SAUL & ESROM CHAPTER NINETEEN - Page 2

SOON ENOCH'S REPORT about Jesus restoring life to Jairus' daughter in Galilee became overshadowed by a spectacular event much closer to home. Reports began racing through the city that Jesus had called Lazarus from a tomb in which he had lain dead for four days. The thing had happened before many witnesses, not north in Galilee, but a stone's throw from Jerusalem in Bethany. Much too close for the comfort of the Sanhedrin, especially at Passover time. Many Jews from Jerusalem had seen this miracle, and a large number of them had become open believers in Jesus as a result. Saul and his reform-minded Pharisees were nearly beside themselves to put an end to it.

In the days to follow, Saul came and went from home, always in a hurry, with few words exchanged between himself and the others. Meanwhile, Esrom and Miriam took a walk to Bethany to see Lazarus for themselves. When they returned Esrom was surprised to be suddenly confronted by an angry Saul.

"I saw you in Bethany today," he said, in an accusing tone. "I suppose you were there to see Jesus' accomplice. Well, I was there too, but on business for Caiaphas." This was the first time that Saul had openly mentioned his association with the High Priest.

"Did you see Lazarus then, or speak with him?"

"No," replied Saul icily. "I was not interested in seeing him, or his sisters who claimed he had died. Caiaphas wanted a reliable report on what the people were saying. He wanted to know if any of the priests or officers of the Temple were caught up in this hysteria, and what their attitude might be. And of course, he is interested in the number of people who are going to see Lazarus, and what type of report they are taking away with them."

"What were you able to tell him?"

"I told him the great majority who saw this man Lazarus, and especially those who spoke with him and his sisters, were convinced he had died, and had been resurrected, and were fully convinced that Jesus could only do this through the power of God. I told Caiaphas that unless he could stop such rumors as this, and stop them quickly, all Jerusalem would become believers in Jesus. One of the leaders who works closely with Caiaphas interrupted my report saying, 'It looks as though the whole world is going to become followers of Jesus.' One of our own priests then said that Jesus was performing true miracles, and Caiaphas lost his composure. Rightly so. He said, and I agree, 'Jesus must die!'"

To Saul's surprise Esrom showed no emotion at this announcement. "And what did the priest reply?" Esrom asked.

Saul was unprepared to reply, still puzzled by Esrom's calmness. He could not restrain his curiosity. He wanted to probe deeper. "Have you heard Jesus speak lately?"

"Not lately. But He is the talk of the city. With so many arriving for Passover, his name is mentioned by almost everyone attending the feast. Most have been asking, 'Will he attend this year?'"

"I suppose he has heard that Caiaphas wants to kill him," said Saul coldly, "and he is hiding again."

"He is not hiding from anyone."

Saul was truly surprised at this reply. "How can you say that?"

"Because he has been telling us that the end of his work in near."

"And what will he do? Cleanse the Temple with a mob this time? Has he an army of zealot assassins at his disposal big enough to take over from Herod and Rome and the Sanhedrin?"

"I don't think so. He does not fear death because he knows he will die. He came to suffer and die, as the prophets said. I recall the threat on his life that was made by Herod Antipas. When word was brought to Jesus that Herod would kill him if he did not leave his district, Jesus replied, 'Go and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.' See? He did not fear death. When he said perfected, Saul, he meant he would have finished his work, or reached his goal. But as far as Herod or Caiaphas killing him, Jesus knows that with or without them, he is to be killed in Jerusalem. That is why he added the statement, 'O Jerusalem, that killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and you would not."

"How can any man make such a statement? That is blasphemy!"

"He made it because he is not an ordinary man, Saul. And it would be blasphemy if he was."

"Then you are telling me he is Messiah?"

"I am quoting only what he says about himself, words that you are familiar with, Saul."

"Then he should die for those words," Saul retorted with anger.

"And he will die," answered Esrom in a soft voice, more to himself than to Saul.

"What has happened to you? You sound as though you favor his dying, Esrom."

"I do."

Saul rose abruptly to his feet and began pacing. Then in a more conciliatory tone, he stopped in front of Esrom, and said, "I am totally bewildered. The more I listen to your comments about this man Jesus, the more confused I become. You and my sister Miriam both contend he is a good man who does much good, such as healing the sick, and as much as it pains me to hear myself say it, you suggest this Galilean could even be the Messiah. Now, you tell me this self-appointed Messiah, whom you consider a friend, will be killed, and you sound as though you favor it. Can you blame me for having a measure of confusion?"

Esrom smiled. "I do not blame you. I understand why you are confused."

