Jesus looked around as if considering His next illustration and then He turned to the men and continued.
“The Kingdom of Heaven is like…” He paused and took a coin out of a small bag nearby. Holding up the coin He continued. “It is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man finds it, rather than tell everyone right away, he first hides it again, and then in his joy sells all he has and buys that field. Or, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he finds one of great value, he sells everything he has and buys it. Do you see? The Kingdom must first be secured by a man and then it becomes powerful in his life and something to be told!”
“Peter, you are a fisherman,” He said, glancing at the brother of Andrew. “You know these waters well.”
“Yes, too well,” said Andrew, referring to the recent lack of catch. The men laughed aloud. Peter smiled at being the center of the story.
“Nevertheless, here is a story you will understand. The Kingdom of Heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish.”
“Not like Peter’s net then,” chimed in Andrew.
They all laughed.
“No, this net was full,” continued Jesus. “And so the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and sorted the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad fish away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The holy angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into a fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. A horrible fate. Have you understood all these things?”
“Yes,” they replied.
“This is why we have such conflict with the religious leaders in this land. You see, every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the Kingdom of Heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old. But they instruct from what they presume is the Kingdom—so they are like blind men who are only leading other blind men into the ditch.”
As Jesus finished speaking, the crowds once more were pressing in, breaking into their private moment together. He ordered the men to prepare the launch so they might take off across the lake, escaping the crowds to preach the Kingdom elsewhere.
Crispin and Rufus watched as the little boat headed out across the great sea. The accompanying warriors stayed with the boat as always. The people continued watching the disciples’ little boat as it headed into the middle of the lake.
“The people who live on the other side of Galilee are in for a wonderful surprise,” said Crispin. “Quite an unexpected visit!”
Rufus nodded in agreement and ordered his angels back to Heaven with him. Crispin vanished with them. When they had left, two more angels appeared on the banks of the lake. They also watched the little boat.
“I would say there shall be another unexpected visit—upon the water,” one of the angels said.
“See to it,” said the other.
It was Rugio.
Above the little boat, which was about midway across the lake, the warrior angels who were with Jesus cast a weary eye. Above them, swirling like angry hornets were hundreds of demons. They seemed to be gathering in a great cloudy, dark mist. Above them was Rugio and his commander Nathan.
“They have spotted us,” said Nathan. “The warriors with Jesus.”
“Never mind them,” said Rugio. “They cannot abandon their post to do battle. Besides we have them outnumbered.” He smiled at the clouds beginning to broil around the dark morass of his warriors who were creating a violent disturbance above the lake.
“I sense fear among the fishermen,” Rugio observed. “They, too, see this storm brewing. If there is one thing that paralyzes the Lord’s ability to work among men it is fear. Let their fears take them to the bottom of the lake!”
On board the cramped little boat, the men were indeed watching the skies. Andrew looked at his brother, who was maintaining a steady hand on the rudder. Simon glanced back, shaking his head doubtfully. The others, particularly those who were not fishermen, also looked at the blackening sky. The winds began to rise.
They looked at Jesus who was asleep on the deck, leaning on one of the nets.
“Shall we awaken Him?” asked Thaddeus.
“Not yet,” answered Simon, looking up at the sky’s first flash of lightning. “Not just yet. But steady your oars, my friends. And steady your hearts.”
“The storm is almost at the ready,” reported Nathan. “Shall we commence?”
Rugio looked at the waves, which were beginning to rock the boat with greater and greater intensity. He gave the command and the hellish angels started swirling about faster and faster, creating a maelstrom within the air, bringing the storm to its greatest fury.
The boat began tipping violently. Sheets of rain blinded the men, droplets cutting into them like tiny needles. The waves lapped into the boat, splashing the men and causing some of them to panic. Rugio and Nathan enjoyed their handiwork, anticipating the drowning of the men.
“Even if Jesus should live this will deal a blow to the Kingdom,” said Rugio. “What with John’s upcoming termination, we shall soon see Jesus’ Kingdom dreams vanish.”
Aboard the boat, the men were rowing for land with all of their strength. But they were so turned around and being tossed about so violently they could scarcely make out where the land was, or if they were even going in a straight line. Finally, Simon gave the order to awaken Jesus.
“Master! Master!”
Jesus opened His eyes and saw the frightened faces of His disciples.
“Master we are going to die if You do not do something!”
Jesus stood up and looked at the men who were fighting the storm but whose fears had gotten the better of them. Jesus gazed into the sky as a lightning bolt exploded nearby.
“Why are you afraid?” he shouted. “Where is your faith?”
The men looked at each other. Simon was still barking orders.
“We are taking on too much water,” he shouted. “Keep bailing!”
Jesus moved to the front of the boat which was dipping down into the sea and then rocking violently back He held on to the side, looked into the sky and spoke.
“PEACE!” He shouted into the sky.
