The Twelve

by D A Walmsley

  The owner comes out shouting and screaming. “Get off my car or I’ll call the police.”

  Jude steps towards him, “it’s OK sir, the master needs it.” He holds out his hand for the keys.

  “Oh, you are from the master, and you think…ha ha,” laughing he says, “follow me.” He beckons the lads round the side of the house.

  “These are what you’re after,” he points to two animals tied up next to a small stable.

  The lads all stare at them.

  “But, they’re donkeys!” says John and Alphie together.

  “I don’t get it. Why do we need two donkeys?” asks James.

  Thaddy laughs. “Because it’s a colt. Well, the smaller one is!”

  “That’s right, that’s what your master needs. Oh, by the way, it won’t go anywhere without its mother,” says the owner, who walks away shaking his head and laughing.

  “What would the boss want with a donkey?” asks Jude.

  “Maybe for the milk!” says James.

  “So, how are we going to get them back?” asks John.

  Jude unties the colt and pulls on the rope; the colt doesn’t budge. He tugs at it again, but the animal refuses to move.

  “Try untying the mother, maybe the young ‘un will follow?”

  “How come you know so much about donkeys anyway Thaddy?” asks Alphie as he unties the larger animal and leads it away - the colt automatically following.

  “He’s a genius, that’s why. Now answer me this, do you think we can get them into the bus?” asks James.

  “Worth a try,” says John.

  They walk the donkeys back to the minibus. James opens the side door, looks at the animals, and then at the gap. He decides the best bet would be to get them in via the back doors. He opens the doors, but one of the seats is in the way.

  “This won’t work,” says Alphie.

  “Quitter,” says John.

  “I’ll get the spanner,” says James, and he starts to unbolt the back seat from the floor, but Alphie is still not convinced that this will work.

  “Once we’ve picked it up we had to let Jesus know,” says Alphie.

  “So, we may not need to take them anywhere,” says Jude.

  Jude rings only for it to go straight to voicemail.

  “If we do this the boss will be so pleased with us, it’s called taking the initiative,” John says as James takes out the seat, but the gap between the rows looks too tight for the animals. They decide to see if they will fit in anyway. Thaddy gently coaxes the mother into position, it’s a big step up into the bus. James pulls from inside as Thaddy and John push the backside of the donkey. It stands its ground.

  “Push harder,” shouts James.

  “It’s alright for you, we’re at the wrong end, what if this thing has a shit!” says John.

  The donkey whinnies and both Thaddy and John jump back.

  “It heard,” says John.

  James still pulling, asks “well, what else can we do?”

  “What if we tie them to the back, and I drive slowly?” suggests John.

  “NO!” says Alphie.

  “Maybe it would climb in if we gave it a carrot?” says Thaddy.

  James, having now given up too, jumps out of the bus. “You’re gonna have to ride ‘em, back.”

  “No way, I wouldn’t be seen dead on a donkey,” says Jude.

  As he’s speaking Jude’s phone starts to ring. It’s Peter, he wants to know where they all are, and why hasn’t someone returned with the minibus.

  “OK, apparently, we should only have been dropped off. Me and Alphie are to take the donkeys to a rendezvous point further round the Mount. You three need to take the minibus back and collect the others,” Jude tells them.

  “Did Pete say why the boss wanted these two?” asks Alphie, pointing to the donkeys.

  “No, but he knew, I could tell! He did say that after we left, more followers arrived.”

  As the minibus speeds off with Thaddy driving, Jude, Alphie and the two donkeys set off along main street and round the side of the Mount. They still have no idea what Jesus is going to do with the animals, especially a colt which has never been ridden. Maybe they’re going off the beaten track and need something to help carry things. Jude does know that farmers sometimes use them when the terrain is impassable for vehicles.

