SAUL & THE CRUCIFIXION CHAPTER TWENTY ONE- Page 1

JESUS AND HIS disciples approached Jerusalem along the dusty road leading from Bethany. They moved in the faint glow of predawn. The Lord had withdrawn to Bethany after the turbulence he had caused earlier in the week. In the span of three days he had entered the city with throngs of people, had attacked the money changers in the gentile court of the Temple, and had delivered disturbing prophecies of the complete destruction of Jerusalem. He had also predicted his future return at the end of the age. News of his teachings and actions had run back and forth through the city like ripples from a stone thrown in the Pool of Siloam. Almost every household had divided opinions, and even genuine controversy.

At nearby Bethany, the Lord and his disciples had lodged in the home of Simon, a former leper who had been cleansed by the power of Jesus. Judas Iscariot, treasurer for the group, had remained briefly behind in Jerusalem on business of his own. Then he had joined the others that evening. The disciples were filled with an unusual amount of tension. They knew that as Jesus approached Jerusalem he was walking deliberately into a death trap. Peter had even hidden a sword beneath his tunic, ready to die if danger threatened his Lord.

As they walked, larks began to sing their wakeup songs from the fields beside the road. Rounding a bend along the shoulder of the Mount of Olives, they suddenly came into full view of the city. They paused to watch the first rays of sun paint Herod's Temple in hues of pink and gold. The beauty of the moment seemed to mock the turbulence that had begun to churn inside each of the disciples.
Peter moved closer to John, who kept the closest relationship to the Master. "Has Jesus said anything to you about where we may be eating Passover?"

John shook his head. "If he knows he has not informed me. I have been waiting for Him to give some guidance, but nothing yet. Judas keeps the money. Perhaps he has told him. I wanted to celebrate in less hostile territory. Why not Galilee? I asked him if He might even favor lingering there until after the Passover. We could have celebrated in our home, although your home is larger, Peter, we could have dined there, too. However, Jesus is so well known in Capernaum, the crowds might have made it impossible. He said this morning that he wants to spend his time today with the twelve of us, not with the crowds."

"Well, wherever it is to be observed," continued Peter, "we need to know so we can make preparations."

As he stood on the southern flank of Olivet, Jesus' expression seemed deeply sad. The disciples recalled with discomfort, his weeping on this spot as they had made their way with the ecstatic crowds earlier in the week.

But even with the somber mood, Peter could restrain himself no longer. "Have you given thought as to where we might eat the Passover, Master?"

John looked at James and frowned. It was so typical of Peter to have no sense of timing.

Jesus did not answer, but closed his eyes as if in prayer.

After a pause, Peter whispered, "Do you think he heard me?"

John raised his hand. He saw that Jesus was about to speak.

Without opening his eyes, Jesus said, "I want two of you to go into the city. You will meet a man carrying a pitcher of water there. Follow him, and when he reaches his home, say, 'Jesus would like to know where the guest chamber is, where he can eat the Passover with his disciples.'" Jesus opened his eyes and smiled in a kindly way. "He will show you a room, furnished and prepared."
No sooner had Jesus spoken than Peter was moving. "Let's go! John, come along."

Jesus remained with the other disciples watching these two men of contrasting personality, head for the inner city. Peter was much taller and was walking so quickly it was difficult for John to keep pace. Reaching the Golden Gate, they vanished into the huge Temple precinct.

Inside, the atmosphere changed from pastoral tranquility to businesslike bustle. Morning crowds of merchants, soldiers, pilgrims and Temple workers milled in every direction. The two crossed the court below Solomon's Porch where Peter stopped in bewilderment. "Who are we looking for?"
John looked at him and smiled. "A man with a water jug."

Peter nodded. "Oh, yes! Alright."

The two began walking again, looking in every direction.

Suddenly, Peter stopped again, restraining John with a strong forearm. "When have you ever seen a man in Jerusalem carrying a water jug? Men who go for water will normally carry a large skin-bag. Women go through the streets with water jugs balanced on their heads. I think we should go back and ask for better instructions, or some that make sense."

John smiled to himself. He was accustomed to Peter's impatience. "Just a little farther," he said.
They had gone no more than a dozen steps when Peter suddenly grabbed John by the arm. "There! Over there is a man with a water jug."

"Come! We will follow him."

They followed the man who led at a brisk pace. Soon they had crossed the city to its south end, near the palaces and residences of the wealthy. As they continued following, John could not resist poking a little fun at the big fisherman. "Peter?" he said.

"Yes?"

"If the Lord tells you to look for a man with a water jug again, what will you do?"

"I suppose I will look for the man without asking questions."

"Good. Do you remember when he called Nathaniel?"

"Yes." Peter recalled how Jesus told Nathaniel that he saw him under a fig tree long before their first meeting. "God shows our Master things that the rest of us cannot see, I suppose."

