“The Sadducees have assured us of their cooperation,” said Achish. “And we already know Herod will not stand in our way.”
“It’s a dirty business having to consort with such men,” said Caiaphas. “But we have to act.”
“When shall we strike?” asked a priest.
“We never strike,” said Caiaphas. “It is the Law that shall strike. We will only fulfill the requirements of the Law that a blasphemer be put to death.”
“The Romans shall never agree to that,” said Achish. “Pilate thinks little enough of our religious controversies.”
“Perhaps,” said Caiaphas. “But he thinks a great deal of his position. You leave Pilate to me. If he sees Jesus as a potential threat to the peace of this region which he governs, then he will take an enormous interest in our ‘religious controversies’.”
“Greetings all,” came Zichri’s voice, as he entered the room.
Achish watched as his master walked over to the table. Zichri glanced at Achish with a look that told him he had been successful.
“I have met with the man,” Zichri said, whispering. “He is willing to give Jesus up. But he insists on meeting with you.”
“What?” cried Caiaphas. “That is out of the question. Make the deal and be done with it!”
“I beg your pardon, my priest. But he will not deal with us unless he can first speak with you.” Zichri smirked. “I think the man wants to clear his conscience before he violates it!”
“Very well,” Caiaphas said. “Tomorrow night. But tell him to be discreet about it. We need to settle this before the Passover.”
“It shall be done,” said Zichri.
“Did he name a price?” demanded Caiaphas.
“He did,” said Zichri.
“I suppose we can draw it from the treasury,” said Caiaphas, looking at his aide to make the arrangements.
“Oh, no bother with that,” Zichri said. “It’s a small sum.”
“Indeed?” asked Caiaphas. “How much does he want?”
“Only thirty pieces of silver,” said Zichri, laughing.
The men snickered at the thought of such a paltry amount.
“I had no idea betrayal came so cheaply,” said Caiaphas. “Otherwise I would have bought him a long time ago!”
The men left the room.
“Well done, Berenius,” said Kara. “But I don’t think Caiaphas will find the betrayal so cheap in the end.”
A.D. 33
Wednesday, the Last Week
Bethany
Philip watched as a group of men, Greek according to their dress, approached him. He looked about to see if there were any of the other disciples nearby, but they had gone into Bethany. He nodded to them. It was not unusual to see people from all over the empire around Jerusalem during the Passover. Many made pilgrimages here at least once in their lives. Perhaps these were Greek Jews, or maybe Gentile seekers.
“You are one of the men of Jesus?” they asked.
Their accent was definitely Greek.
“Yes,” said Philip. “But He is not here right now.”
“We have come to worship at the feast,” said one of them. “My name is Aristobulus. My father owns property on the coast. He is a merchant.”
He was speaking in a halting manner as if he were unsure of how to approach Philip and assure him that he was genuinely seeking the Lord. He looked back at his fellow Greeks who urged him on.
“But my father has not forgotten the Lord who has blessed him. And so we have come to honor the Lord in Jerusalem. We are staying nearby.”
“What can I do for you, my friend?” asked Philip, relieving the discomfort of the man with his reassuring manner.
“We came to see Jesus,” he said. “We have heard of Him, how He works miracles. And that He is perhaps the hope of Israel.”
Philip sized the men up. Normally he was careful to protect Jesus. But he felt a sincerity in the man and excused himself.
“Wait here,” he said. “I will look into it for you.”
Philip raced into town and found Andrew. He explained the matter to him and the two of them went to the house where Jesus was staying, telling Him there were some Greek Jews who wanted to see Him. Jesus’ face was intent—His eyes looking forward as if in deep thought. He listened to the explanation and then, gathering His disciples around Him, began speaking to them.
“I cannot go to all men,” he said. “But take Me to those who seek Me. The hour has come that I should be glorified.”
The disciples looked at one another with puzzled expressions. Andrew and Philip led Jesus and the other disciples to the spot where the Greeks waited. Several others had joined them now. Peter began to speak but was silenced by Jesus’ hand. Jesus looked at Peter with great compassion.
“Yes, it is time. But I have to tell you My soul is troubled by it all.”
He looked at the men whose faces He knew so well after three years of living, working, playing and serving together. He then looked at the men who sought Him out. “But this is what I came for. Shall I now say, ‘Father, I don’t want to do this?’ No. I say rather, ‘Father, glorify Your Name!’”
Suddenly a burst of thunder echoed through the Mount of Olives and down the Kidron Valley into Bethany. A Voice spoke from the thunder, shattering the air:
“I have both glorified Your Name, and shall glorify it again.”
“Was that an angel?’ asked someone.
“It was just thunder,” said another, noting that the sky was clear.
Over the past few days, angels of both camps, wicked and holy, had begun descending upon Kidron. They all understood that a great contest ensued, although none clearly understood its meaning. Lucifer and several of his angels stood near the place where Jesus was now speaking. Holy angels were also present in greater numbers.
“Why does He not simply get to the point,” fumed Kara. “He is always speaking to these fools in terms that humans cannot possibly grasp!”
