SCATTERED DISCIPLES
02:00 - YERUSHALÁYIM, FRIDAY, APRIL 07, AD 30
MOST OF THE GREEKS and disciples who witnessed the arrest of Yeshua, on the way that runs along the slope of the Mount of Olives, ended up returning to the garden of Shim-on the Leper, awakening the eight apostles and other adherents, who remained oblivious to what, however, was happening. Minutes later, it was young Yohanan Marcos who ran to the top of the Mount of Olives, to warn David Zebedeu, who was still on guard and on the sidelines of recent events.
After a few moments of natural confusion, the group gathered around the stone mill located at the entrance to the estate, which sparked a lively discussion.
The head of the apostles, Andrew, was so confused that he was unable to say anything. And it was Shim-on, the Zealot, who, finally, ended up perching on the wall of the press, speaking to his companions:
— Pick up your weapons and we'll launch out in pursuit of the guards, releasing the Rabbi.
All those present that morning in the garden responded with vehemence to the incitement of the revolutionary Shim-on, still an active member of the clandestine and terrorist group of the Zealots. And it is very possible that they would have launched themselves, down the hill, in pursuit of the Rabbi, if the very opportune intervention of Bartolomeu had not taken place.
As soon as Shim-on the Zealot finished speaking, Bartholomew said:
— Calm down, brothers, let us not forget the constant teachings on non-violence that the Rabbi had preached to us all this time.
Gently, the apostle revived the memory of the fiery disciples, quoting the words spoken by the Rabbi that very night.
— Protect and preserve your lives, so that we can spread and spread the message of the kingdom of heaven.
Bartholomew's thesis was strongly supported by James, Yohanan Zebedee's brother, who also explained to the companions how Cephas, some Greeks and he himself had drawn swords at the time of Yeshua's arrest and how the Rabbi asked them to keep their weapons. Tempers, it seemed, were gradually calming down until only Shim-on Zealot was left with the sword in his hand.
Afterwards, Filipe and Mateus and, finally, Thomas, also intervened:
— I urge you others on the need not to expose yourselves to mortal dangers, as Yeshua had suggested to his friend Elazar, if something on that level should happen, I think we'd better disperse precisely so that they don't think we'll wage war against Rome just in this Easter period , we still don't know what will happen.
Thomas' arguments, asking the disciples to disperse while they waited for new developments, ended up dominating the fight anxiety of the followers of Yeshua and the disciples ended up dispersing because it was the most intelligent strategy at that time.
***
THE FIRST TIME
02:00 - YERUSHALÁYIM, FRIDAY, APRIL 07, AD 30
THE COURT STOPPED in front of Ananus' house, not far from Zion's Gate, at the western end of the city and a short distance from Yohanan Marcos' house, where they had held the last supper.
There, in front of the gate of the spacious garden, which stretched out in front of the house, the Roman officer officially handed the prisoner over to the chief of the Levites. But first, addressing one of the legionaries so that everyone could hear him, he ordered:
— Accompany the prisoner and see to it that these wretches do not kill him without the consent of Pilatus. Prevent him from being murdered and see to it that this Galilean – he said referring to Yohanan – can accompany him at all times. Look carefully at everything that happens.
And, turning around, he walked away from the place, in the company of the platoon of legionnaires.
Once in the courtyard, part of the Temple guard said goodbye, departing from the sumptuous residence of the former high priest. Several servants of Ananus rushed to the head of the Levites. The latter ordered them to notify the master:
— The prisoner has arrived – he told them, pointing to the Nazarene, who still had his hands tied behind his back and was motionless in the middle of the flagged courtyard.
Yohanan remained at the Rabbi's side, and the legionnaire, in turn, tried not to lose sight of them, as well as a small group of Temple guards and servants who were struggling to light a fire. They piled several logs in one corner of the dark courtyard and, after sprinkling them with oil, bent one of the beams towards the firewood, setting it on fire. The temperature had dropped a few degrees and almost everyone in the room was moving closer to the fire.
Yohanan felt uncomfortable with Yeshua's silence, normally he was a person prepared to defend any injustices, but now that the one being wronged was himself, he did absolutely nothing.
— Quiet your hearts, Yohanan – said the Nazarene calmly.
— But Rabbi!
— You have seen too many things to know that everything is in the hands of Our heavenly Father.
Yohanan nodded and saw a slight smile on the Rabbi's face.
In a few minutes, in the center of the courtyard only Yeshua, the leader of the Levites, who continued to hold the thick rope with which they had tied Yeshua, the young disciple and the Roman soldier, were found.
