Pilate said incredulously, “Answerest thou nothing…”
By Twe Stephens, 14th Feb 2012 | Follow this author
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— EXCERPT FROM UNFINISHED SEQUEL OF THE UNIVERSES OF GOD; THE CHRONICLES OF THE ANGELS ---- THE UNIVERSES OF GOD: THE CHRONICLES OF JESUS CHRIST
Pilate said incredulously, “Answerest thou nothing…”
Pilate said incredulously, “Answerest thou nothing…”
Pontius Pilate, an equestrian class officer in the Roman army before being promoted to govern Judea, was outside his bedchamber discussing the security logistics for the Passover Feast. Security was always problematic during the annual festival, when hundreds of thousands descended into Jerusalem. For that reason, he always made it a point to be in the city to ensure order.
His official title was Praefect; his main duties keeping order and ensuring taxes collected were sent to Rome. Pilate ruled Judea for eleven years, was politically connected, and zealous to protect his political status in Rome. His appointment rested solely on his ability to deliver peace and stability in the province he governed. He was a pagan of his era, ruling his family with an iron hand – his wife, Claudia Procula, was the niece of Emperor Tiberius: because of nepotism, he was quicksilver elevated through the military ranks.
Because of continuing uprisings and rebellions, Pilate was ruthless against anyone who might be a threat to the Roman stability, often sending the innocent to their deaths to instill unbridled fear and uncertainty of life.
Pontius was responsible for the cruel deaths of thousands of people. Judea was a difficult, rebellious, and difficult to govern; the populations steeped in a deep suicidal religiosity that transcended common sense, especially at this religious festival, when the city heaved under the unsustainable weight of the rowdy crowds and elevated lawlessness. Severe measures were necessary to keep control, for the population felt an intense hatred for the Romans, and any small quarrel could rapidly progress into an insurgency or revolt.
Claudia Procla, his wife, was Roman nobility; she was well-educated and independently wealthy, the illegitimate daughter of Julia, Augustus Caesar's only natural offspring. Procla’s mother eventually married Emperor Tiberius. But her immoral lifestyle caused her to be banished from Rome after her divorce from the Tiberius. The Emperor adopted Claudia Procla as his daughter after Julia gave birth to her and died.
A restless Claudia Procla tossed and turned fitfully in her plush bed, fighting the wet-wind-roar that engulfed all of her. She sat up suddenly, shotgun style, wide eyed awake, peering into the darkness, shocked she was in her bedchamber. The door suddenly burst opened as she saw the fear in her husband’s eyes, as the palace guards fanned into the room looking for any breech. Her mind rapidly paged through all the scenarios that could have brought him here like this; she had screamed.
Before Pontius Pilate could speak, a legion commander entered breathing hard, kneeling his feet. He looked at looked at Procla for a moment ascertaining nothing was wrong, nodded to her, and stepped back out into the marbled hallway; the Passover was always the week from hell.
“Praefect, there is trouble.”
“What, in the middle of the night? Tell me what is going on.”
“Caiaphas had the prophet arrested. There is a huge crowd massing around his house, and swords were drawn already over this man. When the morning comes and people find out what he did, they may be riots.”
“Which Prophet?”
“The famous one, the Galilean called Jesus of Nazareth.”
“Isn’t he the one who did the miracles? Why would they arrest him – he’s famous. What could he have possibly done?”
“The same Jesus that healed Centurion Acanthus’ servant. The commander paused and continued, “The Pharisees evidently hate the man.”
Pilate grimaced; it was always something. Because of the continual unrest, his troops were on guard for new rebel leaders; more riots and revolts occurred in Palestine than in anywhere else in the Roman Empire.
This Jesus appeared to be a serious threat for the masses called him Messiah and worshipped him. Millions followed him, many of whom might be easily swayed to revolt.
When the Pharisees murdered, they sent r provocateurs to incite a mob to stone the target to death. Their behavior is different concerning this Jesus; they were unable to murder him because of the entourage and those that followed him.
Pilate sighed in deep exasperation.
“Keep me informed on the status of this situation. No matter what, the commanders must keep peace by any means necessary.”
