SAUL THE PERSECUTOR CHAPTER TWENTY - Page 1

IN THE TWO days following the heated discussion between Esrom and Saul, many things happened in Jerusalem. Jesus had answered everyone's questions about coming to Passover. He had come, and his entrance into Jerusalem on a simple donkey had caused a near riot. Just yesterday, at the Temple, he had once again attacked the money changers, destroying their booths. Saul was nowhere to be found and Esrom and Miriam knew that much conspiring was taking place behind the scenes, with Caiaphas and Annas running the operation. Surely these two were furious, since the Temple had been targeted again, and especially since the Temple market had been disrupted at the time of its greatest profit taking.

From the window of Hulda's house, Miriam saw two men approaching. "Esrom, messengers from the Temple," she whispered.

"They have probably come for Saul," he replied, under his breath.

With trepidation he answered the knock on the door.

One of the men asked, "Might this be the residence of Saul? We would like to speak with him."

"He is not here at present, but we are expecting him soon. Would you like to wait here for him."

"No, thank you," the man replied. The two men turned away and left, seeming very preoccupied with their own business.

Esrom was surprised that they did not know Saul's whereabouts. When he had shut the door, the tension seemed to suddenly overwhelm Miriam. She sat down and began to weep. "I love my brother, but it is all so tragic now. I wish I were in Tarsus. We were raised there, loving the law and the prophets, and we still do. We were taught to believe that God's presence rested on the tabernacle in the wilderness, and I still believe that. And as far as the worship in the Temple, we both participate still, you and I. But so much has happened since we moved to Jerusalem, so much." She buried her head and wept.

Esrom stood at her side with a comforting hand on her shoulder. After a spell of crying she dried her tears, saying, "To think that Saul has fallen under the evil spell of Caiaphas is more than I can bear, Esrom. Saul knows he is corrupt, and it is so unlike him to align himself with someone of such character. We must believe that God will hear our prayers and lead my brother from this darkness to the light of truth."

Esrom replied, "Caiaphas and Annas are blinded by their hatred of Jesus. They know they have lost the love and respect of the people, yet they see the followers of Jesus increasing daily. The priests know the people reject them for corrupting the Temple with their money changers and merchants. This is why so many praised Jesus when he alone dared to overturn the tables. He said they had changed the Temple into a den of thieves. I agree. When the people shouted 'hosanna,' I could not join them. I looked at Jesus and his face was bathed in tears. He said the real truth was hidden from their eyes. They wanted to crown him king, but it is clear that he has come to save them from their sins."

Miriam smiled up at him through her tears, nodding her agreement.

"The prophets have longed to see and hear what we have seen and heard," Esrom said. "Isn't he wonderful?"

"More than wonderful," Miriam sighed, drying her tears.

They looked at one another and tears now filled Esrom's eyes too. "He is finishing his mission," he whispered, "the Passover lamb is about to be sacrificed."

Miriam stood and hugged her husband. Both of them feeling the terrible collision of the true and false kingdoms in Jerusalem.

Esrom spoke. "When he entered the city, wasn't it wonderful?"

"So wonderful," Miriam agreed, "that all I could do was shout with the people 'Hosanna, Hosanna, blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.'"

"'Blessed be the kingdom of our father David,'" Esrom added, his eyes closed in memory.

"'Hosanna in the highest.' But you know, Miriam, most of those who were shouting with us were certain that Jesus, who had just demonstrated his power over death, would now exercise that power over Rome. Some of them thought they could become soldiers who would die in battle and be raised by Jesus to fight again until all of Rome fell before the army of Israel. I know they were thinking that. They want to see him establish the throne of David, and restore the kingdom. And you know, Miriam, I think the Essenes have something, I believe that is going to happen one day. But not in this day, if I understand correctly what I see happening."

"But you were right with them, Esrom. You were shouting, Blessed be the King!"

"No, I was not," Esrom contradicted. "I wasn't, because I looked at Jesus, and he was weeping. Many people saw it too, but did not know how to act."

"They thought he wept for joy at all of his marvelous reception."

"But we know better than that. No, he was weeping for sorrow. It was not strange to me, because I was near enough to hear what he said, and it confirmed all the terrible truth that has been coming to me lately. He said, 'If you had known, at least in this your day, the things which belong unto your peace! But now they are hid from your eyes."

They were both silent for a time, absorbing the awesome moment of history they were living in. Esrom resumed speaking. "I remember hearing Jesus teach at--I believe it was at Caesarea Philippi, where he said, 'The Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; then he shall reward every man according to his works.' That is when I began to see that the prophecies of the kingdom, which everyone desires to see fulfilled right now, will some day be finally and totally fulfilled. He confirmed that truth this very morning in Jerusalem when he said, 'When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit on the throne of his glory; and before him shall be gathered all nations.' Jesus is telling us that a time is coming when he will not enter Jerusalem on a humble donkey.

Miriam remained deeply thoughtful for a while. "Esrom, do you think that Jesus sees himself as the Messiah described by Isaiah, when he said he would be 'despised and rejected,' and led as 'a lamb for slaughter' as a sin offering, and returning later to rule at God's appointed time?"
"Yes, I am confident of this," Esrom replied.

Miriam felt privileged to have her husband reveal so much of the meaning of the scriptures concerning the Messiah. Though every thought of Jesus' possible death filled her with pain and fear, she took comfort in knowing that God's purposes were for salvation, not destruction. "If scripture foretells his death," she said, "then we must remember Lazarus, and Jairus' daughter, and the son of the widow of Nain. Surely his power over death will also be seen, as he has promised."