Читать книгу Journey of the Pearl - A. E. Smith - Страница 14

The temple guard led them to the estate of the high priest. Malchus lived in a small house in the back corner of the grounds. Jamin, Cleopas, and Malchus carried Adas into the limestone block house. It had a tile floor and two latticed windows too high to see through, but they could convey a breeze. The sparse furnishings included a single bed butted against the wall.

“Over here,” Malchus instructed. “Put him on the bed.” Malchus barred the door. He lit his oil lamps with an ember. The light gently waltzed with the shadows on the limestone walls.

Malchus carried a lamp over to the bedside table. “Jamin, there’s water in the jug on the cabinet and bring the towels. Cleopas, get the jug of vinegar and the olive oil from the cabinet.”

Jamin brought the water jug and cloths. “Should we take his armor off and what about his caligae? He looks too young to be a centurion. I thought the Romans were meticulous about granting titles.”

“Perhaps not always,” Malchus said. “Leave his caligae. He’s not going to be here long enough to get comfortable. But we should get the armor off.”

They discussed his hand injury, but decided to treat the head and neck wounds first. They unfastened the leather straps connecting the two metal plates of armor and set them on the floor.

“Cleopas hold a lamp on the other side of the bed,” said Malchus. He tilted Adas’s head and inspected the wounds. “Apparently, the rock tore this gash. It’s a good thing it didn’t hit his eye. There will be a lot of bruising but he’ll live.”

Malchus washed the blood from Adas’s hair, face, and neck. He patted the wounds with a fresh cloth. “Cleopas put the cloth over his eye.” Carefully, Malchus poured vinegar on the injury. Adas groaned as he clamped his teeth together.

“I should have put something between his teeth. This gash must be deeper than I thought. Hold the light here, Jamin.” Malchus indicated the laceration under the jaw and poured vinegar on it. Adas made a low growl.

“He even sounds like a wolf,” said Jamin. Malchus and Cleopas threw him puzzled looks. “When you see his eyes, you’ll understand.”

Adas moaned again. “He’s trying to come around. That’s a good sign.”

“We should look at his hand,” said Jamin. “This wound must be fresh.” He carefully unwound the cloth. “These cuts are deep.” Holding Adas’s hand away from the bed, he poured water over the wound. He removed the seal ring and cleaned it. “Look at this. His seal is a wolf. That makes perfect sense.”

Malchus frowned. “Why?”

“You’ll see,” said Jamin. He dried the ring off and put it back on Adas’s hand. Malchus picked up a lamp and held it closer to the wound.

“It’s a cross,” said Cleopas, peering over Malchus’s shoulder. “This wasn’t an accident. Do you think the big soldier did this?”

“No,” said Malchus. “When I realized the legionaries were heading for the garden, I took a short cut and got there just before they did. His hand was already bandaged. If they did this to him before they left, he wouldn’t have still been there when they got back. Whoever did it, I’d like to know why.” He took a small towel and folded it several times. Carefully, he worked the cloth between Adas’s teeth. He picked up the jug of vinegar. “This stuff should stop the bleeding. Jamin, take hold of his fingers and thumb.”

Malchus poured the acid on the cuts. Frowning, Adas groaned as he bit into the towel. His jaw muscles jumped with the effort.

Jamin carefully blotted the cuts with a fresh cloth. “We should let it air a little before we re-wrap it, but the bleeding has stopped. Take the towel out of his mouth. Vinegar burns like fire, but it doesn’t last long, thankfully.”

Malchus examined the cut under Adas’s jaw more closely. “You know, this cut is odd. Octavean must have done it. I couldn’t see them when I climbed down behind the quarry. When I came up behind Octavean, he was about to hit him with his fist, but his dagger was still in his belt. He could have easily killed him then. I wonder why he didn’t.” Malchus inspected the red discoloration along Adas’s left cheekbone. He gently pressed the area. “It’s not fractured.”

“That Roman has fists like Goliath,” said Cleopas. “Are you sure?”

“No, I can’t be sure since we cannot see through flesh.” Malchus said patiently. “He doesn’t even know how close he came to death. It was fortunate we happened to be there.”

“No, Malchus, this Roman did not survive because of good fortune. Cleopas and I were there specifically to find him. He’s the only one who can tell me what Yeshua and my brother talked about during their crucifixion. Why do you want to talk to him?” Before Malchus could answer, Adas groaned and turned his head.

