“Yes,” said Crispin. “Jesus is the Man for which the whole world has been looking. Unfortunately they don’t have the eyes to find Him.”
CHAPTER 8
“Jesus intends to do what the prophets could never accomplish.”
“Keep an eye on Him,” said one of the warriors following Jesus.
“I have Him,” said the other.
The two angels assigned by Michael to stay with Jesus at all times had become particularly interested in one man since Jesus left Nazareth. It was the man who had been following Jesus ever since the altercation began—the one who had made eye contact with Him while He was being hustled away.
Jesus was walking along the road leading away from the city and the man was catching up to Him. One of the warriors was at the ready as he approached Jesus.
Just as he was about to call out, Jesus turned and looked at the man. He was about 34 and looked like an ordinary laborer. He also bore the marks of many fights on his body. Jesus locked eyes with him once more and the man trembled a bit.
“I…I saw You in the street,” he began. “Back there.”
“And I saw you,” Jesus said.
They stood there in silence for a moment. The man acted as if he wanted to say something but could not find the right words for it. Finally, in a stumbling manner, he began speaking.
“I am not certain why I am here,” he continued. “But I wanted You to know that when You looked at me I knew You were innocent. I have seen many men die—but they were always guilty…or deserved it. Except for one…many years ago.”
Jesus remained silent as he continued.
“I was prepared to step in and help You!” he said with urgency. His eyes fell to the ground. “But…I only spill Roman blood. My father was killed by the Romans. Or at least he may as well have been. He was butchered by Antipas’ father, the Herod called the Great. I say death to all who play the harlot with Rome.”
As he spoke his mind burned with anger at the memory of his father being taken away while his mother pleaded mercy from Herod all those years ago. He looked hard at Jesus.
“I am not sorry for the men I have killed since then” he said. “I have dedicated my life to overthrowing this bloody tyrant and seeing my country free again. I seek a new kingdom for Israel.”
Jesus motioned for the man to sit beside Him under a small tree near the road. The warriors moved in close just in case the man might try something.
“We are alike then. I, too, wish to see My people set free,” said Jesus. “I, too, am looking for another Kingdom.”
“Then You are a Zealot?” whispered the man. He laughed aloud. “Excuse me for laughing, but You don’t look like the sort of Man who would spill the blood of others.”
“I am zealous, Simon,” answered Jesus. “But not like you. I have not come to spill the blood of others.”
Simon was astonished that the man knew his name.
“Who are You?” he asked.
“Jesus of Nazareth.” He laughed. “My home town has very little use for Me it seems.”
“Nor does mine,” Simon said, a far-away look in his eyes.
“One day you shall find your home, Simon.”
He looked up toward the sky. “Someday we both shall discover that Kingdom for which we long.”
Lucifer sat silently at the large marble table gracing one of Tiberias’ rooms at his Capri palace. Before him and around the table stood the three angels in whom he confided most, and to whom he had given the greatest authority on earth.
Rugio, who was commander of all of the warriors and whose special delight was in the oppression of people through sickness and disease, sat opposite him. Next to Rugio was Kara, whose cunning and ability to gather information made him one of the most feared angels in Lucifer’s domain. He specialized in encouraging occult behavior among humans. Finally there was Pellecus, the leader of Lucifer’s philosophical wing whose plan it was to bring all the world under one humanistic, yet decidedly Luciferian religion. The three of them made up the leading angels who stood in opposition to the plans of the Most High on earth.
Lucifer glanced through a window of the Domus Augustus, the palace built by Augustus on the Palatine Hill overlooking Rome. In truth, Augustus, who had become the first true emperor of Rome, lived a very simple, almost Spartan lifestyle. The Domus Augustus was an incredibly beautiful place. Ornate and marbled, adorned with statuary and housing an enormous library, the Domus had become the center of imperial life.
