SAUL, SHALLUM & JEPHUNEH CHAPTER SEVENTEEN - Page 3

BACK IN THE city, now that the soldiers had released them, Shallum and Jephuneh walked with Saul away from the Rose Garden. "Tell me more about this Ephraim," Saul said.

"According to Caiaphas, on the Sabbath day Jesus anointed his eyes with clay, and told him to go wash in the Pool of Siloam, and when he washed away the clay, he could see."

"What would washing clay from one's eyes have to do with restoring sight?"

"I don't know, Saul," replied Jephuneh, "but let me ask, is there ever any, shall we say rational connection between some of the actions related to miracles? For example, Saul, do you think there was any rational connection between Moses stretching out a rod and the waters of the Red Sea parting? Or Israel marching around Jericho and the walls falling? We have been taught that it was not the physical act, but rather the faith of the heart, and obeying the command of God that brought the miracle."

"Are you trying to tell us, Jephuneh, that this Jesus did perform a miracle?"

"No, I was merely saying that you cannot rationalize miracles, otherwise they would not be miracles."

"If this is the best reporting you can do for Caiaphas, then perhaps you should refund the money he gave you," Saul said with sarcasm. "Tell me how you came to have this case of the blind man on your list of those you are to examine?"

"Our father," said Jephuneh, "told us that there was a big controversy at the Council yesterday. There were some at the Council who believed this man was blind and received his sight by a miracle. And, of course, there were many more who did not believe. But it disturbs them that some believed him."

"Of course. Well, what does Caiaphas want us to learn that he has not already learned through interrogation?"

"We are to learn what the people of his own community are saying. Will they confirm that he was born blind? That he can now see?"

"Before we go any further, let's pause right here so you can tell me all that you've been told about this case."

"Well," said Shallum, "it was the morning of the Sabbath, when this man called Jesus passed the blind beggar named Ephraim, and he did what seemed a very foolish thing. He made a paste from clay and his spittle--"

"--Spittle?! Outrageous. It is unclean, not to mention the water of the Pool of Siloam. Of course, no one instructed him on how to pour the water in an unbroken stream across his eyes, I suppose, making it clean. Go on."

"He told him to go and wash in the Pool of Siloam. According to the report, the man did as he was told, and could see."

"Quite a story, I would say," Saul remarked.

"Some of the neighbors said it was the same one who had been born blind, and others disagreed saying it was someone else who resembled him. They sent for his parents," Shallum continued, "and they affirmed that he was their son and had been born blind."
"And what troubles Caiaphas?"

"He says this healing was done on the Sabbath."

"Good, he shows concern for the traditions, at least."

"I think it is more than that," interjected Jephuneh. "Caiaphas is angry because the One who supposedly wrought this miracle is this man Jesus. At any rate, we have been told to go to the home in person, and hear what this Ephraim has to say for himself. And find out what we can from his neighbors."

As they neared the area of the Pool of Siloam, they had no trouble to learn the location of the one reputedly healed of blindness. An elderly man with his grandson were the first they encountered. He responded to their inquiry by saying, "You mean Ephraim? Of course, I know where he lives. Everyone knows him. He is the one Jesus healed of blindness."

"Do you believe he was born blind?" Saul asked.

"I wasn't with his mother when he was born," replied the old man, somewhat sarcastically. "But I have been living in this area before Ephraim was born. All I can say is from the time I first saw him as a child, he was blind. There was always someone guiding him, that is, until a few days ago when all of that changed." Then the old man's eyes narrowed, and he fixed his gaze directly on Saul. "You know what happened. That is why you are here. I am no fool. All three of you are here for the same reason. You know the man Jesus brought healing to Ephraim. The religious leaders threw Ephraim out of the synagogue because he asked them if the One who brought him his sight was not a prophet. I don't think at the moment he even knew it was Jesus who brought his healing. He told them the only thing he knew for certain was that he had been born blind, and now he could see. They told him to, 'Give praise to God. We know this man Jesus is a sinner.' Ephraim answered, 'I do not know whether he is a sinner or not, but one thing I do know and that is, I was blind and now I see.' They kept asking him how Jesus brought him healing, and he asked them if they were interested in becoming his disciples."

The old man continued, "I was raised to love the synagogue. I still do. But I want you young men to know I am not happy with the way they treated Ephraim. But why should I worry my old head? Ephraim can now see the flowers and birds, and watch the children playing, and that is far better than sitting as a blind man." Turning to his grandson, the old man said, "We can't waste our time further with these. Let us go."

Saul cried, "Get his name! Get his name before he leaves!"

"Just put me down as the old man at the pool," he replied sarcastically, and his voice died away in laughter as he disappeared down the street.