Lucifer turned to Kara, whose smug face belied his own ignorance of the matter.
“And suppose you teach us what this all means,” said Lucifer. “I had no idea you were so wise.”
“The Man is going to die,” said Kara defensively. Rugio and Pellecus enjoyed his discomfort. “I am simply wondering why He doesn’t say so!”
“He has told them often enough,” said Pellecus.
“I, for one, would like to be there when He takes His last breath,” snarled Rugio.
“You will, Rugio,” said Lucifer. “You will.”
Jesus looked past the men, in the direction of Lucifer. Their eyes locked and Jesus continued speaking.
“Now is the judgment of this world upon us,” He said, looking squarely at Lucifer. “And now the prince of this world shall be cast out.”
The words had a paralyzing effect upon Lucifer, momentarily. He continued looking at Jesus, not so much in defiance but as an animal who has been mesmerized by a predator. He shook it off.
“We’ll see who casts out whom,” Lucifer managed.
Pellecus and Kara nodded eagerly. Rugio remained impassive.
“I leave you with this,” Jesus continued. “For just a little while longer the Light will be with you. Walk therefore in the Light and become children of Light by believing.”
He then left the area. Many people called after Him and some attempted to follow. But He managed to elude them all, and hid from the people for the remainder of the day. The Greeks thanked Philip for bringing Jesus to them and went back to the place they were staying for the Passover.
As the disciples walked back to the home of Simon the leper, where Jesus was staying, they saw a pilgrim. He was a man coming to the Passover. With him was his young son, who was holding a little spring lamb. Philip looked at the boy, remembering the time his own father had taken their lamb to be offered in sacrifice to the Lord. How difficult it was—but what a lesson about the price of sin.
Philip nudged Andrew as the father and son walked by.
“The lamb to the slaughter,” he whispered. “Remember those days?”
Andrew nodded, remembering his own childhood when they were given a lamb to offer on Passover. He caught up with Jesus and recounted the conversation he had just had with Philip.
“Many a lamb will give its life in Israel in two days, eh Master?”
Jesus said nothing.
Andrew looked back and then, with a strange expression on his face, asked:
“Where is Judas?”
Judas had slowly dropped back from the others and was now half-way to the city. He had an appointment to keep with the high priest. As he walked, he wrestled with himself over the whole idea. Clearly Jesus was steering them all to disaster and had to be stopped. But should he betray Him? Or should he simply walk away? He stopped at the edge of the slope of the Mount of Olives leading gently down the Kidron Valley.
“What should I do?” he agonized aloud.
“What indeed?” said Lucifer, who had followed him.
Judas sat on the edge of a hill, looking over the twilight of Jerusalem. He could still make out the magnificent Temple, as well as parts of the Antonia fortress. Somewhere in that massive building sat Caiaphas and others who were interested in meeting him. Should he keep the date or not?
“Jesus has made a fool of you all,” hissed Lucifer, who had seated himself next to Judas. A few holy angels watched from a distance, but as Judas’ will had become increasingly accommodating toward Lucifer, they could not interfere. Lucifer ignored them and continued speaking to Judas’ mind.
“He has betrayed the cause that originally brought you to Him.”
Judas thought back to the early days of the ministry when Jesus had promised a Kingdom! Now all He offered was hardship and the prospects of being seen as a common criminal, a heretic or both.
“You could be a great man in Herod’s eyes…”
Judas didn’t care for the priests. He disliked dealing with them. But perhaps they could promote him to Herod as the man who helped put an end to a rabble-rouser. It was worth investigating. Of course he didn’t have to make the deal tonight. He was just going to talk to them.
“Judas, it is not you who is the betrayer…it is Jesus…”
“Jesus,” he whispered. “Why? Why did You lead us to this point?”
“You must lead them back, Judas…you must save your people…you must take the step to end this nightmare once and for all…”
He looked defiantly at the Temple below.
“It will cost you, Caiaphas!” he said. “And much more than the thirty pieces of silver I bargained for!”
Lucifer smiled as he felt Judas’ will slipping into complete resolution. He took his hands and grabbed Judas by the skull and spoke the words,
“Now Judas…do what is in your heart to do…”
Judas stood as if on command and, taking one look back toward the direction of Bethany, turned and headed down the mountain toward Jerusalem. Lucifer smiled as he felt murder enter into the heart of Judas at last.
A.D. 33
Thursday, the Last Week
Passover Day
“Master, the Passover lamb is slain,” said Peter. “But where shall we prepare it?”
Jesus looked at Peter, carrying the freshly killed and cleaned lamb in a bundle. He called John over to where they stood.
“Both of you shall go into the city,” Jesus told them. “Once you are there a man carrying a pitcher of water shall meet you and take you to a house. Tell the owner that your Master has need of his house for the Passover. He will then show you to a room that will be ready to receive us. That is where you shall make preparations.”
Peter looked at John and the two turned to leave.
The other disciples sat about anxiously. This Passover promised to be especially eventful, given all the recent tension in the city. Simon the Zealot carried a sword just in case. He planned to tuck it under his robes to use if the need arose. As Peter walked by with John, he saw the sword.