"How many times has he told us, 'I do nothing of myself, but I do what the father shows me'?"
Peter nodded solemnly. "Why do I not trust him completely?"

Entering a fine side street, the man led them toward an imposing home.

"Peter, I think I recognize this house. Have you heard of the man Barnabas? His father owned copper mines on the Isle of Cypress. This house belong to his sister Mary, who has long followed the Lord. I don't know her husband."

As they reached the entrance of the home, Peter and John held back, uncertain as to how to proceed. A young lad in his teens came running out of the door of the house. The man handed the water jug to his son, who strained to keep it upright as he hurried up the stairs.
At this moment, the father turned and saw Peter and John for the first time. "Can I help you?"
From the tone of his voice, it seemed the man was almost expecting them. Peter said, "Jesus of Nazareth has asked that you show us your guest chamber, where he may eat the Passover supper with us."

The man smiled broadly. "Follow me."

From the top of the stairs, John Mark called, "Father, let me ask mother if the guest room is ready."
His father paused and nodded with a smile. Then, turning to Peter and John, he said, "He is very excited that Jesus and the twelve will be here this evening for the Passover meal."

"Mother says everything is ready!" the boy called as they reached the bottom of the stairway.
The three of them climbed to an upper chamber where John Mark waited, obviously very proud of the provision his family had made for Jesus. They passed down a long hall to an open door.
"Here is the room," the man said. "As you can see, everything is prepared and waiting."

They looked and saw that it was indeed ready. The long table was set with thirteen places on snowy white linen. Grapes taken fresh from the vines had been pressed that very day, and the blood-red juice had been poured into sparkling containers. The smell of baking bread, roasting lamb and herbs drifted to them from the kitchen below. Everything in the room had been prepared, obviously, with great care.

"We will tell Jesus that all is ready," Peter said, his voice full of gratitude. "And thank you." He turned to go but John remained in the doorway.

"Sir," John said, "pardon us if we have failed to introduce ourselves. I am John and this is Peter."

"The Big Fisherman," young John Mark said excitedly. "I knew it."

"Pardon the boy's enthusiasm, nothing has affected him like having you as guests in this house. I am Eliud, his father, and I too share my son's enthusiasm." He looked from Peter to John with an expression of curiosity and wonder. "How must it feel to be chosen by him? You both have walked with him for these years, seeing just about everything he did."

John smiled sympathetically. He could sense that the man's awe reflected true reverence. "We are men, Eliud, quite unqualified for the task, I'm afraid. But he did choose us, didn't he? Who can say his purposes? But Eliud, may I ask you--" he glanced knowingly at Peter, "--is it quite normal for you to carry a water pitcher?"

Eliud laughed easily. "No. Most unusual. It is usually done by my wife Mary, or sometimes we have the servant Rhoda do it. But Mary and Rhoda both worked so late last night preparing the Passover meal, I volunteered to get the water this morning."

John nodded, and his eyes filled with wonder. "The Master knew all of that, Eliud. He saw you carrying the water pitcher before you even went for water. He told us we would find you with the water pot."

For a long moment no one spoke. Then, quietly they made their way down the stairs and to the front entrance. John Mark stood watching at the door, obviously enthralled. Peter playfully reached out and tousled his hair as he left the porch. John Mark turned and grinned up at his father, pleased to have won a moment of attention from the one everyone called The Big Fisherman. As the men vanished down the street, the boy asked, "Why do I have to keep it secret that Jesus is coming here tonight?"

"Because," Eliud answered, "since the resurrection of Lazarus, some very evil enemies have talked about killing both Jesus and Lazarus. It is very important to keep this a secret."

John Mark turned pale with fear at these words. He knew that the High Priests, Caiaphas and Annas, had formed the plot. But he wondered how someone as powerful as Jesus be in mortal danger. And if Jesus was in real danger from those bent on taking his life, what would keep them from breaking into their house with Jesus present? "But Father," he asked timidly, "how can it be kept secret? Jesus and his disciples are well known and they are openly walking the streets. People will see them when they come to our house."

"That is something we cannot control. We will do our part to keep things secret. The rest is in God's hands."

All day long, John Mark remained in his room, looking out of his window in the direction from which he knew Jesus and his disciples would be coming. As afternoon grew late, he became restless. He descended to the kitchen where the Passover food was being made ready. He watched his mother and Rhoda for a long time, realizing that everything they did had been instructed by Moses in Egypt nearly 1500 years previously. Rhoda was almost like a daughter to John Mark's mother. When Rhoda was a child, her mother had died, and her father had been killed in an accident in one of the copper mines of Cyprus owned by his Uncle Barnabas. At Barnabas' request, Mary had accepted Rhoda into her household. Since then, Rhoda had been happy to assist her as a servant. But she was much more than that, she was like one of the family.

