Final Confrontation

by D. Brian Shafer

  “Not every creature with a free will turns on his Creator,” said Crispin. “I have not. Nor has Michael, nor Gabriel. Nor has the remaining Host. Freedom does not necessitate an evil choice—it merely allows for it.”

  “So when will Jesus reveal Himself?” asked Serus. “Being consigned to using men in His quest, He must reveal Himself to them at some point.”

  As he spoke, one of the servants whispered something to the chief servant, who made a horrified expression. The bridegroom spoke something back to the servant, who went to the others to report their unfortunate circumstances. Their master had no more wine! Mary heard these things and whispered to Jesus that they had run out of wine and that He must do something about it.

  “What have I to do with you in this matter?” He asked. “It’s not yet time to begin such things.”

  Mary turned to the chief servant and told him to do whatever Jesus said. The angels watched as Jesus motioned the chief servant over to Him and told him to fill some water pots to the brim with fresh water. The man looked at Him strangely. But with Mary nodding he should comply, he shrugged and ordered the other servants to do just that. Mary motioned to the host all would be well.

  After the pots were filled Jesus told the servant to draw from one of the pots and give it to the host. The host and the other guests watched the unusual drama unfolding. They had never been to such a feast! The host looked at Jesus and then tasted from the cup. It was wine. It was the sweetest wine he had ever tasted!

  Crispin looked at Serus.

  “In answer to your question, Serus, I would say Jesus has begun to reveal Himself today,” he said. “At Cana.”

  Chronicles of the Host

  First Days

  Indeed at Cana, in Galilee, did the Host witness the first of many miracles Jesus would perform for men and women. It made sense to us that humans—being such limited creatures—would be drawn to such workings—and in fact they were. Following the event at Cana, these men close to Jesus, called His disciples, were convinced He was everything John had said. How better for the Son of Man to represent the mission He had come to complete than to demonstrate through such powers He was also the Son of God?

  During a visit to the Temple in the Passover time, the zeal of the Lord overcame Jesus and He scattered the money-changing thieves who sat in the court. More profiteers than prophets, these men sat at counting tables exchanging Temple coins for the coins of the realm so pilgrims might purchase animals for sacrifice.

  Because the Temple controlled the rate of exchange in commerce, they made a huge profit at the same time. But Jesus, declaring the Temple to be His “Father’s house” and a “house of prayer” drove the counters out with a whip, and overturned their tables, making quite a name for Himself both among those who supported Him and those who deemed Him a threat…

  30 A.D.

  “Quite a show your Jesus put on at the Temple today,” snickered Lucifer.

  Gabriel looked at Lucifer, who was standing with several higher-ranking devils outside of the place in Jerusalem where Jesus was staying during the Passover. Several dozen warrior angels under Michael’s command stood sentry in and around the house. Lucifer dared not enter, but instead exercised what he considered his right to roam as freely as he might. Several of the fallen angels who were with him laughed mockingly at his comment.

  “The Lord has zeal for His Father’s house,” said Gabriel. “Something you never completely managed.” Lucifer peeked inside the window at Jesus, who was eating a light meal in the dimly lit room.

  “Oh, I had zeal,” said Lucifer. “But I also have a mind of my own. That is the difference between us, Gabriel. You exercise your mind on behalf of the Most High. I exercise mine in spite of Him. My zeal has lead to freedom—yours has imprisoned you and every other creature who remains the slave of the Most High.”

  As they spoke, a cloaked figure hurried down the street and rapped lightly on the door to the house. He was a man of some importance if his garb was any indication—in fact he bore the trappings of a member of the High Council of the Jews. But what was he doing here?

  “Ah, Nicodemus,” said Lucifer. “I know he has been troubled by Jesus of late. But to show up in person is quite astonishing.”

  Gabriel smiled a knowing smile.

  “Yes, Nicodemus has been troubled by our Lord,” admitted Gabriel. “However, I think you will be disappointed as to his appearance.”

  Lucifer cast a menacing glance at the angel who stood behind him, assuring him that Nicodemus would cause trouble for Jesus. He turned back to Gabriel.

