by Simon Acland
In mounting despair I hammered on the stone. I scrabbled at it with the broken fingernails of my dirty hands. I shouted, I yelled for help, I wept. I desperately searched around the door for some lever, some contrivance that might open it from inside. But the wall was totally smooth. The masons had done their job so well that I could scarcely see, scarcely feel, the crack between wall and door. I scratched round it with my dagger. Even its sharp blade could get no purchase and skated over the surface of the wall. What ancient ingenuity was this? What ancient ingenuity had closed me in this trap?
I froze as I realised that the door was probably as good as invisible from the outside too. My captor had moved it shut with just a gentle touch. The solid thump with which it locked spoke of some hidden mechanism, operated by a secret of which the old monk was perhaps the only guardian. Then, as my head cleared, I gave up my search for a lever. Surely, if the chamber could be opened from within, the old monk would have hidden inside it. There he would have been safe from any marauding Crusaders, and he would not have had to take the risk of luring me down into this tomb. That dreadful word – tomb – echoed in my head. I was in my tomb, buried alive. I would die there of thirst and hunger, or maybe first of suffocation if the sepulchre was sealed as hermetically as it seemed.
I sat with my head in my hands and shook bitter tears over the table. I had come so close. I had Hasan’s book in my grasp but what good was that now? Nobody would look for me; Godfrey would just assume that I had fallen unobserved during the sack of the city. The Duke might regret my third passing for a few days, but there would be many others lining up to serve the man who could claim most credit for the capture of Jerusalem and was likely to become its first Christian king. Blanche would remain a captive and would forget me. Or worse, she would perhaps believe that I had betrayed and forgotten her, and end up in the arms of another. I shuddered at the thought. And I would die, my long and painful journey all in vain.
The candle burning down brought me back to my senses. At least I could keep the light going for a good while, for the stock of candles was large. I lit a new one from the old, and could continue doing so, and perhaps avoid dying in the dark.
I unbuckled my sword belt and laid the weapon beside my shield. I stroked the sheath, trying to rekindle the happy memory of its presentation to me at Bouillon. Then, inquisitive, I reached for the volume which had brought about my doom. With curiosity I considered the book again – The Gospel of Lazarus – why had Hasan wanted this so much? Why had the Abbot destroyed its twin so that its contents should be denied to others? With nothing else to do, I turned the page, and began to read.
‘Others have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things which have been accomplished among us, just as they were delivered by those who from the beginning were witnesses and ministers of the word. Now, I wish to record an honest account for you, that you may know the truth about those things of which so much has been written.
‘In the days of Herod a decree went out that all the people should be counted. To be counted, they returned each to their own city. So it came to pass that Joseph, who was of the royal house and lineage of David, returned to Bethlehem with his wife Mary, who was heavy with child and close to her term.
‘At Bethlehem all the inns were full, for many had travelled there to be enrolled, and they took shelter in a stable. While they were there, the time came for Mary to be delivered, and she gave birth, and wrapped her baby in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger. And the baby, a boy child, was given the name Jesus.
‘Now the royal house of David had kin in far off lands to the north, on the shores of a black sea. Three wise men travelled from those lands to pay their homage to their new kinsman, and they bore rich gifts. In that humble stable they fell down in worship and offered their treasures, a gold grail, myrrh, frankincense and other spices, and recondite recipes for their use.
‘When Herod the King heard of these travellers he was troubled, and he summoned them to him to know their business. At first they would not speak, but demanded to be free to pass on their way. In a furious rage, the King brought young children before them and killed them one by one, until in pity they were forced to speak to stop the slaughter. Thus Herod learned their secrets, but when he searched for Joseph, Mary, and the child, he found them not, for they had moved on.
‘The family sought refuge from Herod in lands away from Galilee, in Egypt, and later settled in Nazareth, that the words spoken by the prophet might be fulfilled: “He shall be called a Nazarene.” And so the child Jesus passed to manhood in safety.
‘Joseph’s royal lineage gave him proud ambition. He planned to use the magic of his northern kin to restore his House of David to its rightful position. But Joseph was old and ill, and so he thought that for himself the Magi’s herbs would not serve. The grail must pass to his only son.
‘Joseph loved his son. He could not risk his precious blood, the last of his line. And so he asked a cousin, by the name of John, to prepare the way for Jesus. John went with Joseph to a distant place in the wilderness of Judaea to be baptised and immersed in the sacred mysteries.
‘John emerged from this trial a man of strength and vigour, and soon his voice was carrying loud throughout the land: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Of him spoke the prophet Isaiah when he said “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his path straight.”
‘Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptised in his turn. And so Jesus was immersed and the holy spirit entered through his veins into him. After, Joseph said, “Thou art my beloved son; with thee I am well pleased.” And Jesus spent forty days and forty nights in the desert with John, who nursed him.
