A Story of God and All of Us - By Roma Downey Page 0,109
Caiaphas looking upset is extremely troubling.
A slightly breathless Nicodemus comes up the steps and joins them.
"You weren't much help," says Caiaphas.
"He's clever," Nicodemus counters. "The crowd worships him. There's something unusual about him that is easy for people to draw near."
"There's absolutely nothing unusual about him," Caiaphas snaps. "Except
for his ability to create havoc."
Caiaphas turns back to view the scene. Just in time to see one of the disciples approach his favorite servant, Malchus. There is an exchange between them. At first Caiaphas fears that their words will be angry, but whatever this particular disciple is saying surprises Malchus. The two clearly reach an agreement and then part ways. As the disciple hurries to catch up with Jesus, Malchus cranes his head upward to where Caiaphas stands.
The look on his face is all Caiaphas needs to see. Judas will betray Jesus.
Caiaphas turns to the elders. "We may have found a way to deal with this Jesus."
As he leaves the temple, Jesus is followed by the disciples, a crowd of excited new followers, and a few Jewish elders who want to know more about Jesus' teachings. Malchus trails far behind, working as Caiaphas's spy.
Jesus leads this unlikely procession of old friends, new friends, elders, and a spy down the Temple steps, then suddenly stops, turns, and faces them.
Malchus does his best to appear as if he's there accidentally, but his purpose is now clear.
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Jesus ignores him. Instead, despite the huge crowd, he speaks to his disciples as if no one else is there. "Do you see this great building?" he tells them. "I tell you that not one stone of this place will be left standing."
Peter and John look at one another. Did Jesus really say what they thought he said? Is he really threatening to destroy the Temple?
A Jewish elder has heard Jesus' words and questions him. "Who are you to say these things?"
Jesus continues talking to his disciples: "Destroy this Temple and I will build it again in three days."
"But it took forty-six years to build," replies the shocked elder. "How is this possible?"
Jesus doesn't answer him. He abruptly turns and continues on his way, leaving his disciples scratching their heads about what Jesus means by his comments.
"What does he mean?" asks the one they call Thomas, the one who is constantly so doubtful. "Destroy the Temple? I don't get it."
John has a gift for vision and insight that is unparalleled among the disciples. "He's saying that we don't need a stone temple to worship in. He will be our access to God."
"Really?" Thomas questions him, once again showing his unerring ability to question every little fact.
With that, John and Thomas hurry to catch up with Jesus.
Pontius Pilate's Jerusalem residence is far more sumptuous than his home in Caesarea, which is a good thing, because he rarely feels comfortable venturing outside when he's in Jerusalem. The city is totally Jewish, which is in stark contrast to the Roman design and Roman population of Caesarea.
He feels like a complete foreigner when in Jerusalem, living in a smal world with a completely different set of rules and way of life.
As Pilate and his wife Claudia take lunch on the veranda, Antonius, his 270
top military commander, enters and salutes. News of Jesus' confrontation with the money changers spread through Jerusalem in a matter of minutes, but it's only now that Pilate is about to hear of Jesus for the first time.
"We are eating," barks Pilate.
"So sorry to bother you, sir. But a Jew has been causing trouble in the Temple."
"You interrupt our meal for that?"
"Sir, he attacked the money changers and said he will destroy the Temple."
Pilate laughs. It is the first time Antonius has ever seen Pilate laugh, and the sight makes him uncomfortable. "He has a very large number of supporters,"
Antonius hastens to add.
Pilate's smile disappears. "What's his name?" he asks.
"They call him Jesus of Nazareth."
This catches Claudia's attention. "My servants talk about him," she says.
Pilate looks at her quizzically and then back to Antonius. He has made up his mind. "This Jesus is Caiaphas's business, not mine. But keep your eye on these crowds following him. If they get out of hand, I will shut down the Temple, festival or no festival.
"I mean it."
Caiaphas and the high priests are gathered, discussing the situation with Nicodemus, his servant Malchus, and his handpicked group of elders.
"He said what?" asks an incredulous Caiaphas.
Malchus is the first to reply: "That he would destroy the Temple."