AHEAD OF THEM stood an imposing two-story mansion, with a facade entirely of carved stone, and delicate semicircular marble stairs. At the door, dimly lit by many oil lanterns, was an obese woman of short stature, who smiled incessantly. But that first exploration of the precinct was interrupted by the appearance of Yehudhah.
The traitor had just arrived at Ananus' house. Upon seeing Yeshua and Yohanan, he stood behind the high railings that towered over the stone wall. In a few minutes he walked away, following the same street where the Levite guards had gone.
On his face, hard and impassive, there was no sign of regret. On the contrary. Everyone had the feeling that, during those moments, Yehudhah Ish Qeryoth enjoyed the spectacle. Deep down, his revenge against the Rabbi and against the disciple of Yeshua was beginning to bear fruit. Yohanan also saw Yehudhah, but the Nazarene, who kept his back to the entrance door, didn't mind the traitor.
Yeshua's countenance did not change. He was still slightly pale and grave. He had looked up only twice.
A few minutes after the traitor's departure, it was now Cephas who was behind the gates. Yohanan didn't realize how he didn't cross paths with Yehudhah, surely moved by his passion for the Rabbi would have killed him.
Nervously, he paced up and down the railing, trying to get them to notice him. Yohanan felt sorry for that impetuous, friendly, and kind apostle. Shim-on gripped the irons with both hands and began to make signs with his mouth. Yohanan, unable to understand Cephas' intentions, until, pointing a finger at his chest, the disciple moved his head, communicating with that lip mimicry that he too wanted to enter the house.
What could I do?
At that moment, one of Ananus' servants came out of the mansion, beckoning the chief of the Levites to enter. Yohanan turned to face Cephas and read the deepest of desolations in his face. But as he passed the threshold, Yohanan went to the woman who was still at the door, begging her to let his friend in. And the apostle indicated Cephas with his hand.
Yohanan was surprised to hear how the obese lady without even blinking and in a cordial tone, acquiesced to her request. Yohanan knew there was no mystery in the guardian's amiable behavior. Both he and his brother James were old acquaintances of the woman and the servants of the house. Yohanan and his family, in particular his mother Salome, a distant relative of Ananus, had been invited on numerous occasions to the palace of the former high priest.
As the head of the Levites led the Nazarene into the mansion, the gatekeeper descended the steps, determined to allow the dejected and frightened Cephas to enter.
But his limited intelligence and passion for Yeshua did not allow him to reason clearly. His mind was a turmoil in which, in equal doses, mingled hatred for Yehudhah and the members of the Sanhedrim, fear for his own safety and that of the group, and immense uncertainty as to where events were going. At this point, neither Cephas nor the remaining apostles had understood at that time the true mission of Yeshua.
Shim-on Cephas had begun to tremble. He didn't know if it was fear, anguish or the cold. The thing is, unconsciously, they were approaching the fire. A half-dozen Levites and servants of Ananus had sat down to the Turk, warming themselves very close to the fire too. Cephas remained standing, his eyes lost in the flames.
The woman who had opened the gate for him left the house again, putting herself under the doorframe. The guards commented on the arrest incidents, cursing the Romans. One of them, however, alluded to the gesture of the Rabbi, who had miraculously cured fellow Malchus. But the Levite's timid defense was immediately stifled by some interlocutors, who explained what happened as yet another clear proof of Yeshua's diabolical power.
One of the staunch defenders of this hypothesis reminded his colleagues how demons, in reality, were banished angels, invisible and capable of taking the strangest forms, almost always leaving footprints similar to those of roosters. Another of the Temple servants sharply opposed this explanation, arguing that the demons were the children that Adam had begotten when he was a hundred and thirty years old...
The discussion was at its height when, unexpectedly, the guardian, without losing that constant and malicious smile, advanced towards the fire, raising Cephas from the opposite end of the circle:
— Weren't you also one of this Man's disciples?
The guards turned to Shim-on with a menacing gesture and the apostle, whose thoughts were very far from this sudden attack, opened his eyes wide, unable to believe what was happening. That question, deep down, was as absurd as it was malicious. If Cephas had reacted with a modicum of coolness and sanity, he would have realized that the matron was the one who, rightly, had opened the gate for him, at Yohanan's request. It was obvious, therefore, that the woman was aware of the friendship existing between them and it was impossible to have any way that anyone could deny it and not associate it with the figure of the Nazarene.
But fear once again seized his brain and, stuttering, he replied:
— I'm not...