“Come on, before he wakes up,” said Malchus. “Cut two more strips from his tunic. Let’s cover these wounds.” They covered the head and hand injuries with folded squares of clean cloth treated with olive oil. They wrapped linen strips to secure the bandages.

“Your brother and Yeshua must have spoken in Hebrew,” Malchus pointed out.

“This soldier speaks Hebrew and he was close enough to hear.”

Adas became aware of voices, and that he was lying on a bed. He did not recognize the voices. He felt a dull pain at the back of his head. He cautiously opened his eyes. Instinctively, he slapped a hand to his belt, but his dagger wasn’t there. Three men were staring at him.

“Centurion, do not be afraid,” Malchus said calmly. “You’re safe here.”

Adas saw they had no weapons, and had not moved. He knew if they meant to harm him, they would have done so already. “Where am I?” he asked in Latin.

Malchus whispered, “I see what you mean, Jamin—he has the eyes of a wolf.” He addressed Adas, “You are in my home. We brought you here for your protection. We did not know if your men would return to finish you off. My friend says you speak Hebrew. That is unusual for a Roman soldier.”

Adas tried to push up on his elbows, but the room swam around him. He dropped back on the bed and brought a hand to the back of his head. He could feel a knot under the skin. Adas answered in Hebrew. “I learned it as a child.” He put a hand to his chest. “Did Octavean take my armor? Are we far from the Antonia? Did he take my weapons?”

“No, to the first two questions, and probably to the third. We are in my quarters on the estate of High Priest Joseph Caiaphas. Your armor is on the floor. Neither your weapons nor a knapsack were in sight,” Malchus said. “You are safe here. My name is Malchus and this is Jamin and Cleopas. What is your name?”

Adas touched the bandage across his forehead. “Could I have some water?” Jamin held the jar and Malchus helped Adas sit up. He drank deeply and collapsed back on the bed. “My name is Clovius Longinus. My praenomen is Adas.” The three men glanced at each other, surprised that the Roman had a Jewish praenomen. “I’m in your debt for stopping Octavean and bringing me here. Why would you take such a risk?”

“Jamin and I have questions you can answer,” said Malchus.

“You heard what Yeshua and my brother talked about. I was too far away.”

Malchus described the legionaries’ plot to stone Adas to death. Jamin explained that he and Cleopas intervened with Hektor and Falto’s rock collecting. Adas felt along his bruised cheekbone. “I remember how this happened.” He touched the underside of his jaw. “I don’t remember this.”

“A cut from Octavean’s dagger, no doubt. I couldn’t see everything that happened. But I saw the other two leave. However, Octavean’s dagger was in his belt when I confronted him. We can only guess why he didn’t finish the job.”

“I was stupid for staying there. I should have sent a patrol to arrest them.”

Malchus nodded. “Yes, that would have been smart. Why didn’t you?”

“This sounds irrational, even to me, but I saw someone in the garden. I was hoping he would come back.” Adas suddenly clutched at the neck of his tunic as his eyes went wide with panic. “Oh, I forgot. I gave it back.”

“Gave what back?” Malchus asked.

“It doesn’t matter.”

“You said you saw someone in the garden?” asked Jamin.

Adas described the man as best he could. “I can’t quite place where I’ve seen him before. Behind the tree, I could only see his face. I’d swear he looked like . . . but that’s not possible.”

Cleopas and Jamin exchanged glances. Jamin declared, “We know who he is.” Adas and Malchus waited for an answer.

Losing patience, Malchus demanded, “Well? Who is he?”

“The man you saw is Yeshua, the same man you crucified.”

“What?” exclaimed Malchus. “You know that was just wishful thinking. Besides, the prophets have been silent four hundred years, ten generations. Why now?”

“God decided it was time,” said Cleopas.

“If Yeshua is the Messiah, why did God let him be killed,” demanded Malchus.

“For our forgiveness,” said Jamin. “Yeshua, as God’s Son fulfilled eternal atonement for all humanity. Remember when he said, ‘Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish, but to fulfill.’ Never again will the shedding of blood be required to pay the penalty for sin. We are witnesses to a new covenant.”

“Why do you think it was Yeshua in the garden?” asked Malchus.