Saul threw up his hands, totally exasperated. Dropping into a chair, he said, "Esrom, let us start once more at the beginning of this conversation that seems to be taking us nowhere. I began by saying Caiaphas believes Jesus is a blasphemer because he claims to be the Son of God, and, well, let's be frank, because he claims to be the promised Messiah. He is not the first to make such a claim. Others who have dared to suggest such, died, and according to our law, blasphemy of that nature deserves punishment of death. So, for two reasons Caiaphas says Jesus must die. First because of his blasphemy, and second because each day more people are joining the ranks of those who believe in him, threatening the true faith. Would you say, Esrom, that we are clear to this point?"

"I follow your reasoning, or the reasoning of Caiaphas, which is yours now. I follow very easily."

"This brings me to my next question, apparently more difficult for me to answer. When I tell you this morning that Caiaphas says Jesus must die, you do not seem disturbed."

"Because I'm not disturbed."

"You actually favor his death. Why don't you help us do it?"

"You insult me deeply. I would do nothing of the kind."

"How can you be his friend if you approve his dying?"

"Saul, it is because Jesus favors his own death."

"Are you inferring these threats do not disturb him?"

"When Herod threatened his life, Jesus simply said, 'I will stay in Herod's territory until my work is through.' He did not seem disturbed by Herod."

"You say his work is almost through, that the great fulfillment is near. I am at a loss, Esrom, what you mean by this? Be more specific. Why are you so sure his work is nearly finished? And why do you favor his death? Only a few hours ago, Caiaphas talked about killing him. We may be perilously close to everything you desire, whether you know it or not. So, speak up."

"Caiaphas is not the first to talk about killing Jesus, Saul. Do you suggest that his father-in-law Annas said this before Caiaphas?"

Saul became pensive and spoke slowly. "Annas is more of the law than his son-in-law who seems to do little except what his father-in-law or Rome, desires." Then under his breath, Saul muttered, "Rome, Caiaphas, Annas--they are almost one and the same."

"Caiaphas has been the 15th High Priest in the past 65 years. High Priests have held office on an average of little more than four year periods. We all know how Caiaphas has survived in office for much longer than his predecessors. As long as Annas keeps control of the profits from the money changers' tables, and gives the Romans sufficient bribes, he will stay in office. I understand you, Saul. Yes, I can understand your saying you heard Jesus would die, if old Annas mentioned this to one of your group who passed the word on to you. No, Saul, you are wrong in surmising it was Annas. He is not the first to speak of Jesus' death. Jesus himself said he would soon die."

Saul looked at him blankly. "You are toying with me."

"No, I am not. It was Jesus."

"Jesus?" Saul's voice rose to the highest pitch of emotion since the discussion began. "You heard him say he would die?"

"No, I heard it from his disciples."

Once more, Saul was much too disturbed to remain seated. He paced in great turmoil.

Esrom studied the face of his brother-in-law, his wrinkled brow, and noticed the heavy breathing from his pent-up emotion. Esrom sensed that deep in Saul's heart there was a conviction that in opposing Jesus, even if it meant taking his life, he was stopping a deceiver and upholding the law of God.

"Do Jesus' disciples favor his dying?" Saul asked.

"No. Peter, the fisherman was very opposed to the suggestion, and he told Jesus so very loudly, or so I am told."

Saul knew Esrom had appointments at the Temple. Saul himself had promised to meet with Caiaphas. But as urgent as it was for him to leave, he could not bear the thought of ending their conversation without asking one more all-important question. "Why would Jesus choose to die?"

Esrom sensed that this might well be his last opportunity to explain to Saul why he and Miriam believed Jesus was the promised One. "When Jesus entered his public ministry, Saul, John the Baptist announced him as the Lamb of God to take away the sins of the world. In making that announcement, John believed that Jesus was compared to a sacrificial lamb who would offer himself as a sacrifice, so that hundreds of thousands of sheep and lambs would no longer be required. Once and for all, Jesus would be God's accepted sacrifice for man's sins, and not for the Jewish people only, but for all. Solomon had stated at the dedication of the Temple when they offered 120,000 sheep as sacrifice on that occasion, 'There was not a just man on the earth that sinneth not.' This is why John the Baptist said of Jesus, 'Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.' Jesus was familiar with the words of the prophets that spoke of the One who would come as a sin offering, likened to a sacrificial lamb. You, too, Saul, are familiar with the words of Isaiah, who was inspired to describe the One who was coming, who would be 'led as a lamb to the slaughter . . . cut off from the land of the living . . . an offering for sin . . . bearing the transgressions of many.'"

"And you think Jesus sees himself this way?"

"It fits everything he has said and done. Yes, Saul, but much more, infinitely more than that."

Saul knit his brows, and the deep lines in his forehead reflected his distress and bewilderment. If Jesus was choosing death as a sacrificial lamb, what could be greater? In a distressed tone, Saul asked, "In your opinion, what could be greater than choosing to die?"

"Choosing to live again!" Esrom quickly replied.