The gatekeeper remained impassive by the fire. However, her attention quickly strayed from her to the conversation of the servants and Levites, who had returned to the subject of demons.
None of those present seemed to attach much importance to Cephas' presence or his possible connection to the prisoner. If the apostle had noticed this widespread attitude of the Levites, he would probably have been able to overcome the panic and prevent the prophecy from coming true.
Shim-on avoided the gaze of those present by biting his lip and nervously kneading the folds of his robe. At that moment Cephas did not carry his usual sword, as he freed it before approaching Ananus' house.
The guard whose version of the demons had been interrupted by the arrival of the gatekeeper picked up the thread of the conversation, making it clear to those present that Galileo could well be one of those sons of Adam. But the Levite's explanation did not satisfy the majority, who vehemently opposed him.
Another of the Sanhedrim's servants added that, generally, these demons used to dwell in swamps, ruins and in the shade of certain trees, which was not the case with the Galilean.
— This – he concluded – is not the case with Galileo. We all saw him preach openly in the middle of the Court of the Gentiles. What devil would act like that?
— And let's not forget – another of those present intervened – that the Rabbi of Galilee healed many cripples.
***
JUDGMENT IN THE HOUSE OF ANANUS
02:00 - YERUSHALÁYIM, FRIDAY, APRIL 07, AD 30
YESHUA WAS DIRECTED to the presence of Ananus ben Sete, bringing him up to date on everything that had happened on the homestead of Shim-on the Leper and along the path to the Mount of Olives.
— You were right to bring him here, I have wanted to meet him in person for a long time.
The servant nodded and bowed slightly to the priest. Upon receiving us in his private quarters, Ananus wanted to dispense with the representative of the optio and Yohanan, but the legionary objected, warning him that it was an order from the procurator. As the priest's relations with the Romans were excellent, he resinified before the order.
Seeing him ascend to the dais, helped by one of his servants, Yohanan felt a certain disappointment, the powerful father-in-law of Kaiafa, father of an influential priestly family, was actually a decrepit old man, very close to seventy and affected. by an advanced stage of Parkinson's disease.
He sat down in one of the chairs, helped by the servant, and for a long time did not say a word, watching the Rabbi with great curiosity. Then, with your usual self-sufficiency and self-sufficiency.
Ananus approaches Yeshua and analyzes him for a moment.
— So it is you who has been causing so much trouble to our suffering people about their vain promises of salvation?
Without showing any feeling, Yeshua answers him:
— You say so.
The guard threatened to hit Yeshua, but Ananus raised a hand to stop him, looked at him sternly, showing who was in charge of that place.
Ananus asks Yeshua again:
— About his disciples and about their teachings, what do you have to say in their defense?
Yeshua looks at him seriously and simply says:
— I spoke to the world publicly. I have always taught in the synagogues and temple, where all the Jews gather, and I have not said anything in secret. Why do you ask me such questions? Ask those who heard what I told them.
Giving him a slap, a temple guard who was there rebukes Yeshua:
— Is that how you respond to the chief priest?
The Roman guard extends his spear and places it over his neck and threatens him:
— Once you do that, this spear will be happily stuck in your throat.
The guard nodded, clearly showing fear of the Roman.
Ananus gently places a hand on the spear, taking it from his servant's neck.
— Let's calm down, he didn't mean to do it.
The Roman returned to his resting position and Ananus was clearly pleased and grateful for his attitude.
Yeshua knew better than anyone that he had done nothing wrong. So he said right away:
— If I said something wrong, say what I said wrong; but if what i said is right, why do you hit me?
— You know well that your reputation among the Sanhedrim is that of a ruffian and that you lead people astray from the laws of Moshe, that's why you're here.
— If he had done it as you say – said Yohanan – the people would certainly have condemned him and stopped listening to his words of life."
Ananus gave a satisfied smile.
— If all Rabbis had a brave boy like you, the world would be full of brave people, young man.
Basically, the Rabbi's presence before the former high priest made no sense, it was just a ploy devised between Kaiafa and his father-in-law, in order to keep him in a safe place until the Sadducees, scribes and Pharisees involved in the plot had just appeared. before the high priest.
— I have known him for many years, you know – Yeshua nodded – like all people in Israel, he too had heard of the signs, wonders and teachings of Yeshua.
— You know you've known me much longer than that, I'm the boy who twenty-one years ago spent three days in the temple teaching the priests.
Suddenly, the truth dawned before his eyes as he remembered the twelve-year-old boy who had dazzled him three years earlier.