“And what are you planning to use that for?” Peter asked good humouredly. “The lamb is already slain.”
“This?” said Simon. “This is for Roman lambs.”
Peter took the sword from him.
“You have no need for this,” he said. “Your hot-headedness will only get us all in trouble. I’ll keep it for you until after the Passover.”
Peter then tucked the sword under his own robe.
“Zealots!” he said.
Everyone laughed.
Chronicles of the Host
Passover
All of the cities surrounding Jerusalem were alive with the traffic of the faithful, heading into or around Jerusalem, preparing for the Passover feast. For many, this would be their first celebration in the Holy City. For some, it would be their last…
Just as Jesus had said, Peter and John were shown a room and made ready the Passover. Before the sun went down the others arrived, and they all sat around a large carpeted table where they could recline and enjoy their meal.
The Host, knowing that a supreme hour was imminent, surrounded the place where Jesus had gathered to prevent the enemy from interfering. The disciples enjoyed the meal as befit their custom, and all seemed to progress uneventfully. Until…
“One of you shall betray Me tonight.”
The conversation stopped. Dead silence.
“What was that, Master?” asked Peter.
“One of you shall betray Me this very night.”
“Betray You?” asked Peter astonished. “But who? Is it I?”
Others followed Peter’s lead, asking who it was and then the lingering refrain, “Is it I?”
Lucifer saw the many angels surrounding the house in Jerusalem where Jesus was, at that very moment, announcing His betrayal. Several angels saw him and sounded an alarm. Michael himself was standing at the door of the house.
“Lucifer, how dare you show yourself here?” he said.
“Just collecting on what is due me,” Lucifer said. “Now move aside.”
“You shall not pass through this place, Lucifer,” said Michael, his sword beginning to glow an icy-blue.
“Indeed?” he countered. “You had better confer with your brother archangel.”
Michael looked up to see Gabriel, who had just appeared. Michael was happy to see Gabriel, until he read his face.
“You see, Michael,” there is one in there who is begging for me to come in,” Lucifer said. “So stand aside.”
“What does this mean, Gabriel?” asked Michael.
Gabriel was in despair. Looking at his old friend, he said, “It means you must allow Lucifer in.”
“What?” asked Michael, incredulously. “We cannot simply…”
“Lucifer has the right,” said Gabriel. “It has been given to him by the Most High. We are not to interfere this night.”
Lucifer smiled at Michael.
“Well, well. It looks as if my star is rising once more,” he said. “And once I have finished with Jesus, you shall see it permanently in place back in the heavens where it belongs—and off this wretched planet. Now out of my way.”
Michael watched as Lucifer moved past him and entered the home. He looked at Gabriel, who could not bear to look back at the archangel. Other angels were arriving, all sensing something extraordinary hung in the balance.
“We are not to interfere at all?” Michael pleaded.
Gabriel only shook his head.
Jesus saw Lucifer enter the room and stand behind Judas. Lucifer, though feeling his strength, dared not look Jesus directly in the eyes, at first. Instead, he stood next to Judas, making sure of his resolve to follow through on the betrayal.
Jesus looked at Lucifer, who for the first time felt compelled to look at Jesus.
“What you are about to do,” He said to Lucifer. “Do quickly.”
Lucifer sneered at Jesus.
“Judas is only the first to turn,” he said. “I have also set my mind upon Peter. He, too, shall
betray You in the end. As will the rest. And then Your dream of kingship will die with You!”
Judas got up and looking back only once, left the room. The others thought Jesus had sent him for more money from the treasury. Lucifer lingered for a moment and then, nodding his head at Jesus, vanished.
“Take this bread and eat it,” said Jesus. “It has been blessed. It is My body.”
The men took the bread and ate. Peter looked at his brother Andrew, wondering what this was all about. But they had come to expect such extraordinary behavior with Jesus, and ate it with the other men.
“Now drink from this cup,” Jesus said. “It is the cup of remembrance. It is My blood…”
“Blood?” the men wondered. Though some recalled Jesus’ words over a year ago when He said they should eat His body and drink His blood.
“It is the blood of the New Covenant that has been shed for the remission of sins for many,” Jesus continued. “As often as you drink of this cup, do it in remembrance of Me and what this New Covenant means.”
Peter offered the cup to Jesus, who refused at that point.
“No Peter,” he said. “I shall not drink of this cup again until I drink it new with all of you in My Father’s Kingdom. Now, before we leave here, I have one more task I wish to do…”
“You’re certain He shall be at Gethsemane?” the officer asked.
“Yes, of course,” said Judas, looking around nervously. “That was the plan. He will be there and I shall direct you to Him.”
Judas had met the arresting officer and his men at the prearranged location. Together they had mapped out the plan to overtake Jesus. It would happen after the Passover feast in a garden called Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. Caiaphas liked the plan—it was quick and it would happen in a remote place. Judas could see a priest standing in the shadows but could not discern who it was.
Final Confrontation Page 24