The two women worked side by side, forming the round thin cakes known as unleavened bread, and baking them in the oven. They placed five kinds of bitter-tasting green plants in a large bowl to remind them of the bitter years in Egyptian bondage.

Suddenly footsteps sounded at the front door. John Mark raced to greet them. He arrived just as Eliud opened the door. Jesus stood there. John Mark saw the Master smile at his father, nod a greeting, and step into the room. It felt like a warm power had entered the house. John Mark's fear about scoundrels melted away. The other disciples came in, twelve in all. As Peter and John entered at the very last, John Mark saw Peter open his tunic and reveal a sword. John acknowledged it with a nod.

Meanwhile, Eliud had been so awed in the presence of the man who had seen him carrying the water pitcher, he nearly forgot his manners. He quickly moved to the stairwell. "Rabbi, please, right this way," he said.

Peter and John led the way up the familiar stairs. Peter seemed to be on the lookout for uninvited guests. Jesus waited at the bottom of the stair, motioning each of his disciples to ascend before him. Last of all, he went up.

Immediately the women were working with nervous excitement. The took the prepared servings from the kitchen, carrying them up the stairs and into the room. As Rhoda passed by him, John Mark could see that she was as excited as himself about Jesus and his disciples.
"I watched them come in," John Mark whispered, "and The Big Fisherman has a sword on his belt."
Rhoda nodded, her eyes flashing darkly. "Peter looks capable of taking care of himself, but if he has to face an organized group from the Temple, or Romans trained for combat, he is no match."

John Mark's talk with Rhoda ended with a signal from Eliud. The roasted lamb and other ceremonial foods were ready for serving. After completely serving the disciples, the family gathered in their own dining room to observe the meal together. When all the familiar feasting and recitations were done, John Mark made his way up to the second floor, pausing quietly outside the door where Jesus and his disciples were. He could hear Jesus saying, in a sad voice, "And one of you this night will betray me." He put his ear to the door and tried to hear more. How could one of his disciples betray the Master? Knowing that Jesus' life had been threatened, he felt a cold fear overwhelm him. Eventually he made out a command from Jesus; "What you are about to do, do quickly." Then a set of footsteps approached the door.

John Mark stepped away just as the door swung open into his face. A man emerged and shut the door behind him. John Mark watched as the disciple stood before him, breathing heavily, perspiring. He wiped the sweat from his brow. Not once did he notice the boy watching from the shadows just behind him. The man finally clutched his cloak around himself and hurried down the stairs.
John Mark ran quickly down the hallway to his bedroom. He went to his window and caught a final glimpse of the man walking briskly in the direction of the High Priest's house. Slowly and thoughtfully, John Mark put on his night clothes and crawled into bed. He lay staring at the ceiling and listening to every sound in the night. In the quietness of the room, he seemed to be hearing the sad voice of Jesus, saying again, One of you this night will betray me. In the darkness, he envisioned Peter again motioning to his sword. He saw again the dark form of the disciple leaving the guest room and running quickly down the street.

After a long time, he finally arose and crossed the room to the window. It was a warm night, and the moon was now bright, making the white buildings of the city seem almost ghostlike. There was a faint rumble from the streets below as some pilgrims who had been delayed on their journey to Jerusalem were arriving by cart, even at this late hour. There was no point in his trying to sleep.

Returning to the guest room door, he heard Jesus say something about Kidron, and the old olive press called Gethsemane. He knew the place, at the foot of the Mount of Olives, an area enclosed by a wall. Inside, great gnarled olive trees were old enough to have seen the days of the prophets. If this is where Jesus was planning to go with his disciples, what were they going to do there? The one word betray echoed in his mind. Suddenly, John Mark made up his mind. The events of this night were far too important to miss. He would go to the garden.

He hurried across the city to the Zion Gate, making his way across the Kidron. As he paused to catch his breath, and saw no one, he thought, Maybe I heard wrong. Jesus and his disciples may not even be coming here. And if they are, maybe it is just to relax. Maybe I am totally mistaken to think that his enemies may come to this quiet place to take him as part of their plot. He wondered if he should turn back. Looking up a dark army of clouds had moved across the sky, obscuring the moonlight and the familiar stars. Straining to see in the gloom, he caught a glimpse of the little group of men coming out of the Zion Gate, and his heart beat suddenly faster.

Waiting until they had passed, he recognized the form of Jesus and his disciples. He followed them as they made their way, speaking only in whispers. Lingering beneath the large trees along the path, he watched until they entered the garden, disappearing into the thick maze of shadows behind the wall.

Now he moved with stealth after them, hearing the sound of their voices. He had heard how they often came here to this garden seeking seclusion. A gentle breeze was now causing the leaves of the olive trees to rustle in the night air and John Mark found it difficult to determine what Christ was saying. He figured that Jesus must have told eight of his disciples to remain where they were, for he motioned to Peter, James and John to follow him.

