SAUL & GAMALIEL CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR- Page 1

SAUL AND GAMALIEL faced each other across the schoolmaster's library. They had each taken a chair, determined to examine their differences about today's ruling as men of dignity and learning.
"So you don't agree with my suggestion that the disciples of Jesus should have been released without flogging?" Gamaliel asked.

"I would personally have preferred seeing their punishment more severe, Rabban. Any who dare suggest the man Jesus was the Messiah deserve death in my judgment. I do think you let them off very gently, with only a flogging."

The words, only a flogging, caused Gamaliel to wince. It was not uncommon for men to lose consciousness under the repeated strokes of the lash falling across their shoulders and chest. There were even some occasions when men had died at the Temple whipping post.

Whether Saul noticed the expression on Gamaliel's face or not, he did not indicate. But he continued speaking rapidly, saying, "You are too soft hearted, Gamaliel, too much like your grandfather Hillel."

"Would to God I was more like him," Gamaliel said, in a soft voice as he looked away from his fiery friend and former student.

Saul arose from his chair, and paced back and forth as though struggling with his thoughts. Perhaps he had been too frank. He stopped and looked at his old teacher. "It is not the punishment nor the thought of avoiding it that troubles me most."

Raising his brows, Gamaliel looked at Saul, and waited for him to explain his statement.
"It was your comment to the members of the Council that bothers me so," Saul said.
"Comment? I made several."

"Only one that really startled me, and to be honest I am still quite shaken by it. I hoped I was hearing you wrong." Gamaliel still waited, apparently curious as to which statement Saul was alluding. "You said if these radical, misled followers of the dead Jesus were doing the work of God, then we were opposing God and would not be able to stop them but would find ourselves fighting against God!" His voice had risen with the memory of the respected Rabbi's words.

"Did I say that, Saul?" Gamaliel asked.

"Not in the manner that I have stated it. But that is what I heard in your comment. The exact words, as I recall them, were, 'Refrain from these men and let them alone: for if this work is of men, it will come to nought: but if it be of God you cannot overthrow it; lest haply you be found even to fight against God.' Please," Saul continued, "please tell me that I heard you wrong. I cannot believe that you suggested these misled fanatics, who proclaim that Jesus is the Messiah, could be telling the truth. Do you believe what they are saying?"

"Can you explain the instant healing of Dan who was lame from birth?"

"Oh, so now you adopt his evasive tactic; answering a direct question with a question of your own!"

"It is an answer of sorts. Can you explain why the street outside the Temple is often lined with the crippled and diseased, not only from Jerusalem, but from areas many miles away, all coming to receive healing? If they were there only a few days, and no miracles were taking place, then their numbers would soon diminish and there would be no more. But the truth is, Saul, they are increasing, for the miracles are increasing, and we cannot blame them for sharing hope with their incurable friends and neighbors. There was the one lady who simply touched the hem of Jesus' garment, and received healing. She had spent all the money she had on doctors, and they had done their best to help her. But her case was hopeless. When she met Jesus, she was instantly restored. Peter and the others are saying that Jesus told them they would do greater works than he did because he was limited to one place at one time. They believe that any who desired to receive His Spirit could carry this ministry to the entire world. Saul, have you considered the words of Jesus? To the woman taken in adultery, he said, 'Sin no more.' And he said to the thieving tax payer, 'Restore what you have stolen.' I can see, Saul, that you resent my asking this because you don't want to hear. You have probably closed your eyes when entering the Temple, so you could not see the line of sick people waiting to receive help from the disciples. You have probably resented the poor people, mostly from other parts of the empire, who have arrived in Jerusalem needing assistance, and find they receive it from these followers of Jesus, and from young men like Stephen."
At the mention of Stephen's name, Saul's eyes flashed with anger. He had debated with Stephen in the Cilician synagogue, and had been embarrassed by the wisdom and strength of this one he opposed. When leaving his discussions with Stephen, he was angered more by the manner in which the people gathered around this young man to thank him for helping them physically, as well as with material assistance.

Gamaliel realized he had said enough. "Perhaps, Saul, your eyes may one day be opened. Perhaps you will change," Gamaliel said, indicating he had said all he could.

As he bade farewell to Gamaliel, Saul realized his old teacher was at peace with himself, and showed little desire to join in his denunciation of the followers of Jesus.

AN HOUR LATER Saul stood before Caiaphas. "I honestly cannot believe what he said! Gamaliel, the 'respected' Gamaliel, saying in the presence of the entire Sanhedrin that these men claiming Jesus is the Messiah, could be of God, and warned us not to fight against God. How many priests have we lost already to this blasphemer? Think of the priests who will be influenced by him now! The door to the fold has been opened to the wolf by our friend!"

"Their numbers are increasing daily. I have spent sleepless nights trying to think of any plan we might follow to keep this movement from spreading. They don't listen to warnings. They are not intimidated with the lash or imprisonment. I am honestly at a total loss to know what to do."
"There is one answer," replied Saul. "Only one."

Caiaphas knotted his brow, and looked intently at Saul, waiting for further comment.

"You did not listen to me when I urged you to stone Jesus. I saw the bleeding embarrassment of the Temple that would follow this crucifixion. You would not hear me then--hear me now, Caiaphas. " He paused dramatically, "Eradicate the lot of them. Stamp out the movement. Be rid of the unclean thing!"

"In the beat of a heart I would do so. But tell me, how can it be done?"

"By force, Caiaphas, by force. What is needed in this hour of crisis is someone with the zeal of a Judah Maccabee. He was called the Hammer."

Saul arose and started for the door.

The High Priest watched him leaving. "The Hammer," he repeated after him. "Another Maccabee? Perhaps you are right."