Rugio and Nathan were knocked backwards upon the declaration of peace by Jesus. The devils who were spinning the storm into its greatest violence were suddenly flung into disorganization. Many, upon hearing the Lord’s voice, shrieked in fear and began scattering.
“Hold that storm together!” ordered Rugio.
“BE STILL!” shouted Jesus.
When these words were spoken, all coordination fell apart and the demons scattered like a flock of frightened birds. The storm quickly subsided. Even Nathan was thrown back into the heavenlies for a moment at this great command. Only Rugio remained stubborn and defiant. He could not believe the carnage Jesus had made of his warriors with just a few simple words.
The men were exhausted as the surface of the lake calmed down. Jesus moved among them and sat back down. They could only whisper among themselves that even the winds and the sea obeyed this Man!
“Listen to their amazement,” said Nathan. He then mocked them in Andrew’s voice, “Even the winds and the waters obey Him!”
“Of course,” said Rugio. “He created the winds and the waters.”
“Then why did we even make this attempt?” Nathan asked scornfully. “All this did was build greater confidence among the disciples!”
“I was hoping to see some of these wretched humans destroyed,” said Rugio.
“So how do we fight Him?” asked Nathan. “He cannot be attacked.”
“Not from the outside, perhaps,” agreed Rugio. “But I believe Lucifer is working on something from within.”
Nathan wasn’t sure what Rugio meant, but he understood this to be information to which he was not privy. They watched the boat as it finally turned toward a distant shore.
Rugio smirked. “Who is the prince over Gadara?”
“That is Lucien,” said Nathan. “He is prince over the entire province of Peraea.”
“Ah yes,” said Rugio, recalling a bitter conflict he once had with Lucien because of his close alliance with Kara. “That proud and petty prince. I believe you should warn him of an immediate problem.”
Nathan looked at Rugio with a puzzled expression.
“It looks as if they are bound for Gadara,” Rugio said with delight. “Tell Lucien the Most High is coming to call.”
Gadara was the capital of the Roman province of Peraea. It was on the summit of a mountain about six miles southeast of the Sea of Galilee. It was a rugged territory, and between the lake and the town was a deep ravine which was dotted with many tombs carved in the limestone cliffs.
The disciples did not frequent this region, preferring the more familiar towns to the northwest of the lake. Nevertheless, upon Jesus’ command the boat made shore near Gadara and within minutes they were disembarking.
“I never liked this place,” muttered Simon, as he and Andrew tied the boat up. “It’s all the tombs. I hear the land is haunted by strange creatures.”
The other disciples listened. They, too, had heard the strange tales about this country. They all felt as if they were being watched.
High above them on the summit stood Lucien who, along with Nathan and several of Lucien’s angels, kept an eye on the party as it climbed ashore. Lucien conferred with his aides, trying to determine the best course of action.
“Rugio’s orders are to hold this land,” repeated Nathan. “Jesus’ Kingdom must not gain a foothold here.”
Lucien turned to Nathan.
“Tell your master Rugio that Gadara is not Capernaum,” he said proudly. “There are not adoring crowds here to fawn upon Jesus. They will come and go with little to show for their efforts—just as happened in Chorazin and Bethsaida.”
Lucien had mastered the art of engendering fear among humans. Years of legend had developed around the tombs which, when coupled with Lucien’s loose control of his devils, promoted a sense of chaos and sheer horror among humans who might journey through that part of the land. He particularly prided himself on his ability to repulse even the most stalwart human through the shrieking spirits whose pig-like faces turned human blood to ice. He turned to Korah.
“Bring that fool out of the tombs,” he said. “These men are tired and afraid. Perhaps a bit more fear will turn them away.”
Korah nodded and vanished.
“And now, Nathan,” said Lucien with disdain, “I will demonstrate how we handle disciples in Gadara!”
“What was that?” asked Thomas.
He scanned the hillside in the direction of the scream he heard. He saw nothing.
“There it is again,” said another.
“Look there!” shouted Andrew.
Far away on the brim of a hill was the figure of a man. As he drew closer they saw he was completely naked. His loping, irregular stride added to the eeriness of the picture. Some of the disciples looked for possible weapons. Judas and Thomas climbed back into the boat. Jesus, however, simply watched the man.
The man, probably in his twenties, was badly scarred and bruised. Several open sores were bleeding, particularly on his arms and legs. He was drooling out of the corner of his mouth. On his legs and arms were what remained of shackles that the locals had used in an attempt to keep him secure and to stop his roaming around the countryside. But under the demons’ influence, the man had actually broken the chains that bound him and was loosed to terrorize the region.
The most striking feature of this naked, dirty man was his eyes. They were like black coals with a slight reddish-tinged center. The man smelled like an animal, growling and grunting as he came.
Korah, the demon under Lucien who controlled the man, kept him running among the tombs, slipping on the sharp rocks and harassing the farmers nearby. Nobody wanted to come near the tombs anymore because of him. Ordinarily whenever he confronted some poor wretch who wandered into his domain, he would dispatch his victim quickly with a few simple screams and flails of the arms. The dangling shackles added to the scariness of the scene. This time was different.