  Soon they have travelled enough distance round the Mount to see Jerusalem. It is a spectacular sight from where they are. From this high up the mountain it is at eye level, the sun glinting off the white buildings. The Temple towers above everything else, surrounded by the old wall, a wall that seems to be cradling the city in its arms of stone. Jude thinks the eastern view of the city is the most spectacular. It has expanded to the north and west, the Kidron Valley protecting the east side from the developers, leaving the old wall to stand proud and resolute against the oncoming tide of modernisation.

  Jude and Alphie stop to admire the view. From their vantage point they can see the main Jericho road and the east gate, which is pedestrian only, leading straight into the Temple. The area in front of the gate is busy with market stalls and swarms of worshippers and tourists. Further away is the car and coach park. Today is the first day of the Passover feast, thousands of pilgrims are already in the city. Smoke is rising into the blue sky from the sacrificial altar. Even from this distance, Jude and Alphie can smell the burnt offerings.

  “We are so near, I can almost touch it.”

  “Yeah, it’s nice,” says Alphie.

  “I mean the power.”

  They continue to walk to the rendezvous point, a car park, equal distance between the city and Bethany, along the Jericho road. A short cut down the mountain saved more than half an hour’s walk, and to their surprise they are the first to arrive. Alphie sees a fruit and veg seller on the side of the road and pulls out his wallet; its empty.

  “There’s no cash machine around is there?”

  Jude shakes his head.

  “Give us a few cents for some fruit.”

  “You’re becoming too attached to these two. Next you’re going tell me you’ve named them.” He gives him just enough to buy a carrot and an apple for each of the animals.

  “Don’t be stupid, I just think they may be hungry! You keep hold of that cash tighter than Peter keeps hold of a packed lunch!”

  At the large car park, cars are constantly coming and going. Jude and Alphie stand waiting, holding on to the animals. They feel very conspicuous and nervous, for they are only a short distance from Jerusalem.

  “Won’t the authorities be looking out for us?” worries Alphie as they are recognised. “What if they are spotted by the police or a temple guard?”

  “Hey aren’t you Jesus’ guys? Where’s your boss? Were you there when he raised Lazarus? Why have you got a donkey?” They heard that many times. Jude tries to get hold of Peter on his phone, only to keep getting an unable to connect message. A minibus arrives - it’s not theirs, but there are some familiar faces, including the Mary’s, Jesus’ Mother and Mary Mag, even Leah and her two boys. They all gather round Jude and Alphie, making a fuss of the donkeys. Jesus’ mother gives Alphie a smile and a nod.

  “There’s that look, Jesus has the same one,” Alphie says, “today is gonna be a good day.”

  More and more followers start to assemble. With a roar of their engines Mad Dan and the other bikers arrive. Jude and Alphie begin to feel less vulnerable and start to gain in confidence. They find out that Jesus has asked as many people as possible to meet him here, though he hasn’t said why.

  “There is only one reason why Jesus would get everybody together here. We’re going in,” says Jude to Alphie and those close to him.

  “You mean, this could be the day!”

  “With our followers here, plus all those people in the city, how can they stop us?” replies Jude.

  “With the army.”

  “They wouldn’t dare!”

  “We might be about to find out.”

  Fin
ally the blue minibus enters the car park, followed by a procession of familiar cars and more motorbikes. The lads pile out of the bus, nodding in recognition to the many followers. With Jesus they make their way over to Jude, Alphie and the two animals. Simon points to the city and nods.

  “I’ll see you in the palace,” says Jude to Alphie.

  “So this is it.”

  “Yes Alphie, at last it’s finally happening.”

  Peter has brought a blanket which he throws over the colt and everybody watches as Jesus leads it away from its mother before gently sitting on it.

  “Let’s go boys!” says Jesus to the twelve.

  They start to walk towards the city, Jesus on the donkey in front, the rest following behind. As they walk, more and more people recognise Jesus and they too join in the procession.

  “We should sing something,” says Philip.

  What should we sing? asks John.

  James starts a chant. No one joins in with him.

  “We can’t sing here we go, here we go! This is Jesus, this is the Messiah,” says Philip.

  Andrew just starts singing.