As John Mark saw Jesus and these three move further into the garden he chose to risk following and moved with stealth behind the foliage, hoping to hear what Jesus was saying. For the moment there was a gentle breeze blowing down from the Mount of Olives, then quite suddenly, all grew still.

"My soul is very sorrowful," he heard Jesus say, "even unto death: tarry here and watch with me." And having said that, Jesus went even farther into the garden.

The pale moon had at this hour emerged from the dark clouds hanging low over Jerusalem. As the moonbeams filtered through the heavy foliage of the olive trees Mark could see the lone figure of Jesus moving away from the three disciples whom he had asked to remain where they were, and pray. John Mark chose once more to follow Jesus.

Finally, at a lonely spot beyond the others, he saw the Master drop to his knees. John Mark held his breath as he witnessed Jesus turning his face toward the heavens. "Abba Father," Jesus cried, "everything is possible with you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine."

As Jesus made this cry to the heavenly Father, there came a strange light into this darkened place in the garden. It seemed to be moving through the trees and Mark looked up to see that the clouds had once again covered the moon. Squinting at the moving light, he thought that perhaps someone was approaching with a torch. But soon he knew otherwise; the light was not coming from a torch but from a creature that glowed, moving through the trees and shrubs, which offered no resistance to its luminous presence. He shivered, not from the cool night air but from terror at the realization that he might be in the presence of a divine being. His mind flashed back to Peter's description of recent events on a mountaintop, when Jesus had been transfigured before his eyes, and Moses and Elijah had appeared, as if from another world.

The light came and stood directly in front of Jesus, illuminating his agonized face. Covering his eyes in fear, Mark whispered, "It can only be one thing. It must be an angel." Was it coming to give Jesus strength to endure? Even in that glow of divine light, Mark saw on Jesus' brow what appeared to be beads of sweat, but the droplets seemed deep red in color, and could be nothing less than drops of blood. When the angelic presence vanished, Mark lay weak with fear of what he had witnessed. He wondered, would he suddenly awaken and find that he was home in his room? If this experience was real, why was it that he was allowed to be the sole witness?

Convinced that he was awake and not dreaming, John Mark remained motionless for another hour with his eyes fixed most of the time on the form of Jesus bowed in prayer. Then suddenly Jesus stood to his feet and walked quickly to the place where he had left the disciples. Mark saw that all three of them had fallen into a sound sleep.

Twice more this scene was repeated with Jesus going on farther to pray and returning to find his disciples asleep. On the third return to his sleeping men Jesus said, "Are you still sleeping and resting? The time has now come! I am betrayed into the hands of evil men . . . Here comes my betrayer."

Now wide awake and clenching the handle of his sword, Peter cried out, "It is Judas!"
"It is," John agreed in a hoarse whisper.

Each disciple recalled how that at the Passover meal earlier in the evening Jesus said the one who would betray him was partaking of the supper with them. He had gazed directly into Judas' face and had said, "What you do, do quickly." The others had assumed that Jesus had dispatched him on some official errand. Only now did they put the two statements together and realize that it was Judas who was the betrayer.

John recalled that a dark expression had transformed the face of Judas in the moment that Jesus had told him to act quickly. It had been a look so horrible that he had assumed that perhaps Judas had become sick. Now, recalling his expression again, and the way he had bolted from the room, he could only say that Judas was a devil, and Satan had literally possessed him to do this deed.
"It is all clear now," Peter said fiercely. "He has made a bargain with the chief priests and has led them to the garden where they can capture him by night."

Now all of the disciples huddled together and stood frozen with fear at the sight of Judas approaching with the chief priests and elders. With them were the fully armed Temple Guard with Malchus, the captain of the guard. These were accompanied by a mob of rabble carrying torches, clubs and crude weapons including knives and spears.

In his hiding place Mark was now so weak with fear he seemed powerless to move. Nor did the disciples make any effort at this instant. As if playing out an elaborate ritual, Judas said to Malchus, "The one I kiss is the one you must seize and not let him get away." Then Judas moved toward Jesus, reaching out his arms as though he would embrace him in a friendly fashion. "Peace be to you, Teacher." And he embraced Jesus, and kissed him.

Jesus looked directly into the eyes of Judas and asked, "Is it with a kiss, Judas, that you betray the Son of Man?"

Seeing this, Peter cast caution aside. He leapt forward with the naked blade of the sword shining in the light of the torches, and turning to his Master, shouted, "Lord, shall I strike with my sword?" Even before Jesus could reply, the big fisherman confronted the chief captain. Malchus, trained in the art of warfare, sought to shield himself from the blow, but Peter's move was too swift and his blade cut off the man's ear.

