Maximus

by Richard L. Black

  Maximus looked at Androcles. “Let’s visit Jershon. We can watch the road from there.” Androcles nodded his agreement, and they were off again.

  “Welcome, my sons,” Jershon said as they entered the camp. “You will join us for our evening meal?” Jershon stated more than asked.

  “Thank you, yes, if it wouldn’t be too much trouble,” Maximus responded. He noticed that Sariah was already talking quietly with Androcles. Liora was helping Naomi. She gave him a warm smile, which made his heart pound in his chest.

  Jershon told them of his journey to the temple that morning to make an offering and of the crowds in the city. “Too many of them come to be seen of men, I fear. Humility seems to be lacking among my people,” Jershon observed. “I will be glad to be back in Capernaum soon.” With Jershon’s words, an uncomfortable quiet settled over the small camp.

  Soon everyone gathered around to partake of the meal. Liora knelt beside Maximus. He could feel her warmth next to him.

  As they began to eat, a lighthearted conversation ensued about Roman baths. It was a sign to Maximus that they had been fully accepted into this family, despite their differences. Jershon was almost jovial as he kidded Androcles about his shaving. It was a wonderful evening with easy talk and intimate familiarity. Maximus felt at home.

  After the meal, Maximus helped Liora clean up. They whispered quietly and sought chances to touch shoulders and hands. Jershon and Naomi seemed comfortable with the interactions between Androcles and Sariah. They were sitting so close to each other that a sharp sword couldn’t have passed between them.

  Maximus was enjoying Liora’s company and her confident and soothing voice as she spoke; he could listen to her talk all night. Then Liora said matter-of-factly, “We will be leaving soon, Jacob.”

  Maximus looked deep into her eyes. “Yes, I know.”

  Placing her warm hand on his forearm, Liora looked up at him and boldly asked, “Will you be coming with us?”

  Maximus was shaken. How different this was from the quick decisions he made in battle. He felt helpless to answer this beautiful woman’s simple inquiry. “I can’t answer that yet,” was all he managed to say as he looked away from her. She left her hand on his arm and leaned on his shoulder. The feel and scent of her hair was intoxicating.

  He closed his eyes and breathed deeply. “I want to answer you,” he continued, “but we still have much work to do in the next couple of days. I can’t guess what that will bring. Has your uncle set a specific day for your departure?”

  “He said we would stay through the Sabbath and leave the following day.” Liora put her arm through his.

  Maximus placed his rugged hand on her smooth cheek and whispered in her ear. “Let’s just enjoy our time together now and not worry about tomorrow. I love you, Liora. That won’t end in two days.”

  Liora smiled, still leaning her head on his shoulder, and held back tears. Maximus put his arm around her, pulling her close.

  The two must have crossed some line in their behavior because Jershon said suddenly, “Jacob, Liora, come join us by the fire.”

  Maximus was reluctant to release his hold on her, but Liora stiffened at her uncle’s voice and quickly obeyed, pulling away. Maximus followed, and they sat together on the ground near Naomi, who smiled kindly at them.

  “We are grateful you have joined us, my sons,” Jershon began. “Jacob, you said you had work to do in the next couple of days; can you share with us the nature of your work?”

  Maximus began to explain cautiously. “Our interest is to see a peaceful Passover here in Jerusalem. Although Rome rules in Judaea, it is done loosely. The people are free to come and go as they please, and normal life carries on.” Maximus did not want to get into a political debate. “Pilate and the leaders of the Jews do not want anything to happen that could spark revolt or rebellion. The presence of Jesus of Nazareth poses a dilemma, however. It is not Rome that objects to the teachings of Jesus. It is not Rome that fears he is a threat. That is what we came here to determine; we have made our report to Pontius Pilate, and I believe he agrees with us. However, the Sanhedrin and the Pharisees and Sadducees may spark a conflict. The chief priests have been pestering Pilate ever since Jesus arrived in Jerusalem. Jesus is plaguing them, not Rome. Our work is to assure that Pilate stays his hand and is not swayed by the accusations of the Sanhedrin.”

