The Twelve

by D A Walmsley

  Security are expecting them and open the gates as they approach. Both cars turn into the palace. A bodyguard steps out as the Rolls is coming to a stop and quickly opens the door for Annas.

  A footman is there to greet his boss. “Welcome Sir, you will find Caiaphas in the council chamber. Is there anything you require?”

  “No, thank you, the chamber you say?”

  The footman nods.

  The council chamber is a large meeting room where the Sanhedrin gather. It can act like a judicial court when necessary, with a long table at one end where the High Priest and other senior members sit. The accused sit opposite, the Sadducee’s would be to the side and any invited guests would watch from the back. It can fit in about thirty people when full, but couldn’t manage the whole of the council’s sixty-seven members.

  Next door Caiaphas has his office, which is where he would normally be, but today about a dozen priests, several Pharisees and a few elders of the council have assembled. They are all asking the same question, “what is going on regarding this Galilean teacher?”

  Annas walks through the palace and across the inner courtyard to the chambers, where he is immediately bombarded with questions.

  “Have you heard what he’s supposedly done now?”

  “What are you going to do about him?”

  “Why are you letting the papers print such lies?”

  “Should we take him seriously?”

  Annas raises his voice - “Gentlemen. I’m as concerned as all of you, I really am.” He pauses, “personally I think this will all blow over and he’ll be gone once his tricks have been revealed, these charlatans always come and go.”

  His answer doesn’t remotely satisfy them and they have more questions. “This is the same man that went mad in the Temple, wrecking the booths and calling us thieves and cheats. Why wasn’t he arrested?”

  “It’s bad enough that you refuse to do anything about the Baptist, now you are hiding from the Galilean too, we demand you do something about him.”

  Like the flick of a switch Annas’ mood changes instantly. His body tenses, his face turns red and his eyes burn with anger. He shouts so loudly, it can be heard throughout the Palace.

  “You demand… You come into the Palace of the High Priest and you demand! You useless pieces of excrement, demand!”

  He screams at the top of his voice, “IN MY HOUSE YOU BOW” and pushes a priest to his knees before storming off in the direction of his office.

  His son-in-law Caiaphas follows, closing the door behind him.

  “They have genuine concerns,” he says quietly.

  Annas pours himself a whisky, offering one to Caiaphas who declines, instead preferring to make himself comfortable on a large leather chair.

  “They are of course right. This Galilean has become a problem.” Annas says pacing up and down.

  “What can we do? The people are starting to love him, especially after the miracles.”

  Annas nods, “takings are also suffering. That temple stunt is still affecting business.”

  “We must do something.”

  Annas’ pacing becomes more aggressive, he can’t let the priests pressure him, but something does need to be done.

  “The first thing we will do…” he says, “is nothing. If those Pharisees think this teacher as they call him, is breaking religious laws, let them catch him out. Get him to say something on camera we can use. No point just complaining. Tell them, surely with all their supreme knowledge of the scriptures, they can outsmart one man.”

  Annas finishes off his drink. “Now, tell me you have spoken to Joseph this morning.”

  “I have, I asked him what happened on his yacht.”

  “And?”

  “And, he was very guarded, but he did assure me he wasn’t the one to notify the press. I thought we had some people on the inside?”

  “So did I, but don’t worry, that problem has now been rectified.”

  “We could do with more information on this team of his,” suggests Caiaphas.

  “Agreed. Also I’ll order checks on some of the more prominent followers,” says Annas.

  Caiaphas stands up and heads for the door, “Oh, by the way, during my meeting with Pilate this morning he warned me of some news that’s about to break. The Baptist has been arrested.”

  Annas smiles, “interesting, you’d better have your writers draft a statement, just in case we need to comment. Do we know why?”

  Caiaphas comes closer to Annas, “well, it’s not confirmed, but he’s taken particular umbrage to Herod’s latest marriage. You see it turns out that the new bride was married to his half-brother.”

