The Vision Quest of Coyote~

"The Crucifiction"

Coyote watched his grandson Hawk drive down the dirt road until he couldn't see the tail lights of the Bronco any more. Then he walked around the house to the fire pit and built up the fire. It was already dark. The chill in the night air made his joints ache. He wasn't as young as he used to be. His oldest son Raven, who was Hawk's father, was killed in an automobile accident when Hawk was a year old. He still grieved for him. He sat on the fur by the fire, and slowly packed the bowl in his pipe.

Coyote thought about the last time he saw Raven. They were sitting here by the fire pit, talking and smoking, and passing the pipe back and forth, when Raven told him something he never expected to hear from one of his son's. What made it even more surprising was that he could tell by the look in Raven's eyes that he believed what he was saying. Raven had leaned forward, putting his elbows on his knees and looked him straight in the eye and said; "I have given my life to the War God we call Jesus. I believe he was the Great Spirit and......

That's where he cut him off! Coyote remembered getting so mad that his son would believe such nonsense that he just exploded. He and Raven had had words and Raven had left upset and hurt. But Coyote couldn't bring himself to say he was sorry. Raven was killed two days later when a drunk driver ran a red light. He never forgive himself for being such a fool. It had happened eighteen years ago, but it hurt like it was yesterday.

Now, his grandson was asking him about the same man called Jesus. He worshiped the Great Spirit, as all their people did, why did they want to worship a man who was not a God, but only a man like the rest of us. He didn't understand. He had told Hawk that he had reached a decision and believed that the War God was the Great Spirit! He wasn't sure why he had told him that at the time, it just came out. But now that he had time to think about it, Coyote was sure it was because he was afraid something would happen to Hawk also!

Coyote lit his pipe with a brand from the fire, and inhaled deeply. He blew the smoke toward the heavens, crying out in a loud voice; "Oh Great Spirit, Send me the Truth!"

As he smoked to the four directions and to mother earth, Coyote cried out each time; "Oh Great Spirit, Send me the Truth!"

Coyote leaned against his back rest, enjoying the rest of his pipe, satisfied he had done all he could do. It was in the Great Spirit's hands! But something kept nagging at him! Suppose he was wrong? He had never made it a point to try and find out why so many followed the teachings of this man. He believed as his ancestors did. They worshiped the Great Spirit who made all things, and who gave them this earth to live upon. Why would a Holy God want to come down to this earth where there was so much evil? The white men were filled with evil! They had taken their land away. Their medicine was more powerful then theirs! Coyote knew he held a hatred in his heart against all white men, even though he knew the Great Spirit was displeased with him about feeling that way. He wasn't sure how to get rid of it! As he got older, it seemed to eat away at him deep inside. Coyote knew he wasn't really that old. He was only fifty-nine. He tried to remember the last time he went on a Vision Quest?

Coyote knew it was several years ago. A strong sense of adventure filled him. His pulse quickened, and he leaned forward eagerly. Yes, that's what he would do! He would go to the foot of the Mountain to a spot he hadn't been to in years, and seek a Vision. Maybe the Great Spirit would show him the truth!

Coyote banked the fire, went to check on the three horses he owned, made sure they were all right, then decided to turn in. He would enter the sweat lodge in the morning. He hadn't eaten anything since noon and wouldn't eat supper. His fast was already started. As he entered the house, he felt his wife's presence. She had left for the spirit world more then two years ago and he missed her. Her illness had been long. There was nothing the doctors could do. He wondered why the Great Spirit took her from him?

Coyote was in the sweat lodge before the sun was up the next morning going through the same ancient ceremony he took Hawk through four days earlier. He prayed earnestly, requesting guidance from the Great Spirit, letting his prayers mingle with the grey steam that filled the lodge from the hot rocks in the pit, and the water he poured over them occasionally. The grey mist filled his lungs as he breathed deeply, cleansing his body and spirit.