Rome under Augustus had seen much construction and the emperor had personally overseen the erecting of such structures as the Senate House, the Temple of Apollo, the Temple of Jupiter, the Temple of Mars and other religious sites. He also oversaw an expansion of the Circus Maximus, the aqueducts which were falling into ruin, and many roads and bridges. Being something of a showman at heart, Augustus had instituted great gladiator shows and games that saw the participation of athletes from all over the empire. Augustus was a consolidator and his reign was seen as a time of universal peace, the Pax Romana.
“The Romans have certainly impressed the world,” mused Lucifer as he turned back to his three aides. “They rule a filthy rabble with blood and carnage, and have forged an empire mightier than most. Jewish stubbornness and the Roman virtue of law and order will prove useful to us in Judea.”
Lucifer sat at the enormous marbled table. Outside a great roar went up from the crowd at the Circus where Tiberias had recently convened a game. The others sat at the table awaiting further direction from their master. He looked at Kara and, without saying so, demanded a report from him.
“My lord, before I give my report on the enemy let me say that you are doing a magnificent work here in Rome with Tiberias,” Kara began.
Rugio and Pellecus sneered at his pandering.
“You have managed to fan his debauchery so quickly,” he added. “Augustus was so…so bent on modeling simple Roman morality. But Tiberias. Now there is a man who has managed to degrade himself and the empire by turning everything over to his trusted Sejanus while he lounges about at Capri. Excellent work, my prince!”
“My time in Rome will be short, Kara,” said Lucifer. “True, it is expedient that the emperor remain numb to matters of state. Sejanus has a bitter hatred of the Jews. His appointment of Pilate over Judea is evidence enough of that. Pilate is concerned only with keeping his standing in imperial politics. Men are such fools.”
He walked to a map of the empire that hung in the council room. Touching a point on the large hanging until it actually burned through he then commented in a halting, almost whispering voice, “But the real war is not in Rome—it is here in Jerusalem. Always Jerusalem.”
“My prince, the enemy is gathering around Him certain men He is calling disciples,” interjected Pellecus, trying to direct the conversation from the melancholy turn it was taking. “A rough lot of men. Common fishermen, laborers, the dregs of society really. Not one noble in the bunch of them. Not one priest. Not even a Maccabbee.”
“Ah, but they have among them a descendant of their greatest king,” said Lucifer.
“Of course you mean King David,” said Kara. “But which one of these men validates the others?”
Pellecus only shook his head at Kara’s ignorance.
“He means Jesus,” said Pellecus. “He is descended from David just as the prophecy foretold.”
“But these others—these disciples He is gathering about Him—are rather ordinary,” said Rugio. “Peter seems quite unstable. And his simple brother Andrew. The Lord pulled them right off their fishing boat. Not much of an army, if you ask my opinion.”
Lucifer smiled and added, “Apart from the Zealot who has joined them I have no regard for them at all.”
“Nevertheless they bear watching,” said Pellecus with caution. “As we have often seen, the Most High seems to relish taking ordinary men and doing the spectacular with them.”
Rugio grunted an affirmation.
“What Jesus wishes
to do with these men He is gathering is not the issue,” said Lucifer, becoming upset. “We must organize against the plan of the Most High. Jesus has come—the Seed of Eve has arrived. We must continue to deal with it or be destroyed.”
“I for one have seen the threat all along,” said Kara, who stood to promote himself. “And as is well known throughout our world, I have disposed of John, with the help of Berenius. He languishes even now at the Antonia prison.”
Kara beamed with pride.
“And so my lord, I have been serving both you and the war’s outcome quite capably, I believe.”
“Sit down Kara,” said Lucifer, not even looking at the angel who humbly sat back down amid the snickering of Pellecus and Rugio.
“True, John had to be put away,” said Lucifer. “But in putting John away all we did was to increase the prominence of Jesus. Many of John’s followers are now beginning to rush to Him. The crowds are beginning to follow him. He is gaining a name among the people.” He looked at Rugio and added, “The common people.”
Rugio nodded, understanding.