The three of them sat down on a bench at the pool side. "The old man mocks us, and he mocks the Temple," Saul said. "Jesus is responsible for this. He chose the to violate the Sabbath at the Pool of Siloam for a reason. Now this old man mocks us. When will the Temple once again command the respect of the people? I say, when it is reformed." After a moment of looking around, Saul pointed to the opening of Hezekiah's tunnel, which brought water into the pool from a spring outside of the city. "What do you suppose Jesus had in mind, using this pool? You know its history."

"I am afraid we do not," replied Shallum.

"Hezekiah was a reformer. He restored the traditions and did right in the sight of God. He was helped by God to dig the tunnel that brought this water from the Gihon Spring into the city. The water supply was tunneled in anticipation of the Assyrian siege of the city by Sennacherib seven hundred years ago. Once his armies had surrounded Jerusalem he made the boast that he had trapped King Hezekiah in Jerusalem like a bird in a cage. He mocked the God of Israel. He wrote letters and sent messengers throughout the world predicting the fall of Jerusalem.'

"The miracle of this tunnel is that the workers began working from both ends. As they worked over 150 feet below the summit of the rocks above them, they did not dig in straight courses, but rather in tunnels that wound around. We do not know why the workman dug their tunnels in such a winding course. Perhaps it was God's way of demonstrating the real miracle, the miracle of the two teams connecting perfectly, deep in the heart of the mountain. Deep in the rock below this city you can read the inscription on the wall of the tunnel that tells how they heard the shouting to one another when they made the final breakthrough, making the two sections of the tunnel connect as one. God was with them."

"Has anyone ever been able to figure out how they accomplished such an incredible job?" Shallum asked.

"I think," Saul replied, "the answer comes most clearly from the scriptures. It was a true miracle of God, not the kind of trickery which now infects our land. The scripture records, Hezekiah said to his men, Be strong and courageous, and be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God to help us."

"Do you think God will help us find these people who are saying Jesus is the Messiah, and silence them?" Jephuneh asked.

Saul smiled and stood up. The others joined him.

"Perhaps," he said, "we should form two teams to wander around the city. If we meet in the middle with all our questions answered then we will know God is with us." He laughed, letting them know that he had spoken in jest.

"Maybe that is why Jesus chose the Pool of Siloam," Jephuneh suggested. "Perhaps he recalled that the two teams of tunnel workers had worked blind, and yet they were guided through solid rock to each other. God overcame their blindness."

Saul had not considered such a possibility. He doubted it as a theory but was sorry he had stopped to tell the history of this place if this kind of speculation was to be the result. "Actually, my friends," he said, "if God guides us in working for Caiaphas I will be surprised. We've done nothing to deserve His aid."

They walked across the city toward the neighborhood of Ephraim. As they went, Jephuneh said, "Let me do the questioning this time. You two are too direct, and you have a tendency to irritate people."

Saul agreed to let him try. Jephuneh would ask the questions, and Saul would keep records of all that was said.

At the house, Ephraim's mother answered the door. Saul's heart sank when she said Ephraim was not at home. Saul was extremely sensitive to wasting time, and wondered if this first contact made for Caiaphas was of no value. However, his face brightened when Ephraim's mother said, "But he will be back any moment. We have had so many visitors coming to the house to inquire about the miracle, he usually takes a long walk in the mornings to be quiet and meditate. If Jesus happens to be speaking in the neighborhood, he goes to hear him."

Even as they were speaking, Saul saw a man of about 30 years of age approaching. He was walking very briskly, and his mother said, "Oh, here he is now. I will be happy to introduce you to my son. Would you tell me your names?"

With some hesitation, Jephuneh introduced Saul and Shallum. Ephraim's mother said, "I presume like several others that came yesterday, you have come at the request of Caiaphas to further question my son about the healing." Saul winced at the matter of fact way in which she said this. He wasn't sure he appreciated being linked in even a remote manner to one as infamous as Caiaphas.
After introducing them to her son, she said, "Ephraim, these men were sent by Caiaphas, and they would like to talk with you some more about the miracle of your healing. I wonder if they are considering becoming followers of Jesus as well?"

Saul glanced at Shallum, as if to say, Is this what we are going to have to deal with?
Ephraim smiled and said, "It is so pleasant here in the warm sun, I would like to stay out here. But I am afraid we would be interrupted too often if we remained here. Our home is very humble, but we could find comfortable chairs inside, and we would have more privacy."

As Saul and his friends followed the Ephraim into the house, he said, "My mother will be happy to prepare some refreshments. It may not be much, because we have had so many guests since I was healed by Jesus. Our cupboard has been bare much of the time. But we have been delighted to share our testimony as well as our food with those who, like yourselves, have come to inquire about the miracle. Some have come from points far away. Naturally they remain to hear Jesus in person, and witness his healing ministry to others. I am sure you have heard about the sight being restored to the blind beggar named Bartemaus of Jericho. It happened in front of a very large crowd. My healing was more private. One thing I must say about Jesus, he does not heal to impress a crowd. In my case, he healed me because he simply cared about me. And I cannot tell you why."

