by D A Walmsley
“Well, son, I forgive your sins. Now get up and walk.”
“You can’t say that, only God can forgive sins,” says a priest.
“This is blasphemy, he can’t say that,” screams another.
“Knob heads,” says Simon.
“Just watch. Your friend has been healed,” shouts Matthew.
Jesus turns to the priests, “why are you so sceptical? Which is simpler to say, I forgive sins or get up and start walking? Well I am the Son of Man and I am authorised to do both.”
Jesus turns to the lad, “Come on, what are you waiting for, get up, you can go home now.”
The young man, starts to move his arms. He feels his face and starts clapping his hands.
“Come on Johnny boy, you can do it,” shouts the lad next to Matthew.
Matthew pats the lad on the back, ouch, his hand is still tender. Down below the friend stands up. The crowd are forced to make room and spill outside as the young lad walks towards the door, laughing as he does.
Chapter 23
“He’s late.”
“Patience my dear Caiaphas, patience.”
“You still haven’t told me his name? He is after all one of my priests.”
Annas prefers it that way; he likes his little secrets. On this occasion however, he sees no reason to hide the identity of his agent. Just so long as Caiaphas can hold his tongue.
As the antique clock in the hall strikes quarter past midnight there is a faint knock at the back door. Annas turns the key and opens the door. A figure dressed in black enters. Annas leads the way into his office where an agitated Caiaphas is standing by a open fire.
“Did anyone see you arrive?” demands Caiaphas.
“No High Priest, I was very careful, as always.”
“Did anyone suspect what you were up to?” asks Caiaphas.
“My sources are loyal to the office of the High Priest.”
The priest takes an envelope from inside his long overcoat, handing it to Annas.
“Excellent,” says Annas.
The priest bows his head to both men, turns and leaves.
Annas opens the brown envelope and takes out the report. After switching on a lamp he reaches for his glasses and quickly flicks through the pages. For something that has taken months to research it is surprisingly short, only a few pages in total. But what it lacks in length it makes up for in value.
“Well?” asks Caiaphas.
“It’s concise.”
“Does it give us what we want?”
Annas smiles, it gives him all he had hoped for, and more.
“Have a look for yourself, you won’t be disappointed.”
Annas walks over to Caiaphas, hands him the report and puts his hands to the fire warming them.
Caiaphas nods with each recommendation.
“Read the conclusions.”
Caiaphas skips a page, and smiles.
“So, we have enough to at least arrest him under the blasphemy laws.”
Annas, unable to contain his pleasure, smiles and says “I couldn’t have written it better myself.”
He takes the report and locks it away in the palace safe, built into a wall in his office.
“So how do we proceed?”
“Oh, that is already under way.”
Annas picks up a remote and turns the TV on. He flicks through the channels, searching for some adverts for the forthcoming festivals.
“Timing is everything.” The adverts end and a programme about the Life of the Colossal Squid continues. Annas shakes his head, searching the channels once more, again stopping at more advertisements. “Might have better luck now.” He doesn’t, and has to turn the TV off.
“Alright, so timing isn’t apparently everything.”
“You don’t appear to be making any sense.”
“Let me put it this way, name three times in the year when a Jewish male should visit the city?”
“It’s late, I’m not playing games!”
“Please Caiaphas, indulge me.”
“Fine, I’ll play, I just hope there is a point to all this. You are referring to the festivals, but the only ones that the law requires the journey to the Temple for are: Unleavened Bread, Harvest and,” he smiles, “of course, the Feast of Booths. I’m guessing those commercials are playing night and day. You were most unfortunate not to stumble upon one of them.”
The timing of the report could have been better, the Feast is only days away. If he can’t set everything up in time the opportunity will be lost; for the time being anyway. While Caiaphas goes off to bed, Annas’ mind races with all the details to arrange. Security won’t be a problem, the Governor hates the holidays and always adds extra soldiers; those along with his Temple guards should be enough. This teacher and his team are only Galileans after all.
It does add some more excitement to one of his favourite times of the year. It commemorates God’s deliverance, protection and provision during the Exodus out of Egypt. People erect booths or huts made from olive, myrtle or palm branches and leaves. They live in them for the length of the festival - seven days. It is very good for business. Maybe that’s why it’s become his favourite festival; there are just so many ways to make a profit. For not only do the Temple offerings increase, the Booths of Annas stock a very affordable line in easy to assemble huts for those too busy to go out and collect branches and wood themselves. This year will be the first time they offer a range of ready meals and his sons are particularly confident they will be big sellers.
* * *
Annas has been meticulous with the planning and has been unable to sleep the last few days. There is just too much to do, why waste time on sleep. Jonathan enters the temple control centre with Governor Pilate’s defence adviser. They are going over the security plans; everything is in place. Annas stands watching the monitors.
“Everyone will expect him to be here,” he says. “What are you doing to do about security?”
“The heaviest in years.” replies Jonathan.
“Good.”