  “Indeed? Let us listen then, archangel. Perhaps one of us will become educated.”

  “Enter, Nicodemus,” said Jesus, opening the door.

  Nicodemus, a distinguished looking gentleman with a salt-and-pepper beard looked about him as if to make sure he was unseen and then entered the little house which belonged to a friend of Jesus. Jesus gestured toward food and drink, but the priest waved it off with a thank you. They sat down and for a few silent seconds looked at each other.

  “Rabbi,” Nicodemus began. “I represent some in the Council who know You are no ordinary Man.”

  Nicodemus stood to speak, as he was quite nervous.

  “We have heard of the wedding in Cana. We saw Your action today in the Temple, and might I add I quite agree with You in that regard. We know You are a Man sent from God, for nobody could do the things You have been doing unless the Lord be with Him.”

  Jesus remained silent for a moment. Nicodemus looked at Him, not exactly sure what else he wanted to say, but needed to express some sort of confidence in this Man from Nazareth. He began to speak again when Jesus interrupted him.

  “Nicodemus, you have said many things,” Jesus answered. “But there is only one thing that matters. You must be born again.”

  Nicodemus was confused. What did He mean by this?

  “Rabbi, how can a man be born again? Can a man enter into his mother’s womb again after he has already been born?”

  “Nicodemus, your heart is sincere in its search. But I must tell you that if you are to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, you must be born not only physically but of the Spirit.”

  Nicodemus sat down, perplexed and was framing a response in his mind when Jesus continued.

  “Don’t be amazed at what I have said,” Jesus said. “The flesh gives birth to flesh, and the Spirit gives birth to spirit. That is why I have said you must be born again.”

  The old priest made motions as if he were trying to understand, but could not grasp what Jesus was saying.

  “Nicodemus, just as the wind comes and goes and nobody can tell where it came from nor where it is headed, so it is with those who are born of the Spirit.”

  “But Rabbi, how can these things be?” he finally blurted out.

  Jesus smiled at the old man.

  “You are a teacher in Israel. And yet you do not understand the most basic truth of the kingdom? The Lord God loved this fallen world so much that He gave His only Son, so that whoever shall believe in Him will have eternal life.”

  He placed his hand on Nicodemus’ shoulder.

  “Nicodemus, whoever believes on the Son will be saved by the Father and he shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven! The Light has arrived, but darkness will not receive it.”

  He glanced at the window as he spoke, making eye contact with Lucifer who peered at Him through the opening. Lucifer stood his ground and glared back at Jesus.

  “This is why condemnation has come into the world,” He continued, looking at Lucifer. He pointed toward the blackness of the window. “Darkness hates the light. But whoever loves the light comes to the light. And this, Nicodemus, is what you must do if you are to enter the kingdom.”

  After Nicodemus departed, Lucifer watched angels ascending and descending upon the house. He snorted at the sheer number of angels encamped about Jesus.

  “You must think I am very dangerous,” said Lucifer sarcastically. “I would never touch the Lor
d’s person…not now anyway.”

  “You will never be allowed that opportunity, Lucifer,” said Gabriel, who had moved between Lucifer and the window. Lucifer smirked and stepped back. He looked toward Nicodemus.

  “I won’t need to touch him,” he said. “As long as there are humans, the Lord will be quite accessible. Take this Nicodemus. Here is a complete fool who has apparently been taken in by Jesus and his nonsense world of miracles and rebirths. ”

  He began snickering.

  “Can you imagine what the other Jews will say when he reports to them the things Jesus told him?” he asked, looking back at the angels who were with him. “Born again! Pellecus will have quite a time in that meeting, I’m sure.”

  “You’re wrong, Lucifer,” said Gabriel. “You’re actually quite afraid of Nicodemus and others who are listening to Jesus. Didn’t you hear? He just told Nicodemus how he might enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The way is clear.”