“So Jesus is recruiting commoners for His leadership because He is building an army of common people to rise up and…”
“Not an army, Rugio,” corrected Lucifer. “A movement…a philosophy…a faith.”
“Then Jesus intends to do what the prophets were never able to accomplish,” said Pellecus. “He intends to regain the world by capturing the hearts of the people.” He looked at Lucifer meekly. “And in doing so to vanquish its present authority.”
Lucifer smiled.
“Have no fear, Pellecus. It is no secret the Seed has arrived to do me harm. But remember, my brothers, I shall not be the only spirit caught up in the wrath should the day ever come.”
A spirit suddenly rushed into the room, bowing low and begging audience with Lucifer and the others. This was Jerob, one of Rugio’s devils who had been assigned to the religious leadership in Judea. Lucifer looked at Rugio scornfully. Kara did likewise. Rugio walked over to the demon who had prostrated himself before the powerful fallen angels.
“Well?” growled Rugio, angry and humiliated that one of his own should interrupt this important council.
Jerob, who had been a wisdom angel in Heaven, kept his face toward the floor and began speaking. As he spoke his image became less and less human in form and took on the hideous ape-like appearance of most spirits of religion.
“Commander, I must report an incident involving Jesus,” he began.
Rugio shot a concerned look at Lucifer and then looked back at Jerob. Lucifer remained impassive.
Yes?” asked Rugio. “What about it?”
“It was at Capernaum,” Jerob began. “As you know, my lord, I have been the chief spirit of religion over that city for many human years. It has been my assigned task to fan into flames the rigid and selfish religion that the covenant with the Most High has become.
“Most recently I was in possession of a man who faithfully attends synagogue. He is married and has family. He is well-respected. And yet nobody was aware that this man had given himself over completely to his lust for religious intoxication. Thus he was quite useful to me in the religious community of Capernaum.”
“Go on,” said Rugio.
“Jesus came to Capernaum to teach in the synagogue.” He turned to Lucifer. “He is working miracles there. And He teaches with an authority unknown to these fools. You must do something, my prince. Everywhere He goes there is opposition and trouble…”
“Silence!” said Rugio. “Do not speak to our lord in so impertinent a manner!”
“Let him speak,” said Lucifer, glaring at Rugio. “Miracles? Teaching? Authority? Jesus is indeed beginning to trouble us. His opposition is growing. I’m gratified that even this idiotic warrior of yours can see that!” He turned back to Jerob. “Now what did Jesus do?”
“I immediately knew He had come into the synagogue,” said Jerob. “I intended to lie quietly within the man to avoid being detected. But suddenly, He looked in my direction and I began to scream out through the man at Jesus!”
“Astounding!” said Kara. “And why did you do such a foolish thing?”
“I was compelled,” said Jerob humbly. “This Jesus looked in my direction and I suddenly found myself wrestling with the man’s will to be set free.”
Jerob stood and explained the situation as if he was reliving the horrifying event in front of the angels. He looked pleadingly at Lucifer. “Faint as it was, the man’s desire for liberty was emboldened by the presence of Jesus and I found myself shrieking at Jesus to leave me alone. And I was not alone in this matter. I was accompanied by several other devils.”
“And what happened?” asked Pellecus anxiously. “How did you resist?”
“I thought to expose Him,” said Jerob. “I was desperate and thought if I made Him look ridiculous before the others in the synagogue it would bring trouble upon Him because of the offense He caused at Nazareth. I screamed out that He was the ‘Holy One of God.’ I intended to mock Him and make others think I was one of His disciples so as to discredit Him.”
“And…?” said Lucifer with a resigned demeanor.
“Most humiliating of all,” Jerob said, his head down, “Instead of responding to my accusations, Jesus turned to me and said, ‘Be quiet! And come out of him!’
“I fought the man as best I could. But now he desperately sought to be free. I threw him down in a savage fit, hoping to injure him and thus bring charges against Jesus—anything that might deliver me from this brutal power.”
