Love you and continued prayers for you.
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Amen, Mama K. I’m going to share this with my family. My Mom has been sick (she was sick when she took me to my treatment last Thursday, bless her heart). I’m afraid the stress of my situation has caught up with them. But I don’t want them to worry–God IS amazing, just as you shared and know well. Faith isn’t always easy, but necessary–AMEN! I love that! Faith and Grace were the names of the two nurses taking care of me last week. I’m preparing to head to Maryland next week for my follow-up. I’ll be alone. My blood sugar is a bit of an issue. I’m sorry to share here, but worried I won’t get on email too soon! But GOD HAS ME! It will be a quick trip with two scans and a follow-up with the surgeon and my cancer specialist/endocrinologist. A blogging friend, Dora, might be able to meet up with me and I know how to ask for help if I need it! God has me!! Just as he has you and Paul. I pray your names out loud! May God continue to bless us, heal us, and help us remember that we have salvation NOW. Our eternal life is NOW–the indwelling of His Spirit and the LIFE we live NOW in HIM! Our bodies are inhabited by our Maker and reinvaded by Deity if we choose. Salvation is more than just our destination–but Christ living in us HERE AND NOW! Oh, what joy that gives me, Mama K! I love you so much!
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As the madness in the world increases the more I appreciate the servant King Jesus, the only King who came to serve to the ultimate of surrendering His life for His subjects instead of crushing them to maintain power…
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Kathy, this narrative takes me back to a theater where I experienced the brutal death of Jesus in the film, “The Passion of the Christ.” Holding similar feelings as Damien, I felt the agony borne by Christ for my own selfish sin. Yes, I contributed to every nail used in His crucifixion.
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Because of his amazing love and passion for us, we can be confident that he died to save us salvation.
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