When refreshments were brought and placed on the table before them, Ephraim said, "Do you have any questions you would like to ask now? Or would you prefer that I relate what took place one week ago last Sabbath?"

"Please tell us in your own words exactly what happened as you best recollect it," Jephuneh said.

"As I recollect it?" Ephraim said with a good-natured laugh. "If I forgot everything else that took place in my thirty years, I could not forget how I received my sight. As you know, this miracle took place on a Sabbath morning. I was sitting in my usual place in front of the home enjoying the warmth of the sun. Suddenly I was aware of someone pausing and standing directly in front of me. I had no knowledge who this might be, but I heard a man ask, Master, who did sin this man or his parents that he was born blind? I resented the suggestion that my blindness was the result of my parents' sin, as some suggested. But before I could express myself, I heard His voice, a beautiful gentle voice, Neither has this man sinned nor his parents: but that the works of God should be manifest in him. I had no understanding of what he meant by that statement, and was still more mystified when he added, I must work the works of him that sent me while it is day: the night is coming when no man will work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

As Ephraim continued speaking, Shallum noticed Saul making a note; He said as long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

Ephraim paid no attention to Saul's action. Either he did not notice it, or did not care.
Shallum judged it was the latter.

"After I heard these words," Ephraim continued, "there was silence. I waited for the people to pass on. I was unaware that Jesus had moistened clay with his spittle, and then with some clay on his finger tip, he touched my eyes. Then he gave me the most astonishing command. 'Go wash in the Pool of Siloam!' After he said that, he moved on, and I sensed the crowd went with him. At first, I was too dumbfounded to move."

"Did all of this seem insulting?" Saul asked.

"Perhaps to one who was not blind," Ephraim said. "When he told me to wash in the pool, I remembered from childhood hearing the story of Naaman the leper. He came to Elisha seeking a cure from his leprosy and was insulted at the prophet who told him to simply go and wash in the Jordan. Had it not been for the wisdom of his Syrian servant, he would have gone back to die in the valley of lepers. Do you remember what happened?"

The three young men glanced at each other and nodded.

"We don't know why the prophet told Naaman to dip seven times, other than it was a challenge to total obedience. At least the One who told me to go wash in the Pool of Siloam did not ask me to go seven times, or wash seven times. The pool, as you know, is not far from our home. Because He asked something so simple, I felt I had nothing to lose. I sat still for only a moment, and then said to myself, 'Ephraim, you can sit here in the darkness forever trying to reason how washing in the Pool of Siloam could not possibly bring you your sight, or, you can get up and go. Our neighbor's little girl named Leah, who was always willing to assist me when I needed a guide, agreed when I asked her to take me to the Pool of Siloam. And once there, she guided me down to the pool, and I knelt down and washed away the clay, and . . . I could see! I could see!" cried Ephraim, tears rolling from his eyes again.

"And what was the first thing you could see?"

Ephraim's voice grew husky. "You will have to excuse my emotions. They are hard to control when I tell this. But if you want to really know what I saw first, it was my own face reflected in the water. But there were tears falling with the drops of water from the pool. With my fingers I had felt my face many times. I knew every part of it that way. But for the first time, I could see my face, and see the tears rolling across my fingers. I had felt tears on my face at times, when as a boy I cried because I could not see like other boys. But now, at 30 years of age, I was crying for joy. It seemed so remarkable to see a face, and see tears of joy. Little Leah got so excited, she jumped and danced, and started shouting to the people, 'He can see! Ephraim can see!' "After the first shock of realizing what had happened, I just stood and stared in wonder at my hands, then at my feet, and I looked up at the clouds, and at people nearby. Then fully persuaded I was not dreaming and that I would not be plunged suddenly into the darkness of my former world, I started to run. I stumbled and had to stop several times because the motion was new to me. I ran as fast as I could toward home. I wanted my father and mother to know immediately, but I got lost because I could see. I had to stop and feel the streets the way I always did, before I could be sure which street was mine. I shouted at everyone I met between the pool and home, 'I can see! I can see!' And I could hear voices behind me shouting to neighbors and friends, 'It is Ephraim, the blind man. He can see! He can see!' Naturally a crowd gathered at the door of our home. And after I told my parents all that had happened, I had to repeat the same to those who kept coming. And they did keep coming, and coming, and I repeated the story of my miracle over and over and over again, and I haven't stopped.'

"That evening there came a knock at our door that was louder and longer than others. 'It is the Temple Guards,' my mother said to me, as she glanced through the shuttered window. 'I wonder what brings them here at this hour?' When she opened the door, the lead guard said rather roughly to her, 'Caiaphas the High Priest says you are to come with us immediately. And your sons is to accompany you.' Mother seemed quite nervous as she donned her cape and covered her head in preparation for meeting the High Priest. I said to her, 'Mother, you have no reason to fear. All I have done is tell people I was healed of my blindness'."