  Caiaphas gets even closer and whispers into Annas’ ear, “also she is the daughter of another half-brother of his.” Annas’ eyes light up. “She’s therefore his niece.”

  Caiaphas steps back and heads to the door, adding as he leaves “on this occasion, I can quite agree with the Baptist.”

  Chapter 18

  Jude slowly pushes open the heavy door to the Old Fig Tree and enters. The phone call from Jesus had been brief, a taxi would pick him up at 8.45. Jude hadn’t dared ask why and no explanation was offered. He senses he’s not alone.

  “Hello,” he calls.

  There is an eeriness about the place with its old wooden beams and stale beer smell. It looks like it could do with a bit of a refurb. A noise spooks him, there is definitely someone here!

  “Hello,” he says again, slightly louder and if he is honest with a bit of a wobble.

  “Johnny B’s been arrested.”

  “What are you doing here?” asks Jude.

  Philip is at the far end of the bar, watching the morning news on a TV and eating a bag of cheese and onion crisps. “The boss told me to meet him here. Why are you here?”

  “He told me the same thing.”

  Philip leans over and picks up a bottle of orange from a table and takes a swig.

  “You just helped yourself to them!”

  “No, I left some money next to the till and it owes me eleven cents.”

  Jude sits down and watches the news, “I thought I would be the only one here.”

  “Me too.”

  One by one the rest of the twelve arrive. Simon and Nathaniel decide to make use of the pool table. Thaddy is next to arrive and then Alphie. When Thomas turns up he is really pleased to see everyone else there, “I was sure the boss was going to sack me.”

  Jude didn’t see Matthew enter, he must have slipped in as there he is sitting alone in a corner. He has a letter in his hands which he just keeps staring at, apparently lost in his own thoughts. Last to arrive are the fishermen. They stroll in together, having been fishing for much of the night. James and John head straight for the pool table.

  “I’ll take on the winner,” says James to Simon and Nat.

  “Do you know the reason for all the secrecy?” Jude asks Peter, who shakes his head.

  Once everyone has arrived Jesus comes out of a back room and locks the main door.

  “Right everyone, gather round,” says Jesus.

  “Why didn’t you tell me Jesus was already here?” says Jude.

  “You didn’t ask,” replies Philip.

  It is obvious to Jude that Jesus seems sad, melancholy even. Peter offers the explanation, “sad about John, huh boss?”

  James isn’t quite as clued in, “like you couldn’t see it coming, the stuff he was saying about Herod’s missus, I’m surprised he wasn’t shot.” Andrew gives his fellow fisherman a thump.

  “What, we were all thinking it!”

  Jesus asks them to sit down adding, “Matthew come and join us.”

  Matthew moves closer to the others.

  “These last few months have been good, haven’t they?” There are various nods and general agreement.

  “You’ve seen me do all kinds of amazing things, like healing the sick.”

  Peter can’t help adding, “and calming that storm.”

  “That’s righ
t Pete.”

  Jesus continues, “you’ve all been hanging out with me, watching and learning from me,” he pauses as a thought enters his mind. “Did you know that the Pharisees have been comparing you with John’s followers? They’ve been saying that while John’s followers like to fast and pray, all you lot do is eat and drink.”

  Jude looks at Peter, as does everyone else. “Hey, why’s everyone looking at me?” They all laugh.

  “Don’t worry Pete, I defended you,” Jesus says. Again they all laugh.

  Jesus gets serious again, “phase two of your training starts today. This is where you get to do something.”

  John gets worried, “This is a test isn’t it, oh no, I’m not good at tests.”

  “You’ll be fine John,” says Jesus.

  “I don’t know boss, he took seven goes to pass his driving test,” James points out.

  That explains a lot, thinks Jude.

  Jesus begins to give them their orders and plan of action.