KAIAFA'S SKILLFUL FATHER-IN-LAW had, from the very first moment, the secret intention to settle that uncomfortable matter right there. From what he saw, knowing his son-in-law's violent and impulsive character, he didn't want the case against the Rabbi to fall into his hands.
— You already know that I have to do something about Your teachings... You are disturbing the peace and order of our country.
Yeshua lifted his head and stared at him. But he didn't open his mouth.
This clearly did not please Ananus.
His nerves began to give way and unable to hide his anger, he demanded:
— Tell me the names of your disciples...
But Yeshua remained silent. And, without blinking, he continued to stare at the old reptile.
Seldom had Yohanan seen such majesty in the Rabbi's face. While Ananus raged, Yeshua, on his feet, and despite being bound, demonstrated to that bastard his true greatness.
Ananus changed tactics.
He even suggested that he was willing to forget about everything, on one condition.
— How about if we make a deal, Yeshua, the young wonder who once made me sigh with emotion when I learned that there were wonderful young people in our people, I will forgive his life if he leaves Palestine immediately.
But Yeshua showed no sign of interest.
That silence further exasperated the former high priest, who, punching the arms of the chair, shouted to Yeshua:
— Can't you see that I'm very kind to you?" Don't you understand how much my power is? I can determine the final outcome of your next trial.
Yeshua spoke and addressing Ananus, said to him:
— You know that you can never have power over me without My Father's permission. Some would like to kill the Son of Man because they are ignorant and do not know how to do anything else. But you, my friend, do have an idea of what you're doing. How then can I repel the light of God?
The Rabbi's unexpected kindness to that serpent defeated Ananus and surprised me. And the old man set to work, looking, I suppose, for some new plot to lose Yeshua.
A moment later he asked again:
— What are you trying to teach the people? – Who do you want to be? The Rabbi in no way dodged the issues.
And he addressed Ananus with great firmness:
— You know very well that I spoke clearly to people. I taught in synagogues many times and also in the Temple, where Jews and Gentiles listened to me. I said nothing in secret. What then is the reason why you ask me about My teachings? why not summon My hearers and inform yourself for them? All Yerushaláyim heard Me. And so do you, although you have not understood My feelings.
However, the unexpected attitude of Yeshua of Natsrat aborted his plans.
— Do you consider yourself the Messiah, the deliverer of Israel?
Yeshua looked up again and with equal calm said to him:
— Ananus, you have known me from my youth and you know that I intend to be neither more nor less than My Father's delegate. My dad.
But the high priest was not satisfied and repeated the question:
— I hear you intend to be the Messiah. It is true?
The Rabbi waited a while before answering. For a moment it looked like he didn't want to talk. But he ended up doing it. And with what assurance, he said:
— You said it! – He said at last.
It was then that the priests entered. They came from Kaiafa, and, approaching Ananus, they whispered in his ear and he visibly nodded in disgust.
— You missed the opportunity to earn your own salvation, young man.
— And you just condemned yourself.
Ananus ordered in a rage that he was bound in the presence of his son-in-law Kaiafa and left.
***
THE REST OF THE DISCIPLE
02:30 - YERUSHALÁYIM, FRIDAY, APRIL 07, AD 30
THE GARDEN WAS DESERT. Only David Zebedee and a small group of messengers remained in the camp, preparing for a mission that would prove vital.
The intrepid disciple knew how to organize himself in such a way that, through Yohanan Zebedee, Yousef of Armathajim and other agents, he was able to obtain remarkable and accurate information about the course of events. From hour to hour, approximately, one of his speedy messengers would meet those named, bringing the news to Gethsemane's makeshift headquarters.
From there, in turn, David sent other couriers to the points where the apostles had arranged to hide.
Bartholomew, Filipe, the two twins and Thomas went to the villages of Betfagé and Bethany. The remaining four, Shim-on the Zealot, James, Thaddeus and Andrew in Yerushaláyim.
Yousef asked the emissary:
— How are you Cephas?
The young man reassured him.
— He is accompanying the Rabbi, along with Yohanan.
Yousef nodded, he just didn't know if that was good or bad, Yohanan was in a bad way if he decided to act on his own.
— I think you should get some rest, sir.
Yousef nodded, he had no more strength, he knew that if he went to the Sanhedrim, he could harm Yeshua, he was not as active and influential a member as Kaiafa was, both were wealthy members, but due to the peculiarity of Armathajim's work and his absence, it complicated to have any active voice if there were a multitude of contra voices.
— I will withdraw, call me for any news.
The servant nodded.