It was about ten in the morning when he started out. He could still make it to the base of the mountain before it got dark. Coyote tied what he would need on the back of his stallion. He used a saddle blanket instead of a saddle, and a loose reign around his horses neck instead of a bit. Coyote had trained his horse to respond to knee pressure, and voice commands. He was gentle with him, and was rewarded with complete obedience.

Coyote skirted the edge of the desert, looking out across the vast expanse of sand dunes to the rock formations in the distance. He felt his spirit fly with the Eagle that soared not far overhead. As his journey progressed, he noticed the Eagle seemed to stay in the sky where he could see him, flying off to the East in the direction he was heading, and then back again! Coyote wondered if it was a sign from the Great Spirit that he was doing the right thing?

He reached the base of the mountain in time to enter the woods nearby and gather some wood for a fire. It took several trips. He wondered where all the small animals were? He looked around, but he didn't see any. He sensed they were afraid of him, and were hiding. That bothered him! Why would they be afraid of him? He started a fire in an old pit, spread his saddle blankets on the ground near the fire, put his thick fur blanket on top of that, and settled down. His horse was grazing nearby. The sounds of the night creatures filled the air. Their song comforted him. The air was already chilly, but he was used to it. It had been a long time since he slept out under the stars.

Coyote looked out across the lake to the mountains in the distance. He could barely see them in the dusk. The sun had already slipped behind the horizon in the West. He knew wolves, bobcats, and a few bears roamed this area, but he didn't expect to be bothered by them. He brought no food, only some beef Jerky that was sealed in an air tight container to avoid attracting them. He brought his large knife, and his bow and quiver of arrow's just in case. His knife was in a sheath on his waist belt. His weapons were within easy reach. Coyote was wearing his heavy buckskins. They would help keep him warm. He took his bag of tobacco, and his pipe out of a large buckskin bag hanging at his waist belt, and started packing his pipe. He did it slowly, and methodically, turning over in his mind if he had made a mistake in coming all this way to the middle of nowhere, expecting the Great Spirit to just drop everything, & listen to his whims! But he was here now. He may as well stay. Coyote smoked and prayed, watching his prayers drift up to the Great Spirit on the wisps of smoke, and wondered if the Great Spirit was listening? An image of Raven, as he last saw him, kept drifting through his mind. He wondered why he was thinking of him now? Eventually he crawled into his blanket and slept.

The next three days crawled by. He kept his camp site clean, gathered more wood each day, swam in the cool water of the lake, and prayed. He ignored the hunger pains. When he started getting light headed he was glad he didn't venture up into the mountains. A lone wolf and its cub took to watching him from the woods line about a hundred feet away. It was unusual for a wolf to bring her cub this close to a human, but the mother seemed no threat to him, and although he watched her wearily, he mostly ignored her. It gave him some comfort to know that all animals weren't afraid of him, and he wondered why she came with her cub to watch him everyday, leaving just as the sun was setting.

It was late on the fourth day! Coyote figured he had a couple hours of day light left. He had just laid in a good supply of wood for the night, taken a bath in the cold mountain lake, and put on fresh buckskins. He was sitting at the fire pit praying when he thought he heard what was a crowd of people weeping and wailing. It must have been his imagination. He admitted he was light headed. He had gone without food now for four days, only drinking a little water each day. Then he heard it again, louder this time! He looked around! He was in the middle of nowhere! Where was it coming from? Suddenly it stopped! Everything was eerily quiet. Even the sounds from the animals, and creatures in the wild around him paused, and held their breath.

In front of Coyote's startled eyes the figure of a warrior was emerging. Coyote heard a slight swooshing sound, and yet the air was still! Even the animals and creatures of the forest were quiet! Coyote couldn't believe his eyes! It was his Son! It was Raven!

Something deep inside snapped, and all the pain, and regret, came pouring out in one big sob! "Raven!" he cried. "I am so sorry! Please forgive me?"

Raven gently smiled at his father, understanding his sorrow. He had parted with unresolved words between them, and while his were forgotten, his father carried his around with him. "Father;" Raven called."Look at me!" Coyote lifted his head, swiping at the tears running down his face, and tried to smile. "It's good to see you my son;" Coyote told Raven, trying to regain his composure.