The nearer Korah got to the man, the more agitated he became. As Jesus came into sight it was as if Korah was beginning to lose a measure of control of the man whose body he now inhabited. How could this be? The man had given himself over completely. Now the two were in a contest!
Korah managed to control the man’s voice and in a guttural, but conflicted voice, he threw the man on the ground before Jesus and shouted, “What have I to do with you, Son of the Most High God?”
“Come out of him at once!” commanded Jesus.
The men around Jesus stared in wonder.
“I beg of you, Most High, do not torment me before my time!”
“Come out of him at once!” Jesus repeated.
“I beg you, Most High!”
“What is your name?” Jesus asked.
“We call ourselves Legion,” Korah answered. “Because we are so many. We had permission to enter this house. Leave us alone!”
“You must leave him now,” said Jesus again.
Korah was frantic. He could feel his hold on the man slipping away even as the man’s mind was beginning to right itself. Then he spotted some swine on a hillside near the ravine.
“Son of God, I beg you to allow us to enter those swine rather than torment us,” Korah begged.
Jesus looked at the swine.
“These people are filthy, Most High,” Korah continued. “They violate the law by keeping these pigs. Send us into them that we might…”
“Go!” Jesus commanded. “Go into the swine!”
Suddenly the man convulsed violently, swinging his fists and almost hitting Andrew with the end of one of the chains dangling from his arms. He frothed and shook and fell to the ground. Then he was quiet.
The demons, in the meantime, headed straight into the swine. Upon their entrance the pigs went berserk and began stampeding, nearly running down their herdsman. The pigs headed straight for the cliffs and in an instant plunged over the side, while the devils inside shrieked with delight!
Jesus looked down at the man. His eyes were clear now—beautiful green eyes looking up at Jesus. He moved to cover his nakedness. Jesus ordered that clothes and food be given to the man.
When the local people arrived on the scene and saw the man in his right mind they were astonished. They also were seized with fear because of what had happened to the swine. Afraid Jesus might destroy their commerce, they begged the men to go away. And so Jesus and his disciples left Gadara, but not before He instructed the man who had been delivered to tell everyone what God had done for him.
A top the summit, watching them as they left, Nathan stood with Korah. Grim and silent, he was glad they were leaving. But he also sensed he had lost a major portion of his authority in that land.
“So this is how you handle disciples in Gadara,” Nathan could not help but say. “I will see to it that Rugio is given a full report!”
He vanished.
Korah turned to his aides, who were beginning to reassemble after leaving the drowning swine.
“Let Rugio report,” he said sullenly. “I answer to Kara. But I shall be interested to see how they handle the disciples in Jerusalem.”
Chronicles of the Host
Third Galilean Journey
By now the Lord’s fame had spread throughout the land. He began a third ministry excursion into Galilee, including a second visit to His hometown of Nazareth. Once more, the people there rejected Him and He marveled at their unbelief.
Jesus went about the villages and cities of Galilee, preaching the Kingdom of God and healing the sick. He also began sending the disciples out by twos to minister in His name and authority. Thus did the Host assign angels to accompany the disciples as they set out to minister through the countryside.
He told them they were going out as “sheep among wolves” and tha
t having Himself been accused of being in league with Beelzebub, the disciples could expect no less harassment. And so they went out and many were healed and delivered.
As for the Host, we quietly awaited the next move by the enemy. It was not long in coming, although it was unexpected. We had thought the enemy would strike at Jesus directly. Instead, he chose to attack Him through His cousin John…
Herod’s birthday was proving to be one of his usual excessive triumphs. Exotic and imported foods and wines from all over the Roman world had been prepared. Lavish gifts and flowery congratulations poured in from various Roman governors and officials, as well as several senators. He had received numerous praises from foreign kings and diplomats as well. Herod loved birthdays and this one was no exception.
Next to him at the table, Herodias was sipping wine from the south of Gaul. It was an important gift from an important governor, and they enjoyed it in the governor’s honor. She preferred the wine to the local vintages which were much too sweet for her taste—but then she had grown to hate all things Judean. She poured another cup of wine for her husband, as she had been doing the entire evening.
Watching the proceedings, Kara and Berenius were quite gratified. They had put into Herodias’ heart an idea that would put an end to John the Baptizer once and for all.
“Keep filling his cup, my dear,” purred Kara, as Herod sloppily grabbed the goblet and toasted with one of his military officers. “In a moment Berenius, it will be time for our drama to begin.”
“So this is your plan to exterminate John?” came a voice. “To allow Herod to celebrate his ridiculous birthday?”
Kara turned to see Lucifer standing behind him.
“Humans enjoy celebrating the day of their miserable birth,” shrugged Kara. “Berenius is about to give Herod quite a present.”
“You’ve heard about the Gadarenes?” Lucifer asked.
Final Confrontation Page 14