  “There are still too many people who have not heard the good news I bring. So today you’re to help me. I am sending you out in pairs and giving you the authority to heal the sick, to cast out evil spirits and to preach about the coming Kingdom. This mission is for the lost sheep of Israel, and we will be just concentrating on Galilee at this time.”

  Twelve faces look back at Jesus, all with the same open-mouthed expressions.

  “You mean, we’re really gonna be able to heal people, no way!” says Philip.

  “What?” says Thomas.

  “This is gonna be sooo cool,” adds James.

  Finally something is happening. Jude and Simon had been getting rather frustrated just following Jesus and the crowds everywhere. This is more like it.

  Jesus takes some papers from a folder. He hands them out, making sure everybody gets one. “Before you all get carried away, these are the rules I want you to follow.”

  On the paper is a list that the twelve must adhere to.

  You either walk or rely on people’s good generosity to get you from town to town.

  No bag. You are not to take anything other than the clothes you are wearing.

  No food. When you are hungry, find a good person, they will feed you.

  No weapons. Please leave them behind.

  No mobiles or other communication devices.

  No money/credit cards. Personal ID only.

  Don’t charge people anything, you’re not doing this for profit.

  If the town or village doesn’t welcome your message, leave immediately.

  The smiles and excitement slowly drain away.

  “Boss, this is impossible!” complains James.

  “We have to speak in public, I can’t do that,” worries Thomas.

  Jude stares at the list. This is mad, we can’t take anything at all with us. He is only half listening when Nathaniel asks to team up with Peter,“How about me and you Pete.”

  “Yo Jude, me and you,” says Simon. That’s good, him and Simon could make a good team. Simon is sure to know people.

  James and John team up, no surprise, then Philip teams with Andrew. Thaddy doesn’t seem to like the choices that are left.

  “No offence,” he tells Alphie, Thomas, …but they do take offence.

  “You should have been quicker at asking someone!” shouts James, adding “you’re just a bad loser.” Thaddy doesn’t like that and stands “come here and say that, if you dare?” James takes up the challenge and they both square up to each other and start pushing and shoving. James pushes too hard and Thaddy falls into Simon and Jude. “Hey give over”, Jude pushes back. Within seconds eleven guys are all arguing and pushing each other. Peter is trying to stop them by pulling Thaddy and James apart, his big booming voice shouting “stop it, stop it” but he is making it worse.

  All of a sudden Matthew stands on a chair and yells “Everyone stop and shut up.”

  They all stop, Jude notices Jesus helps Matthew down and pats his back. Teachers pet.

  “I suppose you’ve learnt something from all this…none of them can read properly,” Matthew says to Jesus. He points to a line near the bottom of the piece of paper.

  “Why don’t you all read this,” he looks across at Jesus.

  “Tell them what it says Matt.”

  Matthew reluctantly reads “…all teams will be assigned by Jesus on the morning of the training.”

  There is stunned silence.

  Now the group begin to feel embarrassed and as they sheepishly come and stand close to Jesus, Peter is first to apologise, “sorry, boss.”

  One by one, with their heads down the others mumble sorry. Jude looks Jesus in the face “sorry boss.”

  With a tinge of disappointment in his voice Jesus starts to speak. “This has proved one thing, you’re not exactly a team. There will be times when I’m gone that you’ll need to work together, to trust each other. To help and be there for one another. For this reason I’m putting Simon and Matthew together.”

  There is a big intake of breath, but no one dare speak. Jude, you’ll be with Alphie.”

  Jude daren’t say anything, but Alphie, a collector, oh come on! He keeps his head down, avoiding any eye contact with Jesus or Alphie.

  “Andrew you go with Philip. Then it’s Peter and Thaddy, James and Nathaniel and that leaves you Thomas with you John. Right, are there any questions?”

  After a few moments Peter asks, “Are there any particular places we should visit? Or can we just go anywhere. I’ve read the paper… now, and it doesn’t say?”

  “Good question Peter, you will need to sort that out between yourselves.”