‘But now John’s fame reached the ears of King Herod. Some said, “John the Baptizer has been raised from the dead; that is why these powers are at work in him.” And others said, “It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.”
‘Herod sent and seized John and bound him in prison. He feared his power and wished him dead. So Herod had John beheaded. Herod ordered John’s head to be placed in mockery on a grail, and paraded in front of his courtiers to please Herodias, his wife, and her daughter Salome, for now they thought that their line was safe from the threat of the ancient House of David.
‘When Joseph heard the news he was dismayed. He withdrew with Jesus into Galilee and dwelt for a while in Capernaum by the sea. There Joseph and Jesus bethought themselves of a family who lived in Bethany who were dear to them. The sisters were called Mary and Martha, the brother Lazarus. It was decided that Lazarus himself should be baptised. And so the bath was prepared, and he underwent immersion. Thus the holy spirit entered into Lazarus’ veins and strengthened him.
‘Now it was time for Jesus to begin his ministry, to gather his disciples around him and to begin to teach. He showed himself wise and many flocked to him and made him their rabbi. Joseph urged him to use the arcana of the holy spirit to achieve temporal power. But Jesus had greater thoughts. He would use the secret to rid the world of evil. If he could show that he could conquer death, he could found a cult whose beliefs would have the power to sweep away evil and make of this world a peaceful paradise.
‘Others have written of Jesus’ teaching. Wisdom poured from him as from no man before, yet all his words were touched by humility, and his gentle manner secured the love of all who listened with a pure heart. Great crowds followed him wherever he went and his fame spread throughout the land.
‘At last Jesus decided that the power of the holy spirit should be tested, and that the task first set by Joseph for John should be fulfilled by another. So he passed unto Bethany to the house of Mary and Martha. They were fearful for their brother, whom they loved dearly, but Jesus spoke to them, saying, “He will conquer death and be glorified by means of his victory. Everlasting fame will be his.”
‘Near the house of Mary and Martha was a tomb, which could be closed by a heavy stone. Jesus entered the
cave with Lazarus and Judas Iscariot, his trusted disciple. Lazarus was stripped of his robe, and a sharp blade was plunged by Judas into his side so that he fell down dead and a pale liquid flowed forth. They anointed his wounds and, binding him with strips of cloth, laid him gently down. They left the tomb and placed the stone across the entrance.
‘Jesus went back to his teaching. On the fourth day he returned to Bethany and ordered that the stone should be moved away. But Martha, the sister of the dead man, weeping, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odour, for he has been dead four days.” But Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you would believe you would see the glory of the holy spirit?” And so they took away the stone, and Jesus cried in a loud voice, “Lazarus come out.” And the dead man came out, his hands and feet and side bound with bandages. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”’
I was so absorbed, bemused as I struggled to grasp all its implications, wondering whether I really understood correctly the ancient script, that I scarcely noticed that the candle was dying. Then, just in time, the flickering light caught my attention, and I hurried to light a new candle from the old. Then I plunged on with my reading.
‘Judas Iscariot, who looked after the money box and used to take from it what was put in, was angry. “These spices, this secret, we should sell for many denarii.” But Jesus said, “Let it alone, it must be kept for the day of my burial.”
‘As well as gathering together a great following, now Jesus had made many enemies, for his teaching threatened the Pharisees and the established order and gave hope to the poor and the weak. The Passover was approaching, and he knew the time had come to enter into Jerusalem and to confront his foes, so that his plan could be fulfilled.
‘On the next day a great crowd heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. They cut the branches of palm trees and ran out to greet him, laying the boughs before him as he rode on a young ass. Others laid out their cloaks and garments in his path. They cried “Hosanna to the Son of David, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel.” And so the words of the prophet were fulfilled, as it is written, “Fear not, daughter of Zion, behold your king is coming, sitting on an ass’s colt.”
‘Jesus entered the Temple of God. He flung over the tables of the money-lenders, and the stools of the pigeon-sellers, and drove out all who bought and sold in the Temple, saying “It is written that this shall be a house of peaceful prayer but you have turned it into a den of thieves.”
‘Then Jesus taught the people gathered in the Temple and told them many wise stories. The Pharisees demanded by what right he taught in the Temple, and to test him they asked “What is the greatest commandment in the law?” And Jesus replied, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind. And a second is of the same importance, that you shall love your neighbour as yourself.” And the priests saw how the crowd hung on his words, and the sway he held over them, and they feared him. They dared not seize him before the crowd. And when Jesus saw how he had stirred the priests, he returned to Bethany, pausing on the way to teach another crowd on the Mount of Olives.