“Only there is a fine line, we don’t want him to get suspicious do we?”
“It would be better if we can arrest him quietly, without his team around.”
“Agreed.”
“The police are to control the streets of the city; we have in place extra units in case of any major incidents. The Governor has insisted that soldiers can be employed anywhere, at any time over the seven days of the feast. If necessary they will enter the Temple but only under extreme circumstances, you understand,” says the defence adviser to Annas.
“The Temple Guard can handle any incident that is thrown at them. I cannot foresee any reason why the Union may need to get involved in Temple business. I have ordered all available guards to be on duty. Also, we have a state of the art surveillance system,” says Annas.
This is really the perfect time to arrest Jesus. This is when the Governor wants peace at all costs. It is so much easier to arrest somebody for disturbing the peace now. They can bring fresh charges later. The Union does not take kindly to festivals that promote, as they call it Anti-Union feelings. The Governor demands a joyous, yet peaceful time. If he can’t achieve peace somebody else will. The situation has just become even more explosive now that three high profile crucifixions have taken place. The Union likes to remind people just who controls Israel. Annas can use this Union anxiety for his own purposes.
A bank of eight monitors - in two rows of four, dominates the communications room. All the gates are covered by cameras, as are the gates to the courts. Much to Annas’ annoyance the priests and Caiaphas have steadfastly refused to allow cameras into the main body of the Temple. Two guards are sitting at the monitors, scanning for any sign of trouble. Two more stand behind supervising. These teams of four will change every three hours. They will do this for the duration of the festival. There are several other trouble makers that the religious authorities have banned from the Temple. Annas will pay the guards extra if they are instrument
al in the capture of Jesus.
Annas has been to the communications room several times already today. He is anxious and a little excited by the prospect of facing this Jesus. He has now returned to his office to read the latest business projections his sons have emailed to him. The ready meals are a big hit and their latest forecasts are that this will be a record-breaking year, though for a change his mind is not on money.
“Jonathan.”
“Yes sir” Jonathan peers round the door, but does not enter.
“Any updates?”
“No sir, not since the last one.”
When news does filter through, it is not what was hoped for. Reports of Jesus refusing to travel with his family have been broadcast on the internet. His followers too, seem to be spending the festival in Galilee. Members of his team have been spotted buying food at a local market in Capernaum. Others were seen collecting branches and leaves and loading up a pick-up truck in the hills around Bethsaida.
At the end of the first day of the Festival, the household of Annas start feasting. In the palace inner courtyard the staff have built three large huts. Annas, Caiaphas and their families gather round while the press take photographs. In the morning, as every year, the newspapers will have the House of Annas splashed across its front pages.
Before the press leaves, Annas has a quiet word with a few of his most reliable and supportive reporters.
“Why isn’t this Jesus here celebrating. You would think a man of high learning and knowledge of the scriptures would want to show a good example to the people.”
* * *
The morning newspapers all had the photograph on their front pages. This isn’t a surprise, that is why they were allowed to work. Most papers had also questioned the whereabouts of Jesus, but not as prominently as Annas wanted. They made the point that it is too early to write him off just yet; it is a seven-day Festival after all.
Day two passes off quietly, although the guards did have a few things to deal with. One of the men banned from the Temple tried to sneak in, but he was quickly arrested and taken to the city jail. Then there were the usual few who had drunk too much wine. They too ended up in the jail, if only to sleep it off.
Halfway through day three Annas is interrupted whilst eating lunch in his office.
“Excuse me sir,” says Jonathan. “I just thought I’d update you. The internet is buzzing with rumours that Jesus has been spotted entering the outer limits of the city.”
Annas picks up his napkin and wipes his mouth.
“Do we have anybody close to him?”
“Not at this time, as I say it’s just rumours.”
“Keep me informed.”
A few minutes later Jonathan puts his head round the door again.
“Sorry sir, another false alarm.”
There have been many over the last few days. With all the mobile devices people now have, he was sure someone would show up his location. Annas is puzzled, he thought he had started to understand this man, the need for attention, observing the law. He might have to think up another plan.
Annas hasn’t even finished his hot green tea when Jonathan comes running in.
“Sir, he’s here in the Temple.”
Annas in his rush knocks over the drink.
“What!” How?”
“Look, someone is showing it live over the internet. It appears he is right here.”
“Are you sure this isn’t a recording?”
“Yes sir, positive.”
“There are priests in the room, why haven’t they notified me?”
“They appear to be debating with him. Sir you can’t go down there without a guard Sir!”
“Then you had better get me one,” says Annas.
Annas, his heart racing, walks as fast as he can without running. He reaches the end of the corridor and is at the top of the steps when two guards come up behind him.
“Sir, please, it’s extremely busy. Sir, I advise you not to go down there.”
“I understand your concerns, but I insist.”
A crackle comes over one of the guards’ earpiece.
“He is in room three.”
As they make their way to the meeting room another keeps Annas informed.
“Two guards have entered the room, they’ve spotted him. They have the door secure. No one is being allowed in or out.”