Walking to his bedchamber, he thought, she had another nightmare; the frequency night terrors were increasing, maybe he’d call the dream weavers for help. And the last though had before Pilate went to sleep was how much he hated the stinking Jews.
Across the city at Annas’s compound, Joseph of Arimathea shouted angrily. “Caiaphas, what the hell happened to him; have we judged before facts. Why is he in this condition – are you stinking stupid, millions follow this man!”
“He resisted arrest,” Nathaniel said sarcastically. It produced a spontaneous uproar peppered with long shouting matches, which ended by furious beating of the gravel. It took ten minutes to reestablish order.
Caiaphas sighed, this Jesus was destroying even the Priesthood – this man had to die
“Jesus was never our intention to treat you as a criminal before judgment. What is this doctrine that you and your disciples are spreading through Judea?”
Jesus spit out blood and answered. “You beat me up and drag me in here for this? I have spoken openly for all of Judea to hear, and have taught in the synagogues and in the temple. I have done nothing in secret – so why do you question me about the obvious known; ask those who heard me. Hundreds of thousands are my witnesses”
A guard said,” You dare talk to the High Priest that way – and he punched him hard in the mouth. Fifteen Priests had to be restrained by the guards. The uproar continued as all order was lost. Shoving matches erupted throughout the demarcation.
Jesus spat out more blood. “If I have spoken evil, tell me what I have said. But if not, tell me why you allow this man to hit me.”
“We ask the questions here,” Ruben interjected above the uproar.
“Don’t hit him again or I’ll kill you,” someone shouted at the guard Caiaphas begged for order; it too many minutes for to prevail.
Nathaniel recognized Nicodemas.
“I don’t know why I have to tell any of you this, you knows the scripture; miracles certifies the prophet truly sent by God. And having said that, I find his words are divinely inspired.”
“We have witness who will testify he said he could rebuild the temple in three days,” Ananias ben Nebedeus sneered.
Joseph of Arimathea spoke. “You expect me to swallow that this holy man was beaten up, abused, and has shed his blood, so you could ask him that stupid question?”
“Ananias, they wouldn’t have done this without your orders – you ordered them to do this! Look at his stinking face – and you call yourself a man of God,” Nicodemus interject; a roar of approval erupted in the background.
“He said we must eat his body and drink his blood because he is the bread of life. According to him, if we don’t do this we won’t have eternal life! What about that blasphemy you fool!” Ananias ben Nebedeus roared.
And the demarcations within the assembly reared, and everyone stated auguring vehemently. A shoving match exploded in the rear, as Caiaphas shouted repeatedly for order.
“We have heard witness after witnesses, and they can’t agree on anything, and we can’t evidently agree either. But one thing we all can agree on is this is stinking illegal. We shouldn’t be here; he shouldn’t be here,” Joseph of Arimathea shouted. “This whole trial is illegal – why are we doing this in the middle of the night! This is a good man!”
“You can leave if you don’t like it Joseph, “Caiaphas growled trying to keep his composure. “ You can complain to Annas anytime you want.”
“He has provoked a riot, and the Romans arrested everyone!” Ruben said. “You know what the Romans will do to us.”
“That riot was started by Barabbas! Get your stinking facts straight!”
“They don’t care about truth when a million people follow this man, Nathaniel said. “ Remember what Herod did to our children – no one complained. We are helpless!”
“So The One gave you a vision to arrest him for the greater good,” Joseph of Arimathea bellowed. “He’s one of us – even if we don’t totally agree with him. How many miracles have any of you done lately? This man standing here has done thousands, and we have presumption to judge him.”
“This entire assembly is a crime! There is no proof of anything,” Nicodemus said. Who called this meeting anyway at this ungodly hour?”
“Get him out of here! He is one of his followers!” Ruben said pushing him roughly. Thirty-six Priests stood up ready to defend Nicodemus.
Joseph of Arimathea screamed in passion, “Look at him! Look at him! Is this the way men of God act? He’s covered with blood for God’s sake; look at his face!”
Caiaphas stood up angrily banging his gravel hard in red-faced frustration. Everything was spiraling out of control. “Don’t you have anything to say Jesus? You’ve been quiet; defend yourself - you have no answer to these accusations? I ask you now in the name of The One, are you the Messiah, the Son of the living God?”