  “What exactly do you mean by ‘stays his hand’?” Jershon asked.

  “The leaders of the Jews seek to arrest Jesus on charges of blasphemy, which I understand is a capital offense under Jewish law. But blasphemy is no crime under Roman law, so the chief priests would have to make a false charge of treason, which does warrant capital punishment under Roman law. The Sanhedrin may clamor for Jesus’s death, but Pilate alone holds the authority to execute the sentence. He may release him with a flogging, or jail him for a time, but I don’t think sufficient evidence can be found to warrant a sentence of death. Rome gains nothing by aiding in the death of an innocent man,” Maximus concluded.

  Liora looked up at him, admiring his intelligence and his ability to clarify a difficult subject.

  “This seems like such a dark and serious subject,” interjected Naomi. “Can we talk of something happier?”

  “You are right, my good wife,” Jershon agreed. “We should be talking of happier things—like our new grandson!”

  “Oh, I miss him so,” exclaimed Naomi. “I am so anxious to return home.”

  Liora leaned into Maximus as melancholy with the thought of leaving him overcame her. “Everything will turn out all right,” he whispered.

  Liora took comfort in the reassurance of his voice. She felt safe in the embrace of his arms. She was startled when he suddenly moved away from her and stood up.

  All evening Maximus had kept one eye on the road into Jerusalem from the east through the Kidron Valley below. It was late and few people were on the road. He noticed a group of nine or ten men walking quickly down into the valley toward the city. He was too far away to make out faces but close enough to recognize the shape of two of the large fishermen from Galilee that were close associates of Jesus. Then he spotted the recognizable figure of Jesus, wearing a white head covering, walking briskly with them. Maximus wished he could run down the hill and warn them not to go into the city, but instead he just watched as they reached the city wall and entered the gate that was left open during Passover.

  It is beginning, he thought. He wondered if he and Androcles should follow them. They wouldn’t be going to the temple this late. They were most likely staying someplace for the evening and would remain there through the Sabbath.

  “The Nazarene?” It was Androcles’s voice behind him.

  “Yes, it appears so,” answered Maximus.

  “Should we follow him?”

  “No, he will surely be out of sight before we could catch up to him,” said Maximus. “Let’s just enjoy the evening here. We can go back to Ezra’s later.” They returned to the campfire and sat down. Maximus announced that they had seen Jesus returning to the city.

  “Is he safe in Jerusalem?” Jershon asked.

  “No, I don’t believe he is,” Maximus answered. “He is in the company of his trusted men, but he is brave to return to Jerusalem, given the mood of the leaders. He obviously does not fear them.”

  “Surely lookouts have seen him enter the city, just as you did, and followed him to his destination,” observed David.

  “Perhaps you are right, David,” said Maximus. “We will have to wait till tomorrow.” But Maximus was thinking like the general he was, calculating the danger Jesus was in all the time and what he could possibly do to intervene. Liora sensed his aloofness but assumed he was contemplating her departure and their separation. She had no idea she was the farthest thing from his mind at that moment. They all talked until well past dark, when Jershon announced it was time to retire. They said their good-byes, and Maximus and Androcles promised to return before the Sabbath.

  The two Rom
ans walked into the darkness, far enough away from the camp to talk without being overheard. On the side of the hill above the Kidron, they talked late into the night about Liora and Sariah, returning to Rome or not returning to Rome, and doing what they could for the Nazarene.

  Unexpectedly, a group of men exited the east gate of Jerusalem. Once again, Maximus and Androcles could see but not be seen. In the light afforded by the stars, they agreed it was the Nazarene and a handful of men.

  “He leaves untouched,” Maximus said with noticeable relief. But the small group did not follow the road to Bethany. Instead the men followed a path that led into a thick grove of olive trees a few hundred yards from their position on the hillside. Maximus and Androcles stared at each other. Were they spending the night there or taking a different route back to Bethany? It was too dark to see exactly where they had gone.

  It was well past midnight. They were both exhausted, and they decided they should just sleep where they were. They had spent too many nights recently on soft beds of new straw. A night on the hard ground might help them think more clearly.

