Risen in Deed!
The welcome cool of evening was approaching, as I snuck off to some corner of the garden to escape the incessant tantrums of Nicodemus's grandson. The child was beside himself; inconsolably wandering the house looking for his mother. Nicodemus tried to calm him; and so did Joseph, Ignatius, Helina, and most of the female members of Ignatius's household. Even Cornelius lent his attempts, but all the tike did was scream in terror at the sight of the military men.
This rather confused us all, for we were certain it wasn't Roman soldiers who were guilty of this crime; but what about Herod's private guard? Horatio raised the question to Cornelius. I'd recalled from Jesus trial, that they all appeared to be clad in maybe older surplus military garb? Change the color of the tunic underneath and they could pass as Roman soldiers; especially to a terrified 4 year old.
The streets were getting chaotic again as Cornelius had gone to report these new developments to Pilate; as well as apparently wishing to escape the child's screeching. I could tell from their reactions that they suffered much in the same way I did from the noise. Soldiers with PTSD and screaming children usually don't make good combinations.
I had stood upon the roof earlier that day and watched this witch hunt brewing in the city; as what basically looked like small groups of thugs slinked from house to house searching for Galileans. I'd supposed. Soldiers were deployed to disperse anyone who appeared to be assembling for nefarious reasons and if this wasn't quite Pilate's version of martial law; I could tell we were getting close.
The day vacillated between boisterous and calm. Yet once again, soldiers were out in the streets herding the sheeple. Yes, there was stir being made of the bodies found in the priestly apartment; but more of what the commoners sought, was this tomb Roman soldiers were posted to guard. There had been multiple passersby I'd noted, as priests and members of the Sanhedrin lurked about for those they could 'scold' for their tomb seeking curiosity. Nothing to see here! Move along! The sound bites of 1st Century CNN announced; as they tried to distract the masses from the more notable murder they had committed.
Once again, my mind commenced wandering, and... of all things, back to the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's. Now how pathetic would it have been if a bunch of southern black church leaders brought Martin Luther King to the police in Mississippi and said: "Here take this man, he's creating problems."
The police then tell them: "Don't worry, we'll give the boy a good whopping!" After this, the masses convince the Mississippi authorities to lynch King. The police ask: "You want us to lynch your leader?" And they all scream: "We have no leader but Jefferson Davis!" Now how whacked would that be? I cynically laughed. Yeah, but that is exactly what happened to Jesus!
Things seemed to have quieted as (now after 3 hours) Nicodemus's grandson; Isaiah, had managed to scream himself into not much more than a whimper. I saw them as I entered the dinning hall in search of some thing that resembled fruit. Joseph was holding the child, as Ignatius attempted to comfort an exhausted and frazzled Pharisee who was once again trying desperately to control his own tears.
[Come on.] Ignatius instructed as he turned Nicodemus around and physically directed him out of the dinning room. [We will look after the boy while you get some sleep.]
Poor fellow. I thought to myself. The cost of discipleship was already exacting it's toll.
Dark seemed to be quickly descending, as I paced restlessly planning and pondering how I was going to get to the tomb. Helina seemed more interested in... or maybe of access to... me, as the fellas were all involved in their own planning and pondering of 'who done it'; and how to get Nicodemus, Joseph and little Isaiah out of the city. They were counting on the dark to aide them, as it seemed Ignatius had instructed some of his servants to gather provisions, that were now to near full muster on the dinning room table.
Helina had followed me up to the roof earlier, as I'd showed her where the tomb was and she observed the bored guards milling about trying to stay coherent by throwing pebbles at each other in a never ending game of 'can I annoy you more'? She'd indicated to me that she recognized some of the soldiers and she didn't think we'd be in any trouble of them, if we 'dropped by for a visit'. Well, I wasn't particularly interested in visiting the soldiers; as I knew they'd all be unconscious once the main event of history commenced. If I actually made it to 'the right place at the right time'; I'd be the only mortal human I ever knew of, who actually witnessed the resurrection! I chuckled to myself.
Well, in trying to calm my restless anticipation; I settled down for a... power nap.
A trumpet volley woke me and just as I realized it was the first crowing of the cock; came Helina hurrying into my room. Torch in hand and eager for some adventure, she shoved a bag of vaguely familiar objects into my lap, as I slowly sat up and tried to focus. Once I was awake enough to actually see strait...
Come! She enthusiastically motioned.
Helina was clad as a female version of an auxiliary Roman defender. I'd seen a couple of these types of... 'civilian contractors' in Antonia as we were traipsing Jesus around half way between hither and... Thy Kingdom come! Apparently the Roman military had their own version of WAC's; I'd noted as the weapons they wielded were smaller lighter versions of typical soldier armaments.
Helina posted her torch a moment as she tossed me a belt with a dagger and a brown hooded woolen cloak that resembled an 18th century watch coat. She had a similar garment, she was in the process of fastening around her shoulders, while I was pulling mine on over my civilian clothing. She helped me with the belt, as I slung the bag over my shoulder, before she retrieved her torch and we were on our way.
I hoped Helina knew how to find her way around this city in the dark better than I did. Although I figured we wouldn't too easily miss a bunch of angels and someone rising from the dead; even if I didn't know exactly how to get to where we were going. I figured we could just look for the tomb with all the excitement!
We soon headed down the stairs and out the door; filled with anticipation of what we were about to witness. Maybe we'd get there in time to actually see it happen? I eagerly rubbed my hands together. I always wanted to know what angels looked like and what about the soldiers faces when all of this came down the pike? We would certainly beat Mary and Mary to the punch and what about Jesus? What would He look like? Would He look much different than He did Monday; the first time I saw Him? Would I even recognize Him? I wondered.