  “Not yet,” said Lucifer. “The Lord cheapens Heaven by allowing entrance to any human fool with a bit of interest. But He also said it was a spiritual course. I suggest that humans will never enter the Kingdom because mere humans shall never overcome their fall at Eden. Humans have never understood spiritual matters.”

  Gabriel watched as Jesus extinguished the little lamp and the house darkened.

  “You’re right, Lucifer,” said Gabriel. “Humans shall never overcome Eden. But then, perhaps it will not be a mere human who overcomes Eden.”

  “Light and dark…a new birth…eternal life…”

  Lucifer repeated the words for Pellecus and Kara.

  The three had met to discuss a new strategy conceived by Pellecus. It was his contention that as long as Jesus and John continued to work together unopposed, their influence would only continue to grow. Even now they were both baptizing at different spots in the Jordan. Such coordination was devastating.

  “Of course you know what this means,” said Pellecus.

  Lucifer nodded. Kara merely looked deeply concerned.

  “Light and dark. New birth. What exactly do these cryptic phrases mean?” asked Kara. “Are they a key to Jesus’ destruction?”

  “No, Kara,” said Lucifer. “They are a key to our own destruction.”

  “And the deliverance of humanity, apparently,” added Pellecus. “Although I must admit it is rather discouraging to realize that Heaven’s doors are open to such creatures.”

  “How so?” asked Kara, toppling a bust of a Greek hero in the small temple in which they were speaking outside of Caesarea. “The Lord will never again allow corruption in Heaven. Not anymore…”

  Lucifer and Pellecus looked at Kara, astonished at his stupidity.

  “Nevertheless, I heard Jesus tell Nicodemus that he might be born into the Kingdom of God by the Spirit of God,” said Lucifer, almost pleading with his voice as he tried to figure out the mysterious words of Jesus. “He cheapens Heaven with such grace. But I was certainly not going to let on to Gabriel that I was so alarmed at this business of a new birth.”

  “Still, the plan must somehow be worked through the Christ,” reasoned Pellecus. “The key lies in destroying Him.”

  “And don’t forget John,” added Kara.

  “True, Kara,” said Lucifer. “John’s preaching has legitimized Jesus—he has paved the way for his cousin. Perhaps it’s time we split up this relationship.”

  “Precisely,” said Pellecus, happy at last to bring the meeting back to its reason for having been called. “John and Jesus must be diminished. If we can discredit John, who introduced Jesus to the world, then perhaps Jesus’ reputation will fall as well. Then we would be rid of both of them.”

  Lucifer thought for a moment. Looking over the sloping Greek countryside, he briefly remembered the days in Heaven when he enjoyed his authority and position as the Anointed Cherub. Now he was a fugitive trying desperately to win back a measure of the authority that had been lost to him.

  “Agreed,” he said finally. “Kara will take on the responsibility of John’s destruction. Do what you must to bring discord within his ranks; cause strife between his disciples and the vermin Jesus is gathering around Him. In the end, destroy him.”

  Kara nodded.

  “And you, Pellecus, will have the honor of stirring up those enemies of Jesus who have more lofty motivations,” said Pellecus. “I mean, of course, the priests—the Pharisees and Sadducees and those aligned with the Herods. Fan the fear that is already in their rotten hearts concerning Jesus and bring them to a point of collusion.”

  He snickered.

  “The fools will destroy the very One who was sent to help them.”

  “That is something humans are quite good at,” said Kara.

  “They have had a good teacher,” said Pellecus.

  Lucifer smiled.

  CHAPTER 7

  “I am Herod Antipas. I am king now!”

  Gehazi, one of John’s disciples, was seated on the riverbank resting. The sun felt particularly hot that day. Even while attending his master, John, in the water, it seemed as if his head was on fire. He shaded his eyes and looked to the sky as if expecting to see some clouds moving in. Instead he saw only the brightness of the burning sun.

  “What I wouldn’t give for a cloud the size of a man’s hand right now,” he said to Jadok, another disciple. The two men moved closer to the tree, taking advantage of what little shade it offered. Jadok, a younger man, who had left his father’s trade as a baker to follow after John, laughed.