Blood spurted from the wound and the members of the guard cried out in dismay. They would have immediately overcome Peter had Jesus not moved suddenly between Peter and Malchus, placing his hand on the wounded man's head. The guards gasped with amazement as they, along with the entire company, witnessed a miracle. Malchus' ear was restored.
Mark could hear the comments of the soldiers saying, "He healed him! He just touched the captain's ear and healed him!"

Turning to Peter, Jesus said in tender tones, "Put your sword back in the sheath, Peter. They that live by the sword shall perish by the sword. Don't you know that I could call on my Father for help, and at once he would send me more than twelve armies of angels? But if I should do that, how could the scriptures be fulfilled that says it must happen this way?"

For a brief moment there was silence. The chief priests and elders that had come with Judas seemed shaken at this display of Christ's power. Even the mob for the moment stared in silence. What would happen next?

It was Jesus who broke the silence. Moving closer to Malchus whom he had healed, and raising his voice so that it echoed through the garden, he asked in a voice of clear authority, "Who are you seeking?"

"Jesus of Nazareth," they replied.

"I am he," Jesus replied.

The moment he said, "I am he," the soldiers drew back in such haste, they stumbled over one another and fell to the ground. The high priests turned pale. They had been forced to acknowledge that Jesus had power even over death, and had restored to life such as Lazarus even after he had been dead four days. The priests that were present may have recalled how the soldiers of old came to take the prophet Elijah and fire came down and consumed them.

As the soldiers held back, Jesus turned to the high priests and elders who had come to take him, and he said, "Why have you come with a mob and soldiers with swords and spears to take me prisoner as a thief? I was with you every day in the temple teaching, and you did not lay hold on me there. But this is your hour and the power of darkness is allowed to reign.

So enthralled was Mark with what he was witnessing, he was not aware of a shadowy figure moving through the foliage directly behind him. Suddenly he felt the grip of a strong hand on his shoulder. Color drained from his face. Turning to see his captor, he found himself looking into the face of a temple guard twice his age, and much more powerful.

With a taunting laugh, the guard said, "So, I have caught you prying to see what we will do with your Teacher." Reaching for his dagger, he said with a leering smile, "Look at him now, for you will not live to see more than what you see this moment."

As he raised the dagger to strike Mark with a fatal blow, Mark breathed a prayer and felt a surge of strength that enabled him to break the grasp of his captor. As he lunged forward, the guard dropped the dagger and reached with both hands to take hold of Mark. But he caught only his clothing. Mark had not dressed for public appearance and was able to shed the loose sheet of linen that he had hurriedly wrapped around him before leaving his room. Being young and very athletic, Mark darted through the trees, daring to glance back at the temple guard who was cursing loudly as he held only the linen cloth of the youth who had eluded him.

When John Mark had put a safe distance between himself and the garden, he stopped, sides heaving as he gulped air into his burning lungs. Looking back, he saw the soldiers leading Jesus onto the road toward the city. He knew they would be taking him under the cover of darkness to Caiaphas and Annas, who were the chief instigators of the plot.

Now John Mark's greatest concern was where and how he could find shelter. How could he return home, naked as he was, without exposing himself on the crowded streets? Suddenly the thought flashed through his mind that Joel, the son of Esrom, lived in the large home which had belonged to Miriam's Aunt Hulda. John Mark knew the house and family well. Esrom's son Joel was about his own age, and would have some clothes that would fit him. Esrom's home would be much easier to reach than his own, and it was fortunate that he knew some of the narrow alleyways to get there.

He worked his way toward Esrom's home. As he did, he realized that there would be only the final lap of his journey when he would have to run across an open stretch. He was grateful that it was still dark. The first touch of gray was beginning to show on the eastern horizon as he arrived at the door of Esrom's home. Rather breathlessly, John Mark knocked so loud it echoed to the floor above where Esrom slept. Because of the Passover activities, Esrom had already risen and dressed, and was startled at the violent knocking. Opening the shutters, he peered down toward the entrance, and then said to Miriam, "You can't believe what I am seeing. There is some lad totally naked standing there. It must be someone who has escaped from the asylum."

John Mark heard the shutters open. He called, "Esrom! Esrom! I am John Mark, a friend of Joel's. I am John Mark, Mary's son."

Esrom hurried down the stairs to open the door to his unusual visitor.

Still panting for breath, John Mark said, "They came to the garden, Esrom, and took Him. I saw them lead Him away. The mob--and there were soldiers from the fortress of Antonia, and also the Temple Guard."

"Before you tell me more, we must get some clothing of Joel's for you," Esrom said. And even as he was speaking, Miriam arrived with a cloak.

As he put it on, Esrom sought to calm John Mark. He asked him to speak more slowly.
"I am sure you knew Jesus and his disciples had the Passover Supper at our house," John Mark explained.

Esrom nodded.