"You have been granted your request;" Raven told Coyote. "You have asked for the truth, and I have come to take you to it." He instructed Coyote to roll up in his blanket by the fire. When he had done this, Raven talked to him softly. "I am taking you in the Spirit to a time of long ago, a time when the Great Spirit walked the face of the earth in the form of a man." Coyote felt his eyes closing. Heaving a soft sigh, he didn't try to fight it. The rest was so peaceful.

Suddenly Coyote was wide awake! He glanced around! He seemed to be hovering effortlessly in the air beside his son Raven, who watched him in amusement. Coyote realized he wasn't startled or worried about this turn of events. Those two qualities seemed to be missing.He was completely free of the body and all it represented. He felt light as a feather, and free as a bird. He had no worries or cares. He was content for the first time he could ever remember. He looked at Raven, and heard his thoughts.

"I am taking you to a time when the Great Spirit walked among the  men of the earth, nearly two-thousand years ago. I will hear your thoughts and answer you." Before Coyote knew what was happening, Raven waved his hand and the scenery changed. He found himself in the air, not far from a hugh walled City. Thousands of people camped for miles outside the city gates.The city itself was bustling with activity. The narrow city streets were packed with vendors, and all manner of peoples. Roman Guards tried to keep some kind of order to all the confusion. The noise of the people, the barkers calling their wares, and the animals brought for sacrifice at the temple echoed past the city wall's. Coyote wondered what was going on?

"That is the city of Jerusalem;" Raven told him. "Most of those you see are of the Jewish Nation. The feast of the Passover will soon take place. They have gathered for this event, and to make their yearly sacrifices at the temple. That is why they bring the animals with them."  Coyote seemed to stay at Raven's side as they traveled slowly thru the air looking at the sights and hearing the sounds below them. Coyote was fascinated! He noticed the men wore long robes, gathering in groups to talk and greet old friends. Children ran and played, while mothers tried to keep track of them in the crowds and confusion.They drew closer to the city, until they looked down on what looked to be a small palace. Raven pointed to a certain man slinking thru the city streets heading for the palace of the high priest Caiaphas. Raven waved his hand toward the palace and Coyote could see inside where a large group of Chief Priests, scribes and elders gathered. Coyote could hear their words, and understood them. They were discussing how to take the man called Jesus and kill him, but others were saying they shouldn't do it on a feast day least there be an uproar among the people. Then Raven saw the man who was slinking thru the streets talk to one of the guards. The man was told to wait. Soon the guard was back, and the man was led inside the palace to the large room where the chief priests, and scribes and elders gathered with the High priest Caiaphas. The High priest asked the man what he wanted. The man asked? "What would you give me, if I deliver this man called Jesus to you?"  The man waited while they discussed it among themselves. They agreed upon the sum of thirty pieces of silver. The deal was made! The man would watch for his first opportunity to betray Jesus!

Raven took Coyote outside the city to a clearing where a man stood talking to some men who were sitting at his feet and listening to his every word. Coyote was fascinated with the man that was talking. There was something about his eyes that drew you to him. He listened to what the teacher was telling them.

"Some of the men asked Jesus where he wanted them to prepare the passover feast? It was the first day of the feast of unleavened bread. Jesus told them to go into the city to a certain man and say to him, That the Master said, "My Time is at hand. I will keep the passover at your house with my disciples." Then those disciples left to prepare the passover. Jesus stayed with the others teaching them about the Kingdom. Coyote listened as Jesus spoke. He spoke as one with authority, as if he had been there and knew what he was talking about because he had seen it!

As evening approached, Raven and Coyote followed Jesus and the other disciples to the upper room that had been prepared for them. As they sat around together eating, Jesus made the announcement that one of them would betray him! His disciples were very sorrowful and each of them asked; "Lord is it I?" Then Judas asked;"Lord is it I?" And Jesus looked at him in sorrow. "You have said so;" he replied. Then he took bread, blessed it, and broke it, and gave each a piece and said;" Take, eat, for this is my body." Then he poured a cup full of wine and blessed it, and handed it to them. "Drink all of it, for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for the remission of sins. But, I say unto you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I will drink it new in my Fathers Kingdom." Then they sang a hymn, and all rose, and left for the mount of Olives. Judas had already left.