  “Well, we have no Elijah here,” he said, looking at John in the middle of the river. “But we do have quite a prophet.”

  “Yes, but with Elijah’s spirit,” said Gehazi. “Just one little cloud…”

  The men laughed.

  Unseen by either man, Kara appeared and took a seat nearby. With him was Berenius, who had come to assist in the mission to bring John down.

  “There is One who has that Spirit upon Him,” said Jadok.

  “Jesus of Nazareth,” said Gehazi. “The Lamb of God! Such exciting times.”

  Berenius moved in closer to Gehazi and whispered in his mind.

  “Have you noticed that ever since Jesus arrived we are baptizing fewer and fewer people…?

  “The crowds are down these days,” Gehazi said, squinting at the three or four people gathered at the riverside with some of the other disciples of John. “Seems like Jesus has taken them away.”

  Jadok looked about him.

  “I haven’t really thought about it,” he said. “But I suppose you are right.”

  The two remained silent for a moment, until someone called out to Gehazi. He looked up and recognized Justus, a friend from Judea who was in the company of several others. They were traveling through the area and had heard of John’s ministry at Jordan.

  The interruption annoyed Kara, who decided to wait and see what might develop.”Gehazi!” Justus called again. The two men embraced. “I thought I might find you here with John.”

  “Justus, my old friend,” said Gehazi. “Take refreshment.” He pointed to the others. “All of you.”

  The men sat down and ate and drank. John had completed his baptisms and was joining some of the other disciples down the river. They all watched him climb up the bank.

  “Your master has made quite a name for himself,” said Justus, wiping his mouth after taking a drink from a waterskin. “Just as mine is doing.”

  “Your master?”

  “Yes,” said Justus. “Jesus, the Nazarene. He baptized me two days ago a few miles up river.” Kara and Berenius looked at each other knowingly. Berenius then moved back over to Gehazi.

  “I wonder how many Jesus is baptizing these days…?”

  “How are the crowds with Jesus?” asked Gehazi. “As you can see it seems baptisms are no longer what the people are wanting.”

  Justus was puzzled.

  “How many have you baptized today?” he asked.

  Gehazi looked at Jadok.

  “Not sur
e. Around six I think.”

  “Jesus and his disciples are baptizing many more than that every day,” said Justus. “They are quite busy.”

  “Interesting that the man who introduced Jesus is now being forgotten by him and his disciples…”

  “Er…does Jesus speak of John?” Gehazi asked, as if somewhat bored with the conversation.

  “Not really,” said Justus.

  “Why should He concern Himself with John? He has become the greater Light…”

  “We must be off, my friend,” said Justus. “We must be in Jerusalem this evening. But tell your master if he wants to baptize more people, he should move closer to where Jesus is!”

  Gehazi watched as the men mounted and began their homeward journey. Jadok looked at Gehazi, trying to figure out what he was thinking. Finally Gehazi turned to Jadok, obviously upset.

  “Let’s go speak with John,” he said.

  Kara smiled at Bernius.

  “Yes,” said Kara. “Let’s go speak with John!”

  “I told you a man can receive nothing unless it is given him from Heaven,” John said. “Gehazi, you must understand. Jesus will increase even as I decrease. All of you must realize this.”

  The men sat around the fire, watching the flames dance in the evening coolness. Gehazi had brought the subject of Jesus’ disciples baptizing many more than John’s, and found comfort in the fact that he was not the only one who had observed this.

  “But master,” he said. “You are the one who baptized Him. You are the one who bore witness of Him. It seems somehow unfitting that you should now bow so low before Him. It seems unfitting…”

  John stood up.

  “Brothers,” he began. “He that comes from above is already above all. Jesus is the Son who is loved by the Father. And eternal life will come from Him—not from me. He must therefore increase while I decrease. It must be.”

  Berenius looked disappointed at John’s attitude. Most humans would have become petty and jealous. And yet John was staying true to his Lord. It didn’t make sense. And it was proving difficult. Kara saw the anguish in Berenius’ face.