"Well, I stood outside of the door of their banquet room and heard Jesus say one would betray him this night. I saw one leave the table and hurry down the stairs, and out into the night. When Jesus finally left with his disciples, Esrom, I decided to follow. I followed them to Gethsemane, you know, across the Kidron, the old garden with the olive press."

Again Esrom nodded.

John Mark had become more composed. Slowly, he described in detail each incident that he had witnessed prior to his escape. By this time, Miriam and Hulda, and of course Joel, were all listening with intense interest and concern to all that John Mark was telling them.

"Now you must hurry home and inform your parents," Esrom said. "By this time I am sure that Jesus may still be held at the home of Caiaphas, for they would undoubtedly take him there first, and seek to confirm charges against Him. I will go there immediately."

"May I go with you, Father?" asked Joel.

"No, Joel. I feel you must stay with your mother. Hulda is not well and Miriam must care for her.

They may need you here. What is more, we cannot tell with the arrest of Jesus how rapidly the news will spread, and what reaction may follow. Remember it was only five days ago the whole city of Jerusalem was echoing to the shouts of Hosanna! Blessed is the Son of David."

Meanwhile, John Mark made his way back home. He woke his parents and confessed to them what he had done, and all that he had witnessed.

Esrom, in the meantime, arrived at the house of Caiaphas in time to accompany the crowd accompanying Jesus to the Tower of Antonia, to be questioned by the Roman Procurator, Pilate.
Then the group moved on to the palace of Herod, and back again to Pilate.

As events unfolded, he stopped briefly at his home to inform Miriam, Joel and Hulda that Pilate, willing to please the people, had ordered his crucifixion! "Even now," said Esrom, "they are on their way to Golgotha. I will hurry now, and follow the crowd."

With tear-filled eyes, Miriam watched Esrom hurry down the steps and start running toward the road leading to Golgotha. The agony in her heart ran along with him. But she would stay behind to care for Hulda. Besides, could she actually allow her eyes to behold the Lord in his death?

The morning hours seemed endless as she paced the house, unable to relax. Hulda assured her that she would be able to take care of herself if she wished to leave, but Miriam remained.

By noon the sky grew unusually dark. Miriam turned to Hulda. "We must have Joel light the lamps." Anxiously she stood at the window looking up at the sky. She saw no storm clouds. "I can't explain this. There is a deepening darkness over all the city. I wonder if it is local, or generally growing dark over the entire land? I wish Esrom would return."

By two o'clock the darkness had deepened even more. Miriam noticed the lamps had been lit in all the homes below them. By three o'clock there was still no sign of Esrom.

"Should I go in search of Father?" Joel asked.

Silently, her eyes filled with fear, Miriam nodded.

With his mother's permission to leave, Joel made his way carefully through the dark streets. The great company of people that had gathered at Golgotha to witness the crucifixion now returned from the site. Joel could hear snatches of conversation about the unusual happenings there. Even more seemed alarmed at the darkness that now, in the middle of the afternoon, had become like night.
On reaching the gate of the city, Joel looked in the direction of Golgotha. He saw no more people coming, and concluded everyone must have returned from the scene. Realizing he could well have missed seeing his father in the darkness, he decided to return home.

Approaching the house nervously, he wondered, What if he still is not here? The enemies of Jesus know that my father and mother, and Aunt Hulda, are believers in Jesus. Some may have seen and recognized my father at Golgotha, and taken him prisoner.

With a great sigh of relief, he heard his father's voice as he entered the house. Esrom was engaged in describing to Miriam and Aunt Hulda what had taken place. They had been growing anxious about Joel's failure to return as promptly as they expected, and stopped to tell Joel so.

For Joel's sake, Esrom commenced once more at the beginning of his report. "I was correct," he said, "in my assumption that after taking Jesus from the garden, they had brought him directly to the homes of the high priests Annas and Caiaphas. They had extra guards stationed at the gate, and were only allowing those they could identify to enter the courtyard."

"I can remember," said Hulda, in a voice frail with age, "when Caiaphas wanted to marry the daughter of Annas. She would only consent if he would occupy a home adjoining her father, and share responsibilities with him."

Esrom nodded. "Satisfied with my identity, I was allowed to enter. Caiaphas had called for the scribes and elders to gather at his home. Old Annas joined his son-in-law to hear charges. Many had been gathered at the request of the priest, who said they could testify against Him, but their charges were too foolish and exaggerated to be taken seriously. Annas was becoming impatient, and his son-in-law was visibly disturbed. He had told his assistants to select as witnesses only those who could offer some reasonable accusations that would incriminate Jesus. Many had agreed to come, but on arrival, when asked what they would say, they had to be dismissed as worthless. Annas seemed disgusted. Caiaphas had assured him that he would have sufficient evidence to prove Jesus guilty of blasphemy, which according to Jewish law was a crime greater than murder, and called for punishment by death. Annas had emphasized to Caiaphas that he hoped for a brief hearing, a speedy conviction, followed with Roman approval and execution as quickly as possible. To fail so badly at this very first stage of the hearing could be disastrous.'