Jesus didn’t hesitate; “Before the construction of time itself; I am. And you Caiaphas shall see me sitting of the right hand of God, for I am The One, The One that created your soul, and this fishbowl universe. As it is written, all must be born again from the bag of waters into the flesh. And likewise, for this reason, I came into the earth.
“With love, your Lord comes into the earth to wear the flesh also, to defeat the very death you tremble before when you face the final tomorrow. And before any of you see the eternities your soul was constructed for – you will bow before me and worship The Lord Yahshua – The Son of God, your Creator, and possessor of your very breaths you breathe!”
Jesus said the sacred name that couldn’t be written; Joseph, Nicodemus, and half the assembly held their heads down in nuclear shock. Slow seconds ticked; everyone was speechless as suffocating silence filled the room. He had written his own death sentence.
Caiaphas stood up loudly proclaiming, “Blasphemy, blasphemy…”
Staggering backwards dramatically, the sounds vociferously resounding off the walls, he bellowed into the heavens “Blasphemy!” And after viciously renting his robe, he fell to his knees spewing crocodile tears.
The guards that held Jesus began to mock him; they blindfolded him, insulted him, and began slapping his face asking him to guess who had hit him. One guard took out pliers and pulled large chunks of Jesus’ beard out of his face. The blood poured down his vesture.
Ananias ben Nebedeus ignored the shocked faces of those around him. “This is what every stinking blasphemer gets in Israel. What is your verdict?”
The witnesses the council screamed for death. And Caiaphas walked up to Jesus full of indignation spit in his face and slapped him viciously in the mouth. A bloody tooth fell to the floor, as the council roared in conflicting emotions. And the Priest lined up and took turns spitting in his face: an unclean disgrace lasting seven days. But it did not matter for the madness was past the point of no return.
Nathaniel proclaimed victoriously to Jesus, “There’s no need for continuing discussion. We have heard enough; let him go before Pontius Pilate, in whose hands are the final authority for his blasphemy and our determination!”
Nicodemus looked at Joseph of Arimathea shocked. They both looked at Jesus. Tears ran down their faces as the guards clutched Jesus, beating and kicking him as they dragged him away from the riotous pandemonium exploding amongst the demarcations.
Peter staggered from Mary and John, excitedly pushing through the crowd trying to get closer to Jesus; it seemed futile, there were just too many guards around him. Intermittently there was a large slap followed by rancorous laughter. Two strangers clutched him hard making the crowd pause suspiciously.
“Aren’t you one of the blasphemer’s disciples?”
“I’ve never met the man. I do not know him, “Peter shouted above the roar.
“Yes I know him,” a woman shrieked. “He’s the false prophet’s disciple!”
Some unknown voice shouted above the pandemonium, as Peter struggled to push through the noisy wall of humanity. “Get him; he’s a blasphemer too”
“Shut the hell up! I don’t know the man!”
Four big men materialized around him while the woman continued to scream deadly accusations. “You’re Simon Peter from Capernaum! I’ve seen you with the blasphemer.”
“Get him; let’s stone him!” Someone punched him.
“God damn you! I fucking told you I do not know the man! By the balls of Jupiter, I swear I do not know the man!” In the distant background, the forlorn sound of a cock crowing traveled amongst the winds.
A few punches ensued, leaving Peter on the floor, his eyes wide with adrenalin as heartbeats vibrated all of him. Waves of anguish crashed repeatedly as he remembered Jesus’ words. Before the rooster crows, you shall deny me thrice.
And Peter stood up quickly, running through the rowdy crowds, into the courtyard, past the puzzled looks of Mary and John, weeping uncontrollably, wishing he were dead. The last sound he heard tore through his heart; it was Mary’s voice shouting, “It’s not your fault Peter – it has begun!”
He believed the Messiah would overthrow the evil oppressors and set up a perfect kingdom on earth. Because of the unending miracles, he expected the Kingdom of God to come, that he would be exalted into position and power in it.