  “Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be your name.”

  Peter joins in, he and others recognise the song as a psalm. They also join in, until all the twelve and most of the followers are singing.

  “Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be your name.”

  “Blessed be your glorious name.”

  Some start singing another song and lay down their coats in front of Jesus.

  “Blessed is the king, blessed is the coming Kingdom of our father David.”

  “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.”

  Jude can hear people as they pass asking, “Is this the man who raised Lazarus? Then, surely he is the chosen Messiah.” He gets goose bumps.

  Quickly, the crowd grows from hundreds to thousands, with more joining all the time. Word spreads that the Messiah is here and pilgrims rush out of the east gate to see Jesus. Reporters rush to the scene, camera crews scramble for good views. People line the street, waving as they pass. Some throw confetti in the air as Jesus goes by. Those without coats pull branches from the many palm trees, then line the roads and lay them in front of Jesus.

  “Isn’t that the Miracle Man, the healer from Galilee? Who else could perform miracles, but the Christ himself.”

  It has turned into a celebration, a dance, a party.

  Peter has made his way to the head of the procession. He has to keep stopping to let Jesus and the rest catch up. He is singing his heart out. Andrew and Philip and Nathaniel are just behind, they are singing and occasionally waving to the crowd. James and John keep stopping for photographs on the side on the road and wave to the crowd. Thaddy takes out his phone and starts taking photos. Alphie and Thomas are further back with Matthew and the other followers.

  Jude looks on - finally this is happening, oh how long he has waited for this moment.

  “Put the TV on, tell everyone it’s happening,” he shouts down the phone to his mum and dad. Simon is doing his best to get the crowds involved, just like he used to. Only this time the words are praiseworthy, rather than angry and violent.

  “Come on everybody, ‘Bless…ed” shouts Simon.

  The crowd shouts back “Bless..ed”

  “Jesus.”

  “Jesus,” they repeat.

  “King Jesus,” shouts Simon.

  “King Jesus,” the crowd shouts back.

  Jude has never experienced anything like it, the nearer to the city they get the more people arrive. Everybody wants a view, everybody wants to be able to tell their children and grandchildren they were there when the Messiah came. Flashes from cameras light up the procession.

  ‘Look, he’s riding on a donkey,’ shouts a voice from the crowd.

  To some it just looks rather funny, a grown man riding a small donkey, but it is filled with symbolism. Jude hadn’t realised, it’s only now overhearing Nathaniel and Philip that he understands. Jesus has used the animal on purpose, it’s from scripture. Say to you the daughter of Zion, shout for joy you people of Jerusalem! Behold your King is coming to you, gentle and mounted on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.

  I bet the Pharisees get it, they must be bricking it by now. The raising of Lazarus proved beyond a shadow of doubt the power that Jesus possesses. Lazarus had been dead too long for it to have been a trick or a mere stage managed stunt. Too many eye witnesses - too many reliable eye witnesses, for it to be dismissed. The danger would come if the Galilean’s power influences Jerusalem, and now it has and Jude is ready. Just look at the people’s faces, how happy they are. He notices a Free Israel sign. That’s why Jesus was quite subdued, he must have known the enormity of what raising Lazarus would do. The people seem ready to accept him and this Passover festival, so soon after the great miracle, was always going to be the key time.

  One small step, he says as they enter Jerusalem, he can’t believe how nervous he is. This is it. We’re here.