"Finally one of Caiaphas' men found two witnesses worth hearing. The crowd seemed restless, and Caiaphas raised his hand for silence. Both claimed that Jesus had said, 'I am able to destroy the Temple and build it in three days.' But such an extreme statement could not be taken seriously. The High Priest realized he could not condemn Jesus on this evidence alone. Finally, in desperation, the High Priest commanded Jesus, 'I adjure thee by the living God that you tell us whether you are the Christ, the Son of God.' And Jesus replied, 'You have said, nevertheless, I say unto you, Hereafter you shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.'"

Hulda, though frail in body, had been listening intently with a keen mind. "Those words of Jesus' should not seem strange to the High Priest. Who has not read the words of Daniel in Babylon, 'Behold one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven . . . and there was given him, dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom shall not be destroyed.'" "Exactly," Esrom agreed. "Every scribe and ruler present, knew that the prophets portray two images of the Messiah; one, a warrior like David, who like a Maccabee, would defeat Gentile powers and establish an earthly kingdom. The other picture of the Messiah, portrayed by Isaiah and others, shows a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief, a suffering servant. Still, at an early age, Daniel in his captivity, told the king that the God of heaven would set up a kingdom that would never be destroyed. It would be a kingdom not be left to other generations, but ruled over by God Himself, forever.' Jesus seems to be promising us that he is both of these Messiahs. But today, He died, and the Temple authorities are convinced that will be the end of him. They only like to envision a Messiah with invincible armies defeating other nations and subduing them.'
"But we must hold to Christ's own words today," Esrom continued thoughtfully. "He declared that he came now as a sin offering, to bring an end to the endless sacrificing of animals, which he said were symbolic of the true sacrifice that must come. He came to atone for man's sin and to lay down his life and rise again, proving he had overcome death. There are many prophecies given that apply very directly to what we have seen and heard these days. When these momentous events are viewed more clearly in a few days, we must compare them in more detail with what the prophets have said." Esrom arose, saying, "Now I will go to the Temple and hear what is being said by our leaders."

When Esrom arrived at the entrance to the Court of the Gentiles, he met their old friend Nicodemus, who was just leaving. After greeting him, Nicodemus replied, "I have been here for the past three hours and the conversations are still going on about the great mystery of the Temple veil."
"Veil?"

"The Temple veil. At noon today, of its own accord, it suddenly tore apart from top to bottom. Annas and Caiaphas both came to see for themselves. They left their home the moment word reached them, but in the strange darkness over the city, they were delayed in arriving. The priests who were in the Temple at noon said as the sky became dark, the entire Temple began to tremble and shake. They wondered if it were only the Temple, but some came running in from the outside saying the whole city was shaking, and they sought shelter in the Temple. One of the priests who was with those who gathered around Caiaphas said he didn't know which trembled more, the Temple, or Caiaphas, who stood staring at the veil. For a few moments, he just stood, his eyes fixed on it. Because it was still dark, he asked if it were possible to get lamps to shed a little more light on it. That was not easy. The veil was 60 feet high. One priest who had been on the scene when it happened told Caiaphas, it was just as if suddenly two powerful hands tore the Veil asunder. Caiaphas said it must have been the earthquake that caused it. But the priest who had observed it happen said, 'No, this took place just before the earthquake struck. And even as we stood here while the Temple was shaking, everything became dark.'"

Esrom felt a new wave of excitement concerning Jesus. In light of this powerful evidence, surely he would rise again. He asked his friend to come to his house and share these tidings with Miriam and Hulda. Nicodemus agreed, and the two returned to Esrom's home.

Upon arriving there, they found Hulda reclining in her favorite chair, with her scriptures opened and a writing table before her. She was overjoyed when she learned Nicodemus was with Esrom. "I have made notation of some of the prophecies that were made about the life and death of the Messiah," said Hulda. "I would appreciate your allowing me to read some of the statements which have impressed me. Shall I commence with his coming only a few days ago, when he entered the city on a donkey surrounded by thousands? They welcomed him as the Son of David, and with loud shouts of 'Hosanna, Blessed is the King.' Could Zechariah have seen this when he wrote almost five centuries ago, 'Rejoice O Daughter of Zion; Shout aloud, O Daughter of Jerusalem: behold, your king comes unto you, he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass.'"
Nicodemus nodded his thoughtful approval. "I can see it."

"I have heard that Judas approached the High Priest about betraying Jesus for the sum of 30 pieces of silver. Is that correct?"

Again Nicodemus nodded.

"Did the prophet Zechariah see this when he wrote, 'So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver?"