Ephraim turned to Saul and his friends. "Up to this time I still did not know who had placed the clay on my eyes and told me to go and wash in the Pool of Siloam."

"Oh, come now," Saul interjected. "Surely he would not do such a thing and not announce it loudly, to everyone."

"No, quite the opposite. Jesus did not tell me who he was. Nor was I aware that the High Priest hated him so much until I got there and it slowly came to me what was happening. I am sure you cannot even imagine my reaction to this meeting. The name of the high priest was familiar, and I had once heard the sound of his voice at the Temple. But to see him, to see him in all of his splendor, seated like a king surrounded by his council, was an overwhelming sight. It was for my parents, and you can imagine my reactions seeing him and the others. After being blind all my life, it was awesome to be able to see all of this for the first time.'

"The high priest began by addressing my father first. His tone of voice resembled what I might expect to hear from a judge examining one guilty of a criminal offense. He said, 'We have brought you here to examine what has been reported as a miracle, supposedly wrought on this young man who claims to be your son. Is he truly your son?' My father replied in two words, 'He is.' Then as though he was not satisfied that my father was telling the truth, he turned to my mother and said, 'And you. Can you verify that this is your son?' In a clear voice, my mother replied, 'I brought him into this world, and have cared for him through all of his infancy, childhood and to the present. And because he was born blind, I still had to give him my assistance, even in his adult years.' The High Priest stated, 'So you are telling me for the record that he was, as he claimed, born blind.'
"Turning again to my father, he said, 'This is the report that has been brought to us from your house. Some of the people said the one who claimed to receive sight miraculously was another one, a beggar who resembled your son. But you are claiming as parents this man was blind and now sees. Is he truthfully your son?' As though that was not enough, the high priest turned to me and said, 'Tell us once more how this man Jesus performed this so-called miracle.' By now I knew that the High Priest did not like the man who had healed me. So I answered with an insult, and I must confess, I was confused and just a bit angry for all of this. I said, 'I have told you before, and you did not hear; why would you want to hear it again? Will you also be his disciples?'"

"You had the nerve to ask the High Priest if he was considering being a disciple of Jesus? If you only knew how much he hates Jesus, you would not have been so naive as to ask that question. He would put anyone out of the synagogue who dared say he was a disciple of Jesus."

"This I soon learned," remarked Ephraim calmly. "I could not refrain from asking if they knew of anyone who had restored sight to one born blind. And if this man Jesus had been able to do so, was it not evident that he was of God?"

"I am sure Caiaphas appreciated your saying this to him," Saul said. "What did he answer to that?"
"He told me I was born in sin, and had no right to lecture them like a teacher. Then he just motioned to the guards, and pointed to the exit. Before any more words were exchanged, they had taken me by the arms and escorted me to the exit and cast me down the steps," Ephraim replied.
"I am sorry," said Saul. If the man was not exaggerating, this treatment could hardly have been worthy of the work of the Temple. "Have you told the friends and neighbors how you were treated at this hearing?"

"I have not tried to advertise it, but I cannot refrain from answering those who ask about the hearing. Many saw the guards take me to Caiaphas, and naturally they wanted to know how he received me. I had to tell the people I had been cast out, and was forbidden to enter."
"Because Jesus healed you?" asked Jephuneh.

"Not so much that, but because of what I had said. I told them what I really believed and that Jesus could not have restored my sight in his own power. He had to possess the power of God before he could manifest such a miracle. They said Jesus was a sinner because first of all he had healed me on the Sabbath. When I left the Council, I could hear the leaders engaged in an argument over whether Jesus was a sinner, or one sent of God. There seemed to be no neutral ground. He was either the One he claimed to be, or he was a deceiver."

"And as such, doing certain things with sorcery," remarked Saul. "Do you know much about magic?"

"What?" Ephraim asked. "Because he used clay, you think there was some magic in it? You can't say there was any virtue or power in the clay," Ephraim remarked.

"How can you say this?" Saul asked.

"Because he has healed other blind men. Some he just touched, and others where he simply spoke the word."

"I think we have heard enough," Saul said.

"Thank you Ephraim," Jephuneh said.

Saul and Shallum and Jephuneh bade farewell to Ephraim and his parents and turned back to the upper part of the city. "How do we report this to Caiaphas?" Shallum asked.

"We simply say the man believes he witnessed a miracle. He is telling this to many people. He believes Jesus is sent of God. Numbers of people are believing him, and becoming followers of Jesus. Only decisive action can stop this deception from spreading," Saul answered.

"I told you, Jephuneh," Shallum said. "Saul will know what to say to Caiaphas. I have already told Caiaphas that Saul is a strong leader in Israel and we need him to help us."