‘Now the feast of the Unleavened Bread, the Passover, drew near. Jesus sent two of his disciples, Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover feast for us, that we may eat it.” And they asked him, “Where will you have us prepare it?” He said to them, “Behold, when you enter the city, a man will meet you carrying an alabaster jar containing all that I will need. Follow him into the house that he enters, where he will show you a large upper room; leave the jar there and make everything ready.”
‘And he sent another of the twelve, Judas Iscariot, to the high priests, in order to betray him to them in the absence of the crowd. “Tell them that they will find me in the Garden of Gethsemane in the hours of darkness after our Passover feast.” And the priests were glad, and engaged to give Judas money.
‘Peter and John prepared the Passover feast as their Lord had said, and when the time came he sat at the table, and his disciples with him. And they ate, dipping their bread into the dish that had been prepared for them. Jesus said, “All is ready. The betrayal has been prepared by he who dips his bread into the dish at the same time as me.” And that one was Judas.
‘And then he came out, and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, for he would be alone in his torment, and he knelt and prayed. “Oh my poor dead father, if only there were a way to achieve our plans without going through this suffering. If it be possible, let this grail pass from me.” And his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down upon the ground.
‘And then he gathered his strength and rose, returning to the disciples, and found them sleeping. He said to them, “Why do you sleep? Be ready. Rise.”
‘While he was still speaking, there came a crowd with swords and clubs from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders, and Judas was leading them. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying “The one I shall kiss is the man; seize him and lead him away safely.” And when he came, he went up to him at once, and said, “Master!” And he kissed him. And they laid hands on him. But one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck off the ear of the slave of the high priest. Turning to his follower, Jesus said, “Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you not remember my teachings?”’
I shivered in the cold silence of my tomb as I thought of the brutal weapons wielded by me and my fellow Crusaders and of the dreadful violence we had perpetrated in the name of this holy man of peace.
‘And Jesus said to them, “Have you come out to me as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I was with you in the Temple teaching and you did not seize me.”
‘Then they led him away, bringing him to the high priest’s house. When day came, the assembly of the elders gathered together, chief priests and scribes; and they bound Jesus and brought him before Pilate. And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “That is what my father would have had me say, and you have said it.” And the chief priests accused him of many things. And Pilate asked him again, “Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you.” But Jesus made no further answer, so Pilate wondered whether he wished for his own death.
‘Now at the feast he used to release for them any one prisoner whom they asked. And among the rebels in prison, who had committed murder in the insurrection, there was a man called Barabbas. And the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do as he was wont to do for them. And he answered them, “Do you want me to release the King of the Jews?” For Pilate perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas instead. And Pilate again said to them, “Then what shall I do with the man whom you call the King of the Jews?” And they cried out again, “Crucify him. Crucify him.” So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
‘And the soldiers led him away inside the palace. And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and plaited a crown of thorns which they placed on his head. And then they began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews.” And they struck his head with a reed, and spat upon him, and they knelt down in homage to him. And when they had finished mocking him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes back on him. And then they led him away to be crucified.
‘And they compelled a passer-by, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross. And they brought him to Golgotha, which means the place of the skull. Now the centurion in charge of the escort was named Longinus, and he was a disciple of Jesus. And he offered Jesus wine mixed with myrrh and other spices, and he took it. And then, at the third hour, they crucified him, and divided his garments among them,
casting lots for them, to decide what each should take. And the inscription of the charge against him read “The King of the Jews.”
‘And with him they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left. And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani,” which was a sign. And the centurion ran, filling a sponge full of wine, spices and myrrh, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. And when Jesus had received the drink, he said in a loud voice “It is finished” and he bowed his head.
‘Since it was the day of Preparation, in order to prevent the bodies from remaining on the cross on the Sabbath, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him, but when they came to Jesus the faithful centurion ordered them not to break his legs. Instead, he pierced his side with his lance, and at once a clear liquid flowed forth. I who have seen it have borne witness and I know that I tell the truth. And so the scripture was fulfilled, which says, “Not a bone of his body shall be broken,” and again, “They shall look upon him whom they have pierced.”
‘After this, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a friend and secret disciple of Jesus, asked Pilate if he might take away the body, and Pilate gave him leave. And Nicodemus also came, bringing the alabaster jar of spices and myrrh. And they took the body of Jesus and bound its wounds in linen cloths with the spices. And they took him and laid him in a tomb nearby, whose entrance they closed with a rock.
‘Now Judas Iscariot’s greed drove him again to the chief priests and scribes. He told them of Jesus’ plan to rise from his tomb, and how once he had conquered death, his power would be great. He told them too that like John the Baptizer, his life could be ended only by striking his head from his body. And for his pains, the chief priests took the traitor and hanged him.