Esrom added, "When John Mark was hiding in the garden he told how Judas led the mob coming to take Jesus, and when he came forward, Jesus addressed him as "friend." Did David see this scene when he wrote, "My own familiar friend . . . which did eat my bread, has lifted up his heel against me?"

Esrom went on to tell how Jesus had remained silent before Pilate, while being accused. Pilate had asked, "Answerest thou nothing?"

Hulda was then reminded of the statement made by Isaiah, who said, "He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth."

"I watched them," said Nicodemus, "as they spit in his face, and struck him with their hands. I thought also of the words of Isaiah, "I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. This certainly describes his actions before Pilate."

After a thoughtful silence, Nicodemus recalled even more. "When the crowd gathered at The Pavement before the Tower of Antonia, and Pilate gave the order that they scourge Jesus, I closed my eyes several times. The sight was more than I could bear. Roman scourging is so brutal, it is referred to as 'half-way death,' but in the case of Jesus it seemed excessive, even by those standards. It was as if something in his innocence was driving the scourge beyond all restraint. There were at least 400 soldiers in The Pavement watching. When they had administered the full lash and helped him to his feet, his lacerated form and face made him almost unrecognizable. I wept at the sight, and have often since recalled the words of Isaiah, 'See, my Servant . . . his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness. So will he sprinkle many nations.' And, 'He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces, he was despised and we esteemed him not. Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him and afflicted.'"

"That surely describes Saul's thinking," Esrom said sadly. "He believed he was doing God's service in opposing Jesus."

"Do you think," Hulda asked, "that Pilate really thought Jesus guilty of any crime, when he ordered him to be scourged?"

"He stated that he found no fault in him. Caiaphas and Annas looked devastated when Pilate said that. If he had overruled their charges against Jesus, their entire plan to crucify Jesus would have been foiled. It might have brought the priests in disfavor, if not disgrace, before the Roman rulers and also in the eyes of most of the people. But you must remember that Pilate had lost his first case in Rome when Annas and Caiaphas had pressed their charges of idolatry against him. He must have believed that he would lose this case too. So, when the priests incited the rabble to clamor for Jesus' death, Pilate called for water, and publicly washed his hands. He had apparently learned something of Jewish laws since his first defeat. I assume this action was because of Moses' statement, 'If any be found slain and it is not known who killed him . . . the elders of the town nearest the body shall wash their hands saying . . . our hands did not shed this blood.'"

"What about Barabas? Do you believe, Nicodemus, that Pilate thought the people would release Jesus when given the choice?"

"I really think so, Hulda. The crowd might have done so if they had not been instructed to shout for the release of Barabas."

"But why did Pilate crucify Jesus between two thieves?"

"I suspect it was to humble and shame the Sanhedrin. Since they insisted on executing an innocent man, he got revenge by making a show of Rome's dominance over the Jews. At The Pavement he made them admit that the Jews have no King but Caesar. Then he placed a sign over Jesus head, 'Jesus of Nazareth, The King of the Jews,' written in Hebrew, Latin and Greek, so no one would mistake the humiliation. When the chief priest saw it they asked him to change it to 'He said, I am King of the Jews.' Pilate answered that what he had written would stand. So, the insult was increased by crucifying him between two thieves." After a pause, Nicodemus added, "But whatever Pilate meant, I believe it might have fulfilled another reference to Messiah found in Isaiah, 'He was numbered with the transgressors.'"

"As I recall the tragic scene of Jesus on the cross," Esrom said, "I remember how the soldiers, always greedy for any possession, were kneeling directly before the cross where they disrobed Jesus and were casting lots to see who would get his outer garment, which was a very fine seamless robe. The Psalm has so many amazing statements that seem to perfectly describe the scene of the cross. There is the statement, 'They cast lots for my clothing.' Certainly there was no time in the life of David, to my knowledge, when they cast lots for his clothing. They never pierced his hands and feet, so why would these statements not refer to Jesus, as we have been saying."

"And," Nicodemus added, "it occurs to me there could be significance in the way he died. They broke the legs of the two thieves to hasten death before the Sabbath. But when they came to Jesus he had already given up his spirit. A soldier thrust a spear into his side and water and blood flowed out together, proving his death. So they did not break his legs. I am reminded that Moses instructed, when preparing the sacrificial lamb for the Passover, that they were not to break a bone in the lamb. You will recall that John the Baptist announced Jesus as the 'lamb of God' who came to take away the sin of the world. In the Psalms we read, 'He keepeth all his bones, not one of them is broken.' "
Suddenly Hulda became excited. "I did not know about the spear, but look at this scripture, right here before me in the prophet Zechariah, 'They shall look on me whom they pierced.' " She looked at the others with eyes shining, "This is not over. They will look on him, somehow, someday."
All of them stood for sometime in silent contemplation of these evidences that Jesus was indeed, Messiah, God's Anointed Servant.