“Because we talked with him today—twice,” said Cleopas emphatically. “He explained about the prophecies being fulfilled when he appeared with us on the road to Emmaus and again with the others when he appeared in a locked room. He took food with us. He is alive! Yeshua is the Messiah. Many followers have seen him. First, the women in our group and. . .”

“What women?” asked Adas. “The ones who stood by the Nazarene when he died?”

“The Nazarene has a name!” Cleopas snapped. “You had plenty of time to learn it while you were torturing him to death.”

“Cleopas, it was God’s will. If this man had not carried out the death sentence, someone else would have. It had to be done. You know this. Yeshua told us himself, today. It is not this man’s fault.”

“It feels like it was my fault. Cleopas, I did not mean to be disrespectful.” He eyed the bandage on his hand. “I did have a choice. I could have refused the assignment. Somehow, I knew Yeshua was innocent of any crime.”

“Innocence is exactly the point, Adas. Only Yeshua could fulfill the law because he was without sin,” explained Jamin. “It is no coincidence you were in charge of his execution. You did something I believe will be retold down through the ages. You proclaimed that Yeshua is the Son of God. You were chosen, Adas, and you fulfilled your purpose. If God had not wanted you there, he would have chosen someone else. And I suspect God has other tasks for you.”

“I hope you are correct. There is something some people may dismiss, but I will never forget. When Yeshua stated, ‘It is finished,’ and immediately died, I knew I was witnessing something impossible. No man can make himself die simply by saying ‘It’s over.’ Even with suicide, a man must run on his sword, or throw himself from a cliff. When you saw Yeshua, did he have fresh injuries?”

“No, he was completely healed” said Cleopas. “But there are marks left by the crucifixion nails in his hands and feet along with the wound in his side. Jamin and I saw them. When he showed us the side wound, we also saw the marks of the whip. There were so many.”

Adas looked away, sickened at the thought. Jamin glanced at Adas’s bandaged hand. “You did that to yourself, didn’t you?” Adas nodded, but made no comment.

“In the fifth book of Moses,” Malchus said, “God tells us to bind a sign on the hand to remember His commands. Centurion, you have bound a sign on your hand. What happened to make you do this?”

“I knew I executed an innocent man. Then, when I saw him today, I knew who he was, even though I told myself it was impossible. Yeshua didn’t just look at me; he looked into me. I don’t think I’ll ever be the same. At least, I hope not. But there’s so much more I want to know.”

“We all have much to learn,” said Malchus. “I have much to think about. For now, we will get you back to the Antonia, but first, tell us what happened this morning?”

Jamin held a palm up. “Wait, tell me something about Friday. After you and the other soldier argued, Yeshua said something. I couldn’t hear. You looked shocked.”

“He said, ‘Forgive them, Father, they do not know what they are doing.’ I still can’t believe it.”

“Tell us what you saw today,” said Malchus. “Was it an angel?”

Adas told them what happened over the three days. He included how the silk merchant at the crucifixions accused him of murder. “To execute an innocent man is murder.”

“It had to be done, Adas.” Jamin remembered the skeletal man and shuddered. “You were an important part of God’s plan, but the question is what are you going to do about it? Are you going to ruin your life with guilt or accept Yeshua’s forgiveness?”

“Jamin is right,” Cleopas agreed. “I was wrong to judge you. But now you have a choice. You can stay mired in guilt, which will make you useless to God, or you can become a better man. Learn Yeshua’s teachings and live by his example.”

“Who would teach me? Yeshua forgave me, but will his followers?”

“Do you think we never asked Yeshua for forgiveness?” said Jamin. “Every one of us has failed in some way. No one is without blame.”

“I spied on Yeshua for Caiaphas,” Malchus admitted. “I took part in his arrest. When we got to Gethsemane, I stepped in to arrest him and one of his disciples sliced off my ear with a sword. Yeshua put his hand over the wound and the pain was gone. I reached up and felt—my ear. It felt perfectly normal. I tried to tell myself I had imagined the whole thing, but my blood-stained clothes said otherwise. To instantly heal such an injury is not possible. That’s when I lost all doubt. I was there to arrest him, but he looked at me with forgiveness. Yeshua is the Word, the Way, and the Truth.”

Adas asked, “You said you have questions, Jamin.”