Annas forgets his importance and runs. Finally he will get to confront this imposter. The guards push and shove people out of his way. They were right about the volume of people but as they arrive at room three it is emptying. Annas is recognised and many want to greet him.
“What has happened?”
“Update us,” says a guard to the control room.
“He’s vanished,” comes the reply.
“He isn’t here sir, it must have been a false alarm.”
Annas pushes into the room ahead of his guards.
“You,” he says to some men, “Who was here teaching?”
“Sir, I am honoured.”
“Of course you are. Who was it?”
“Jesus, the Nazarene, sir.”
“Where is he now?” asks a guard.
“He just vanished, the guards came in and the next minute he was gone.”
“The last thing he said was some were coming to arrest him, then the guards entered.”
Annas looks at the guards. One shakes his head, “if he was here, he’s not now.”
Chapter 24
“We’re all going on a countrywide tour, countrywide tour, countrywide tour.”
“Oh, will you give it a rest?” demands Peter.
“Do you have to sing that song every time we get back in the minibus?” adds Jude.
“We’re only trying to have some fun,” James and John grumble.
“Well maybe have a little bit of respect, Jesus is praying,” says Matthew.
Jesus, having gone to Jerusalem alone, is back with his team and is sitting on a bench, several metres away from the minibus.
“We should never have let him go to Jerusalem by himself,” says Peter.
“He shouldn’t have gone at all!” says Thomas.
“You can’t say that, it’s Jerusalem. We should all have gone and I mean everybody, get all the crowds together, then let’s see who’s gonna stop us,” says Simon.
All except Thomas agree.
The twelve found it hard to understand Jesus’ reasoning. One minute he was resting in Galilee; the next, without telling them where he was going, he’s shown up on the news down in Jerusalem. To make matters worse, he’d come close to getting arrested. Why hadn’t Jesus wanted them by his side? Jesus talked constantly about looking after one another; they’re closer now than at any time. They spent the festival together at Peter’s. Ruth and the kids had made them all feel very welcome. Even Matthew and Simon haven’t tried killing each other lately, from what John can gather anyway. Andrew had pointed out that maybe Jesus leaving and the team still staying together was some kind of test. If it was, they have passed. Well, he still didn’t like the fact that Jesus could have been arrested.
“Do you think our training’s gone well?” No one responds so John continues, “I think it has. It helps not having to pass an exam though, right? Oh, you don’t think there will be an exam at the end of this do you?”
“It’s not about passing exams, you idiot. This is Jesus, it’s more than that,” says Peter.
“It’s about the New Kingdom,” says James.
“The power and the glory, baby,” says Jude.
“Oh yeah……!” adds Simon.
Smiles spread on the faces of all twelve.
Jesus finishes praying and comes over to the bus. He sees them all smiling.
“What a scary sight.”
Philip has the driving duties today so he starts up the bus and sets off. “Jericho here we come.”
They are all looking forward to this trip.
“About time too, thought we’d never get to go,” says Jude.
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br /> Thaddy is thinking out loud, “I heard the house is so big, we can all have a room each.”
Simon nods in agreement, “I heard they have servants.”
“Oh, if that’s the case, I’ll have breakfast in bed in the morning,” says Peter.
As Philip drives along Kirenth promenade - a wide, straight road, lined with palm trees, he slows right down to read a road sign. “Am I on the right road? Do we need to take the next left, boss?”
Nathaniel notices a street sign. “Over there, we’re on Kirenth promenade.”
“I’m sure Herod has a palace round here somewhere, or he did at one time,” says Nathaniel.
John looks out of the window at the huge mansions, so this is where all the top celebrities and sports stars live. We’re so close, let’s hope nothing else stops us now.
They had been invited to stay several weeks ago by the Tabinsteins, a very wealthy banking family. Unfortunately a sickness in Samaria, of all places, had meant that Jesus had changed his plans and gone there to do a Heal and Speak. John tries not to get too excited; with Jesus things can change in an instant.
“Phil, that’s what you’re looking for,” says Jesus pointing to the next turn.
Philip indicates and turns left only to see a barrier a hundred metres further down the road and next to it a small office with two security guards.
“Look at all the signs: Private Residential Area, No Through Road, By Appointment Only, This is a surveillance district, Oh, No Stopping At Any Time,” says Philip.
He drives up to the barrier and a guard comes over to the minibus. Philip winds the window down.
“Hi, er, hi, I’m looking for…” he fumbles for the address he has written down somewhere.
Peter leans over from the passenger seat. “We’re here to stay with the Tabinsteins, they’re friends of ours, you know.”
“I know who you are,” says the guard, “we’ve been expecting you.” He waves over the other guard.
“Oh no, they’re gonna arrest us,” says Thomas.
John, sitting next to Thomas, thumps him.
The guard peers into the bus, “which one of you is Jesus?”
Jesus smiles to the guard and gets out of the bus. The three men then walk to the office talking.