He looked up quietly.
“In the end it was to no avail. I found myself thrown out and the man was uninjured. I have come to report this incident and to beg you for more spirits—legions of them. We cannot oppose this Man. I implore you, my prince, before we are all cast out and made powerless. Do something about Jesus…”
“Enough!” growled Rugio. “Get back to Capernaum! Rally the demons there and await further instructions. In the meantime continue your work. Continue the sickness and the religious deception among the people. Go!”
Jerob nodded and vanished.
There was a brief silence in the room as they considered what they had just heard. Finally Kara rose to speak.
“He has the authority to cast us out of men?” he said incredulously.
“It seems if the human’s will responds to the Lord there is still hope for him,” said Pellecus. “Jerob fought not only Jesus but the will of the human as well. If they ever begin to figure out the authority Jesus brings them…”
“This would explain the need for these disciples,” said Lucifer, as if thinking aloud. “I finally understand. Perhaps the more humans who are brought up with such dangerous knowledge, the greater the authority they shall exert over us. After all—there is much illness we cause. Jesus cannot be everywhere at once. Thus, the disciples will become the hands and feet of the Messiah.”
“And what are we to do?” asked Kara nervously. “Wait for Jesus or one of His bloody followers to oppose us as well? To destroy us in turn?”
Lucifer turned to the group.
“No Kara. We shall do exactly what Jerob begged of us,” he said, looking at the charred mark he had made on the map. “We shall do something about Jesus.”
Pellecus looked at Kara and Rugio, shooting them a glance that spoke of his confidence in Lucifer to lead them.
“What do you propose we do?” he asked Lucifer.
“Jesus puts great store in gathering disciples around Him,” Lucifer said, as he stood and walked back to the window overlooking the city. “Perhaps we need a disciple of our own.”
Chronicles of the Host
Kingdom Come
Capernaum was only the beginning. The Host watched as Jesus continued to gather men about Him, and called on people everywhere to return to their Father in Heaven. We had known all along that the Most High loved men. But when Jesus began calling the Father their Father as well, we began to realize the special
place God held in His heart for these creatures who had turned on Him. As for Jesus, these were golden days—days of popular and miraculous ministry; days of refreshing and teaching; days of wonderful fellowship and powerful deliverance throughout Galilee. It was at this time He called another follower to His side…one whom we thought an odd choice: Matthew, the tax collector.
A rather unsavory character by nature, Matthew was a pariah among his own people and was looked upon as a water carrier for the Roman state. And yet Jesus called him! Matthew obeyed immediately when Jesus invited him to follow him, leaving his tax table behind him—along with some stupefied people who stood in line to pay their tax.
What a marvel! Who but Jesus could dare bring Matthew the tax collector and Simon the Zealot under the same tent? And who but the enemy would see this as an opportunity to accuse Him?
“And so these men actually tore through the roof of the poor fellow’s house and lowered the man in on his pallet!”
The astonished group listened with rapt attention as Andrew recounted the extraordinary healing of a man riddled with palsy, that happened a few days earlier in Capernaum. Peter looked on as his brother spoke, enjoying the retelling.
“How is it, I wonder, that your Master eats and drinks with sinners and tax gatherers?” came a voice from the other side of the table.
Andrew looked up from his meal at the Pharisees who were seated around the room talking and eating. One of them, by the name of Zichri, was looking at Andrew.
Andrew smiled at the man.
“What was that?” he asked.
Peter looked up as well when he heard Andrew’s voice. Zichri gestured toward Jesus at the end of the table seated next to Matthew, whose spectacular hospitality they were now enjoying. Around Jesus and Matthew were a number of known misfits of society, all engaged in lively conversation.
Behind the grouping of Pharisees who occupied one-third of the table at which everyone was reclining stood Pellecus and a number of religious spirits, including Jerob. They were busily engaged in fanning the passions of these holy men so that they might find an occasion to accuse Jesus.
Final Confrontation Page 11