Malchus held up a hand. “I have been selfish, wanting my questions answered and forgetting your situation. You must get back to the garrison, but you’re in no condition to walk that far, even with our help. Is there a friend you can trust?”

“Yes, Decurion Cassius Sabinus Quintus.”

“Does he ride a big, dark, bay horse?” Adas nodded. “I’ll go get him.”

“Listen, if Cassius hesitates, tell him, I promised I would check on Tigula, his mastiff. He’s not eating well. Draco is the name of his horse.”

“Good to know. I will be back shortly.” He patted Jamin’s shoulder. “Now it’s your turn.” He strode out the door and was gone.

“What do you need to know, Jamin?”

“I could not hear what Yeshua and Demas talked about for so long.”

“Yeshua explained why he had to die. He also talked about the completion of the prophecies. Demas didn’t understand at first, but then he did.” Adas told Jamin about the other thief’s comments and how Demas rebuked him. “Then your brother asked Yeshua to remember him when he came into his kingdom. And Yeshua said, ‘Today you will be with Me in Paradise.’ I could see Demas believed him, even though I was astonished at the statement. After the earthquake, Demas could barely speak, but he said to me, ‘Tell my brother, because I took up this cross, I go to be with God. Tell Jamin I will wait for him there.’ He also spoke of Yeshua. He said, ‘He is more than righteous. He is the Son of God.’”

Jamin dropped his head in his hands. Adas looked at Cleopas with concern, but he gestured everything was all right. Jamin raised his head. “Thank you! You have given my life back to me. My brother is alive with God.”

“There’s more. Demas felt no pain before he died.”

“How do you know?”

“Just before Octavean broke his legs, Demas suddenly relaxed. He said something I will never forget. He said, ‘You make the clouds Your chariot, You walk on the wings of the wind.’ Was he talking about God?”

“Yes, it is from the Book of Psalms. Demas said Yeshua promised to be with him when he was crucified. We didn’t know he meant that literally.”

Adas asked, “Why did Yeshua say, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani!’ as if God had abandoned him?”

“He was quoting from the 22nd Psalm. It prophesized how he would be rejected, put to death, and would live again.”

“I want to read this Book of Psalms. You say Yeshua is the final sacrifice, but why did he have to die in such a brutal way?”

“Because it is the law, and Yeshua fulfilled the law and the words of the prophets. Hundreds of years ago, Isaiah precisely described Yeshua’s earthly life in the 53rd section of his prophecies. Even his execution fulfilled prophesies. You refused to break his legs. It is fulfillment of prophecy for none of the Messiah’s bones to be broken the same as the lamb we prepare for Passover. You fulfilled prophecy when you gave Yeshua wine vinegar when he said, ‘I thirst.’ You need to meet Peter and John. They can teach you HaDerech, the Way.”

“If I live long enough. My men were very confident when they tried to kill me.”

“How will you deal with them?” Jamin asked. “Will you have them executed?”

“Of course! They also took bribes and abandoned their post. This kind of behavior cannot be permitted; otherwise, there would be complete chaos.”

“You’re right,” Cleopas said, “There has to be order and consequences. Laws exist for the good of the people. Yet, I believe God will deal with those soldiers in his own way.”

“By Roman law their execution is required. What else can I do?”

Jamin shrugged. “We don’t have all the answers, Adas. But did you not provide strong wine for Demas and the other thief? Did you not provide for the burial of the thief? He was a mere stranger to you and a criminal.”

“It was a matter of decency, that’s all.”

Cleopas frowned. “I have misjudged you, Adas. I apologize.”

“No apology needed, Cleopas. You helped save my life.”

“Malchus should be back by now,” said Jamin as he opened the door and checked the height of the moon. “He’s been gone nearly an hour.”

“You have endangered yourselves for my sake long enough.”

“Adas, you should not go back to the Antonia alone, especially unarmed,” exclaimed Jamin. “Hopefully, we will meet Malchus coming back with your friend.”

“You don’t need to go with me. I don’t want anyone at the garrison to know you’re involved. I feel bad enough involving Malchus.”

“We’re going with you,” declared Jamin.

“Can you stop us?” asked Cleopas.

“No wonder you two got the best of Hektor and Falto. Come on then.” They helped him put his armor on. Together, they stepped out into the night.