No one seriously believed that Jesus would die, not matter what he said; how can one kill a God? Some things were impossible to believe no matter how infallible the source. Jesus would have misunderstood and arrested him anyway for perceived military action against Rome. Suddenly he began to understand the reasons Jesus acted the way he did.
Paul rested in a dark street after completing his self-inventory, wondering what would happen now – for he knew that Jesus was still the Son of the living God. And he wept bitterly for everything was over now.
At the same time outside of the city, Judas wept for hours in the wilderness, looking at the small dove in the wooden cage. He had been horribly used and manipulated by men of God – the wolves in sheep’s clothing designated as holy; the deepest unnatural unexpected. Jesus was so right about them; they were vipers. He fell with his face to the ground.
“Lord, O glorious and faithful God; turn a willing ear to my plea. I have delivered your beloved son into the hands of his enemies in blinding stupidity, erroneously believing it was for his better good. Incline your heart towards my supplications, for I am miserable in my soul; and give me the privilege of bringing visible and speedy help where help is needed most. Come to my assistance by undoing what I have done in error and in pride, hold it not against my soul. For my father and my father’s father worshiped you – and I have always loved you from my birth. Give me the succor of Heaven in all my necessities, tribulations and sufferings, particularly concerning Jesus, in which I have greatly erred.
“I have nothing but the hope of you. Let Jesus go free, and I will never cease to honor you all the days of my life. And furthermore, I will dedicate my children to your service if you’d forgive what I have done against the very Son of God. Forgive me!”
Judas then sacrificed the dove. “Sanctify me and make me clean by the blood of this innocent bird. Bless my efforts to make this right – I pray this in your holy name, Yahaveh The Most High. Amen.”
Before morning of that same fateful night, Judas walked up the magnificent steps leading into the Temple, with his heart full of the peace true repentance brings. He walked into Nathaniel’s office. The Lord would surely hear his prayer and would not allow mere men to harm his precious son. I can fix this. All things are possible within
Nathaniel looked tired.
“"I have sinned in betraying innocent blood. I don’t want the money; let him go."
“What is that to us; we could care less. You see to it yourself.”
Thirty pieces of silver loudly bounced across the polished marble flooring, the sound dancing off the massive thick wall tapestries.
“I swear you’ll regret this! Vipers, when I tell the world what you did to the Prophet – the people will have your heads!”
Judas could hardly breathe; he screamed, “They’ll kill all of you!”
A horribly disillusioned Judas ran into the streets. He let out a muffled sob after cursing the Pharisees anew, running faster trying to make sense of the most malevolent conspiracy the world would ever see.
Nathaniel looked sharply at Ananias ben Nebedeus and screamed, “I thought he was dead; we can’t having him running his mouth. You have people scouring the city for him and he just walks in here unmolested into my office!”
Ananias ben Nebedeus wiped the spittle from his face. He angrily gestured to the guard: within thirty seconds, nine incognitos followed Judas.
Judas left through the needle gate of the city. Suddenly he noticed moving shadowy figures circumambulating as he unsheathed his sword. Deep inside he knew it was futile. Extreme guilt made him fight like a demon, and he killed two before he succumbed to the sword slicing deep into his abdomen. There were many whooshes, and a burning deep in all of him; he fell forward with his bowels gushing onto the road, and fell to the ground dead. The guards hanged him from a tree, as Ananias ben Nebedeus ordered, to perpetuate the lie he committed suicide in regret of his betrayal. And the Pharisees brought a potter’s field with the monies Judas threw across the temple floor, for it was blood money and was unlawful to be returned to the treasury.
And the Elect soul called Judas for a nanosecond, called Mariah for all eternities, was reunited on the Paradise Planet with Allayah, Jesse, Elias, Mabou and all his friends who waited for the redemption of the Messiah. They talked about the Laviah Zoo, and all the cycles spent in space, even to the last ice planet he visited. And Paradise celebrated as billions of Angels remembered his fidelity born of unthinkable love, the uncommon agape of the first to raise his hand, so long ago.
And Mariah was filled within and without by the Holy Spirit, as he danced fitfully with the Zoon, unable to stop shouting with joy.
Comments
15th Feb 2012 (#)
What a big post indeed...!
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