Raven waved his hand and the scene changed. Jesus and the disciples were entering a large beautiful garden."That is the Garden of Gethsemane;" Raven said. Coyote heard Jesus ask the disciples to stay there and watch. He asked Peter, and James and John, who were the son's of Zebedee, to come and go with him. When they had gone a little farther, Jesus turned to them. His heart was heavy. His voice was filled with sorrow. Stay with me and watch, Jesus told them, and they settled down to wait.

Painting is by Danny Hohlbolm~

Jesus went a little farther and fell down, and prayed saying;"O my Father, if it be possible let this cup pass from me, nevertheless, Not as I will, but as You will!" Three times he prayed, and three times he checked on Peter, James and John to find them asleep.Finally Jesus said;"Sleep on now, and take your rest for the hour is at hand, & the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinful men!"

Then Jesus woke them, for a great crowd of people, and chief priests, and elders were coming their way. Jesus recognised Judas in front with the elders and chief priests.

Coyote, who had been watching everything, also recognized the man in front. It was the same one who made the deal for 30 pieces of silver. He watched as Judas walked up to Jesus and greeted him with a kiss on the cheek, saying;"Hail master!" Immediately, they ran to lay hands on Jesus, and hold him. One of those with Jesus drew his sword and cut off the ear of one of the servants of the high priests. Jesus told him to put away his sword, for all who lived by the sword shall die by it. "Don't you know I can pray to my father and he will immediately give me 12,000 legions of Angel's?" he told them. Then his disciples, fearing for their lives, fled. Those having hold of Jesus led him into the city, and thru the streets to the high priest Caiaphas, where the scribes and elders were waiting. But Peter followed from afar, and went into the high priests palace, and sat with the servants so he could see how it ended.

The chief priests, and elders and all the council sought false witness against Jesus so they could put him to death, but they could find none. Finally, at the last came two false witnesses. "This man said he could destroy the Temple and build it up again in three days;" they said. Then the high priest arose and asked Jesus what he had to say about what the false witnesses were saying, but Jesus would not say anything in his own defense. Then the high priest said;"I Command you, by the living God, that you tell us if you are the Christ. The Son of God?"

Jesus answered; "You have said so, nevertheless I say to you, Here after you shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven."

There was a sudden uproar. The high priest tore his clothes. "He spoke blasphemy," he shouted, "why do you need more witnesses? What do you think?"

"He is guilty of death," they answered, gathering around Jesus, punching him, and slapping him with their open palms, and spitting upon him, saying, "prophesy to us thou Christ! Who is it that hit you?"

Coyote couldn't believe what he was seeing. The torture went on and on. As far as he could tell the man Jesus had done nothing wrong. He wouldn't even utter a single word in his own defense. As morning came, he watched them tie Jesus and lead him into the streets. "They're taking him to Pontius Pilate who is the Governor of Judea;" Raven explained. "The Jews have no power to put Jesus or anyone to death. The power is with Rome."

Coyote watched as they took him before Pilate, who questioned him and found him guilty of nothing. But the chief priests and elders clambered for his death. Even his wife had an opinion. Pilate thought he saw a way out. He always released a Prisoner of the peoples choice to them on the Passover Feast. He would put it to the people. Pilate was sure they would choose Jesus over Barrabas who was a known thief and criminal. But the people clambered for Barrabas, and when Pilate saw that he could do nothing, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying he was innocent of the blood of this Just man. Then the people shouted, "His Blood will be on us, and on our children."

Coyote watched as they beat Jesus, then delivered him into the hands of the soldiers of the Governor. They took him into the common hall, and the whole band of soldiers gathered around, mocking him. They stripped him of his clothes and put a scarlet robe on him, and platted a crown of thorns, and placed it on his head. Then they put a reed in his right hand, and knelt down on one knee saying, "Hail, King of the Jews." They spit upon him, and took the reed from him and hit him on the head with it, and mocked him.Then they removed the robe, and put his own clothes back on him and led him away to be crucified!