  Maximus lay awake processing the day’s events. Androcles was soon snoring. Shadows moving in the distance beyond his sleeping friend caught his attention. Maximus could see another group of men emerging from the city, walking down the hill into the valley, and proceeding up the hill in the same direction he had seen Jesus go earlier. He shook Androcles, who sat up grumpily. Maximus motioned for him to look in the direction of the men, a few of whom carried torches and lanterns. It appeared some members of the Sanhedrin accompanied them.

  “They go to arrest the Nazarene,” Maximus said quietly. They watched as the men disappeared into the darkness of the grove in the distance. They could make out the lights of the torches, compromising the group’s position in the grove of trees, but it was too far to see what was actually happening.

  “Let’s go!” said Androcles as he stood.

  “No, let’s wait. Surely they will take him back to the city. We can drop in behind them without being noticed and follow them.”

  Androcles agreed this was a better plan. They kept watch on the grove. Within a few minutes, the glow of the torches began to move toward the city. He stood and Androcles joined him, and together they followed the path to the valley. The group marched quickly toward the city gate, and Maximus and Androcles fell in at a safe distance behind. They could see Jesus in their midst.

  “Where do they take him?” Androcles whispered.

  “I don’t know. If nothing else, we should inform Pilate of the arrest. If they seek Jesus’s death, they will ultimately have to come to Pilate.” Maximus walked quickly ahead.

  39

  יום ששי

  Yom Shishi

  Maximus and Androcles reached Pilate’s palace in the early hours of Friday morning. In the dark they could see a guard sitting at the side of the gate. His lack of movement told Maximus he was asleep. The group they were following had obviously not come this way.

  Carefully Maximus gripped the guard’s javelin and then kicked him. “Get up, you lazy swine. Is this how you guard the property of Rome?” Maximus shouted.

  The guard awoke and stumbled to his feet, as Maximus wrestled away his javelin. Thinking he was being assaulted by two Jews, he reached for his short sword. Maximus deftly placed the tip of the javelin under his chin. “Not a wise move, my friend.” The guard released his sword and stood up straight. “Go awaken Pilate. We need to see him immediately.”

  The guard, by then coming out of his stupor, recognized Maximus and Androcles and turned to comply with his request. As the men entered the courtyard, another guard approached them with a lantern.

  “General Maximus requests an audience with the prefect,” the now-penitent guard said to his fellow soldier.

  The soldier carrying the lantern raised it to better see the faces of Maximus and Androcles. “This is highly irregular.”

  “So is sleeping on duty,” Maximus retorted. “At least under my command. I should have you both flogged.” His rank was known by now among the garrison in Jerusalem, and they, at least, afforded him the respect he deserved.

  “I’ll get him right away, sir.” The soldier hurried off.

  Maximus handed the javelin back to the guard. “Return to your post, and try to stay awake. A group of people will be coming this way, and we want to be told the moment they arrive.”

  The guard took the javelin from Maximus and walked quickly out the gate, securing the lock. Maximus was sure the soldier was now standing at full attention outside the large wooden door. Androcles chuckled.

  “What’s this all about?” Pilate said as he emerged from the shadows in his sleeping robe, wrapped in a blanket. His hair was disheveled and he lacked the bearing of a noble Roman. “Why was I awakened at this unseemly hour?” He rubbed his face and eyes, focusing on the two large men standing in front of him. “General Maximus?” he asked with uncertainty.

  “Yes, it is I,” answered Maximus, stepping forward.

  “Is there trouble?” Pilate asked with apprehension.

  “I’m not sure. They have arrested the Nazarene.”

  “Who has arrested him?” Pilate asked.

  “It seems members of the Sanhedrin have taken him, with the help of the temple guard.” Maximus explained what he and Androcles had observed earlier.

  “Where have they taken him?” Pilate asked.

  “We thought they might bring him here, but they have not arrived. I do not know where they have gone. We thought you should know.”

  “Yes, yes,” Pilate commented, still groggy. “Thank you, but I don’t see cause for such alarm. Certainly nothing will be done at this hour. I’m going back to bed.” Pilate dismissed them.