  Chapter 27

  Annas has been helplessly watching the procession from his office window at the Temple ever since he first heard the disturbing news. He can’t have the temple guards arrest Jesus, not now, not in front of so many. No, that would only inflame the situation. He can’t get the Union soldiers to arrest him, they aren’t prepared to heighten the risk of an uprising. Anyway, from his conversations with the Governor he was getting nowhere and Pilate watching it all unfold from the comfort of his headquarters at the barracks, was finding it all quite amusing. He and his soldiers see the irony in the parade. While Annas and the Jewish authorities only see trouble, the Union soldiers watching on can see the funny side. They have no intention of getting involved. At every Jewish festival there is potential for trouble. With so many people and such a small space, the city is a tinderbox, ready to explode at any moment. Provocation is not the best form of security in this environment, even Annas knows that. What disturbs him and something he didn’t know was that Pilate believes if it does turn violent he hasn’t enough soldiers stationed in the city. During the rest of the year the temple guards control the city. This wasn’t part of the deal when the Union first took over. But after uprising after uprising, mainly aimed at the Union itself, the decision to allow the Temple authorities to guard the city was made. There are around eight thousand guards at festival times. Even they aren’t enough to ensure the smooth running of a Passover festival, so extra soldiers are brought in, mainly as a reminder of the power at the Unions disposal.

  Pilate is only thinking about himself, as usual. It is during the Passover festival that the Governor stays in the city, moving up from his main residence, on the Mediterranean coast at Caesarea. At festival times Governor Pilate comes to overcrowded Jerusalem Union style, with the pomp and ceremony even the Roman armies of ancient history would be proud of. Pilate travels by armoured car, emblazoned with the flag of the Union. At the gate to the City he leaves his car for a horse, surrounded by his own battalion of elite troops. Crowds gather to watch his spectacular arrival.

  A phone rings and Jonathan picks it up.

  “Sir, it’s Pilate again.”

  “Governor,” says Annas.

  “Are you watching it Annas? Great fun, this is the threat you are worried about, it’s the funniest thing I’ve seen in years. He rides a donkey, surrounded by boys, women and children, whilst I arrived on a white stallion surrounded by the finest infantry and tanks in the world. He has palm branches; I have fighter jets.

  Annas has to listen to him go on and on, there’s nothing he can do about it. He might have done very well financially out of the Union occupation but he hates certain events. The main one - one that he believes could be the Unions downfall, highlights the sheer bravado of Pilate. Every Passover he turns up with his army and when he gets to within several hundred yards he stops and a white stallion is brought forward. He enters the west gate of the city on his war horse, in his Union uniform, with a vast array of medals on hi
s chest - even though he has never fought in a war - holding the Union banner, a golden eagle surrounded by stars. His vanity serves only to breed resentment, but what can anyone do about it?

  Pilate ends the conversation, still laughing. One menace had arrived in the morning, another in the afternoon; both equally dangerous and all Annas can do is watch.

  TV companies were quick with their coverage, every station showing the events live, helicopters in the sky and reporters at the scene. He and Caiaphas were both unsuccessful at having it stopped. By now the whole country will be watching. It serves only to increase the number of people rushing to the east gate.

  “Jonathan,” shouts Annas. When he doesn’t appear, Annas goes to find him. He is watching it on his office computer.

  One reporter, tears running down his face, is broadcasting live at the scene.

  “I never thought, even in my wildest dreams, that I would witness the coming of the Messiah.”

  The camera pans to the crowd, before focusing on Jesus.

  “Behold, behold your King is coming to you, gentle and mounted on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey,” says the reporter, quoting the prophet Zechariah.

  “Turn that off and get me Caiaphas.”

  With all that is unfolding it would be impossible, even dangerous to try and get to the Palace. Caiaphas had been performing his ceremonial duties at the Temple all through the festival but left earlier and is now in the palace. Some priests are already there, worried about what is unfolding. As they start to assemble in the palace council chambers, Caiaphas arranges an emergency meeting with Annas, via video conference. The priests want something done and quickly.

  Jonathan connects up the call via his computer.

  “Why hasn’t he been arrested, or is it too late now? We had our chance. If this turns into an uprising then the Union will have the perfect excuse to take over completely. They want nothing more than to destroy us,” say the priests.

  “It is better for one man to die for the people than for a whole nation to be destroyed,” says Caiaphas.

  “It is too late!” says a priest.

  Annas sits quietly in front of the screen, waiting for a moment. When Caiaphas turns to him for advice, he offers only a few words. “It is never too late.”