Coyote knew the trip thru the city streets must have been torture for Jesus. After falling several times, the Roman soldiers pulled a strong looking man from the side lines, and told him to carry his cross for him. They finally made it outside the city gates to a hill called Golgotha. Coyote noticed a small group of women following as closely as they dared, and weeping. He looked at Raven. "One of them is the mother of Jesus;" Raven explained.

Coyote watched horrified, as they literally nailed him to the cross. He felt himself wincing with every blow they dealt him. Then they parted his garments, and cast lots for them. A Sign was placed at the top of the cross, over Jesus head. Coyote read the sign with no trouble. It said~This is Jesus The King of the Jews. It was the sixth hour, which was 12 noon, when Darkness descended upon the land, and the darkness that was like night, stayed for three hours until three in the afternoon when they heard Jesus Cry Out in a Loud Voice, Saying, "My God, My God, Why hast thou forsaken me?"Then again he cried out with a loud voice, and his Spirit left his body. The veil in the Temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom, exposing  the Holy of Hollies. The earth shook with such force that large rocks were split in two, and graves were opened and many bodies of the saints who had died arose. The guards and those who were with them watching over Jesus were suddenly afraid when they saw these things, and said, Truly this was the son of God! Coyote watched as the body of Jesus was taken down and held by his mother, who cried with grief. The body was given to Joseph of Arimathaea who was a disciple of Jesus. He wrapped Jesus in fine linen, and took him to his own new tomb that was hewn out of the rock, and laid him inside. It was almost six o'clock. A large stone was rolled in front of the entrance and Roman guards were placed on watch. It was rumored that Jesus would rise after three days, and they were taking no chances that some of his followers would steal his body and claim that he rose from the dead!

Coyote had heard enough by now to wonder himself if Jesus would rise from the dead. That would prove he was really the Great Spirit, for only the Great Spirit had power over life and death! "We are going ahead three days;" Raven told Coyote, waving his hand.

There was a great earthquake, as an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and rolled back the stone from the entrance to the tomb, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning and his clothes white as snow. The guards saw what happened and fainted! The angel spoke to the women who were coming toward the tomb.He told them not to be afraid, that he knew they were looking for Jesus who was crucified. He said Jesus wasn't there, that he was risen as he said he would, and that they could come and look inside the tomb if they wanted to.

The angel told them to go and tell his disciples that Jesus was risen from the dead, and that he was on his way to Galilee, and he would see them there! The two women were filled with both fear and joy, and ran off to where the disciples of Jesus were, to tell them what the angel said. They no sooner got there then Jesus Arrived.

All Hail, Jesus said, and everyone ran to him, and worshipped him. Coyote watched as Jesus showed himself to many people across Galilee, and finally to a large crowd of over 500 people. Coyote knew when Jesus saw him.  His gaze looked into his soul, and something passed between them. Coyote felt the compassion and love in Jesus eyes. He was filled with peace. He knew this was the Great Spirit! Joy filled his soul. Raven and Hawk were right all along! Then Coyote watched, as Jesus ascended up into the clouds. Coyote looked at Raven, and found him grinning at him. He grinned back, as Raven waved his hand.

The sounds of the day coming alive woke Coyote just as the sun was coming up. His mind was still filled with what he had seen in his vision. Coyote knew Jesus was the great Spirit. He didn't understand a lot of things, but that's one thing he definitely knew, and that changed everything! It didn't take Coyote long to break camp. He couldn't wait to get home, and Call Hawk!~"They had a lot to talk about!"

Written by..

Sandy "Sue" Crouch

These are the Reference Scriptures for the Vision itself~

Matthew: Chapters 26, 27, & 28~

Luke: Chapters 22, 23, & 24~

  Enter Here for~

The Vision Quest of Badger # 4~

"The Pit's of Hell"

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    Edited 3/9/02     

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