  Maximus shrugged, and he and Androcles headed for the gate. Outside the palace, they heard a commotion down the street. A group of people, now led by Roman auxiliaries, was headed their way. Maximus and Androcles stepped aside as the guard at the palace gate stood taller and took a more menacing stance than he’d had a few minutes before.

  Maximus could see it was the same group he and Androcles had spotted outside the city. Four guards led the procession, and following closely behind were members of the Sanhedrin. To the rear, escorted by the temple guards, was the Nazarene. His hands were bound and his feet hobbled. His face was drawn and hollow, but his demeanor was calm. The soldiers at his side held him by the sleeves of his robe. Maximus had seen many prisoners in his day. Most had been beaten into submission before they reached him, but all were arrogant and defiant in his presence. In his meekness, Jesus stood confidently magnificent among his captors.

  One of the Sanhedrin stepped forward to address the guard at the gate. “We seek an audience with the prefect.”

  “For what cause?” asked the guard, who was wide-awake now and exercising his authority.

  “We need the ruling of Rome. We seek his judgment on an accused criminal,” said the high priest loudly. His voice echoed off the surrounding stone walls in the early morning quiet.

  The guard turned slightly to look at Maximus as if seeking advice. Maximus ignored him, leaving him to act on his own. Intimidated by the Sanhedrin and the presence of Roman soldiers he recognized, he opened the gate to the courtyard and disappeared inside. Maximus and Androcles remained in the shadows.

  A few minutes passed before the guard returned. “Pilate will see you,” he announced as he opened both gates wide to let the group enter.

  The soldiers in front began to move forward, but the members of the Sanhedrin remained in place. A spokesman came forward, saying, “Our traditions are different from Pilate’s. If we could ask the prefect to come outside to meet with us—it is the Passover, and we are forbidden to be in the presence of leavened bread.” The guard stood still for a moment and then retreated into the courtyard.

  Maximus whispered to Androcles, “They come seeking the punishment of an innocent man, yet they can’t be in the presence of leavened bread because their
religion prohibits it? Ezra was right—vipers and hypocrites.”

  The guard soon appeared with three other guards from inside the palace. They stood two by two on either side of the gate. Pilate’s assistant appeared next and behind him was Pilate, now dressed in a fine robe, his hair combed. “You seek an audience with the prefect,” boomed Pilate. “You had better have a good reason to request my presence at this hour.”

  A priest stepped forward. In the moonlight, Maximus now recognized him as Caiaphas, the high priest. He motioned to the guards to bring Jesus forward. The temple guards roughly pushed him to the ground near the bottom of the steps at Pilate’s feet.

  Pilate looked down at the prisoner kneeling at his feet and asked the priests, “What charges do you bring against this man?”

  “If he weren’t a criminal, we wouldn’t be here,” Caiaphas rejoined.

  Pilate stood indignant. “You talk in circles, Caiaphas. If you bring me a prisoner at this hour of the morning, I expect you to have proper charges. If you have no charges, then go. Charge him by your own laws!”

  Caiaphas threw up his hands in frustration. “This man has committed high treason. He is a threat not only to Judaea but also to the peace of Rome.” Caiaphas looked at Pilate. “You know it is not within our power to punish any man for a capital crime that deserves death. It requires not only your voice but your hand.”

  Pilate was taken aback by Jesus’s calm, majestic appearance. “So you seek his death? On what act of high treason do you base your charges?” Pilate spat back.

  The high priest quickly answered, “He claims he is king of the Jews!”

  Pilate stared down at Jesus and asked, “How do you answer your accusers, Nazarene?” Jesus made no reply. Unbeknownst to Pilate, Jesus had already answered his accusers directly at the home of Caiaphas not long before.

  In his wisdom, Pilate turned his back on the frothing crowd that had begun to assemble. “Bring forth the accused,” he said to the soldiers standing beside Jesus, and he returned to the courtyard that served as Pilate’s hall of judgment. Pilate was confident that the members of the Sanhedrin would not follow.