  Peter asks if there is a map anywhere. Nathaniel says that there is an old one on a wall somewhere and after a few minutes of searching it is found and they all gather round it. Peter then divides up Galilee into six areas.

  North above Capernaum to Chorazin and Hazor: The area in and around Beth Shearim to the east: Cana and surrounding towns and villages: Arbela area also eastward. Then two pairs going south: One following the main road through the mountains of Tabor and Moreh to Nain and on from there. Lastly, one heading towards Endor. This one confuses John, “Endor, isn’t that a planet in Star Wars?”

  Peter appears to have taken charge and no one argues. Jude is still annoyed he’s been put with Alphie.

  “Now starting with area 1, who wants to go north?” No one answers, “We’ll have that then Thaddy.”

  Eventually each area is taken and Jesus hands out resealable plastic bags. “Put your mobiles, money, weapons etc in one of these, I’ll put it in the safe.”

  Begrudgingly they all fill the bags.

  “Don’t forget to put in your backup weapons boys,” Jesus tells Matthew and Simon. “I want both of you to return in one piece. Right, you can leave when you’re ready. Just remember what I have shown and taught you. If you are stuck,” Jesus looks over at John, “I’ve included a crib sheet to help you.”

  James whispers to John “I am going to heal more than you.”

  “No way,” John goes off to hurry Thomas along.

  One by one the pairs start to leave.

  * * *

  Before they set off Jude has one last cigarette. Not a bad way to quit really. He thinks it’s a good idea to have a go at giving up, which shouldn’t be too hard considering he’d only started when he went to work for his dad. As he stands outside the Old Fig Tree enjoying his last Marlboro, Alphie is pacing up and down. He wants to get going and can’t understand why Jude can’t smoke and walk at the same time. In the distance there is a sound that is music to Jude’s ears, and within seconds the roaring noise of half a dozen bikes, their engines screaming, come into view. They are a mix of new street bikes and old tourers. As they all pass, Jude waves, he knows most of the riders. They hang out at the Olive Grove, a café bar along Lakeside road to the south of Capernaum, which he frequents when he feels the need to talk about all things two-wheeled. The lead bike who had shot passed turns round and rides ov
er, pulling up next to Jude. He and Jude give each other a two-handed handshake and then the rider takes his helmet off.

  “Getting in an early session are you?” He points to the bar. Jude explains it was just a meeting point and in fact he is about to leave for Endor. The other bikes all pull up and Jude asks what they are up to today. Just out for a ride they tell him.

  “We could drop you off in Endor,” one of the bikers says.

  Jude looks round at Alphie, “you got a helmet for this guy?”

  The rider of a large gold tourer with side boxes on takes out a spare helmet and Jude passes it to Alphie.

  “I’ve never been on a bike before,” says Alphie a little apprehensively.

  “Oh in that case, you need to ride with Mad Dan.”

  With a screech of tyres and a smell of burning rubber they all set off. Mad Dan with Alphie clinging on for his life. Jude laughs, if Mad Dan knew he had a collector riding with him this might turn into a one man assignment. He won’t say anything, they might think he is one of them too. Alphie should be used to living on the edge, but he looks petrified. Jude signals to Alphie to let go and put his arms in the air. Alphie ignores him and instead holds tighter. Wait ‘til I tell everybody, the first thing Alphie did was put his arms round a biker. Jude tries to show him there is a handle behind his back. Alphie, puts an arm out, searches for it, but gives up when they hit a winding section of the road around Mount Tabor. The snow topped mountain, the sun on your back, nothing like it. Jude promises himself he’ll come back later and do this road on a day off.

  Mad Dan has already pulled up and Alphie is off the bike when Jude and the others arrive close to the outskirts of Endor.

  “How was it?”

  “Terrifying.” Alphie says through the helmet.

  “You won’t be swapping your car then?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “I had an idea when we were riding, about what we could do in Endor.” That’s what Jude loves about riding. He has all his best ideas when he is on a bike.