Maybe I'll just look for the guy with brown eyes and brown hair that looks like a gardener. I chuckled to myself, as I pondered all the possible reasons no-one recognized Him. I questioned. Maybe it was just because He wasn't what they were expecting? No, in reality He turned out to be more than any of us were expecting! Either way, I was looking forward to trying my eye at the great mystery of all-time - could I pick Jesus Christ out of a crowd?
I walked fast; trying to hurry Helina along; since though I was in a rush of excitement, I still didn't know where I was going. We walked through the deserted streets of Jerusalem making our way as quickly as we could, to the Triple Gate and the Red Heifer Bridge. I got this sense that dawn was rapidly approaching and it wouldn't be long until the 'first day of the week' would be upon us.
We soon exited the city and were on our way across the bridge that stretched to the top of the Mount of olives, just before the cemetery. We skittered around the red heifer altar, before we descended the path leading to the cemetery entrance. Helina extinguished her torch and we picked up our pace, as we could hear commotion in the not too distant path; then the cock crowed a second time. We must be getting close I figured, when Helina nudged me and pointed to a soldier wandering aimlessly, chasing pebbles he was kicking about in his boredom.
We had come to another tomb; standing in it's stairwell, when I too could see one of the guards. He had his back to us, as he watched one of the others throwing pebbles at the stone that stood in front of the mouth of the grave.
[Come out, come out, wherever you are?] He giggled as the voices of his comrades chided his silly behavior.
[Are you guys taking this watch or just wanna throw rocks at a dead man?]
[You wanna stay?]
[Shut up, we've already been here 6 hours.]
[Does he snore?]
[What?]
[Who... him, or me?]
[No, he's talking about the dead guy.]
One of the other guards just shook his head as he began to pick up pebbles and hurl them back at his comrades. An all out pebble war was about to erupt when they suddenly stopped. Helina and I only looked at each other, for we could hear it too. It was that all too familiar sound of a freight train; just before the big one hits!
We stood clinging to the rocks of the tomb we were hiding near, when the ground began to holler - Let's Rumble!
"It's Party TIME!" I exclaimed as the first thought that popped into my head suddenly slipped out.
At this point it seemed nearly pitch black and I struggled with all my strength to remain where I stood, so I could witness the greatest event in history.
I watched the soldiers trip and stumbled, while the violent shaking rocked the entire mount. We both screamed; for a loud crack burst in our ears and a blinding streak of lightening flashed out of heaven. I struggled to get to my feet, but my legs were shaking so badly I couldn't stand up. I was trembling all over, as I tried to crawl around the other side of this tomb. Helina was laying on the ground in front of me; unconscious. I rested my forehead on her shoulder a moment or two, since I also felt like I was about to pass out.
The earthquake subsided and I looked up. I could hear what sounded like singing? Maybe I was hallucinating and my ears were still ringing from the incredible crack, sizzle boom the lightening had displayed. I questioned as I peered into the sky. I could see faint stars through this brilliant light glowing out from everywhere. What is that and where is it coming from? I questioned as I tried to get up. I couldn't move very well. All I managed to do was roll onto my side, while I continued to gaze heavenward for some indication as to what was actually going on?
The singing is getting louder? I questioned, for I could hear what sounded like a man's voice howling through the still air. Is that pain or... ? I puzzled a moment as the blinding light began to subside. Several moments had breathed their silent gasp when I noticed someone carrying at torch run past us. I picked my head up and swung around. Right in the path, paused the silhouette of a young man towered over by a strong stern bright faced figure.
[Cepheus.] He spoke in a whisper as he held his hands out. [Your cloak.]
The young man quickly took his cloak off and handed it to the figure; who slowly turned and almost gliding, descended the steps of the tomb. The bright glow faded to nothingness when I noticed another figure venturing toward the burning of the young man's torch. Wrapped in the cloak he'd just handed to the angel; stood a shivering form in bare feet and straggly hair.
[Praise ...the ...Lord.] He whispered. [He... is... risen.]
[Risen in deed.] Answered... Jesus.
I slowly climbed to my feet in stunned shock. The two turned toward me as I crept out of the rocks from the adjacent tomb. I tip toed in gingerly little hops over unconscious Roman soldiers, never for a moment taking my eyes off the form before me.
Behind Him, the mouth of the cave stood open like a giant monster now dead and devoid of it's power to swallow me up. Sin and death had been conquered and now all that was left was this empty grave. I realized as my thoughts flashed between it and this innocent, vulnerable,... sweaty... quietly giggling in joyful excitement; incarnate expression of God's goodness and love. I put my hand up to my face as I quietly giggled back. Yes, that tomb was black as charcoal and though I could see nothing in this chilly night air; I realized that blackness was actually a good sign. The fire of hell on my behalf; had been extinguished.
Suddenly, after all this time; the only Scripture verses I could manage to remember came flooding through my thoughts like the song who's wispy melody still vibrated in the air around us.
I am the rose of Sharon and the lily of the valleys.
As the lily among the thorns, so is my love among the daughters.
As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons.
I sat down under his shadow with great delight and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
He brought me to the banqueting house and his banner over me was love.
Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples; for I am sick of love.
His left hand is under my head and his right hand does embrace me.
I charge you, Oh daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes and by the hinds in the field; that you not stir or awaken my love until he please.
The voice of my beloved; behold he comes, leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills.
My beloved is like a roe or a young hart; behold, he stands behind our wall.
He looks forth at the windows showing himself though the lattice.
My beloved spoke and said to me:
Rise up my love, my fair one and come away.
For, lo the winter is past, the rain is over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth.
The time of singing has come and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land.
The fig tree puts forth her green fig, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell.
Arise my love, my fair one and come away.
Oh my dove, that is in the cleft of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs; let me see your countenance.
Let me hear your voice, for sweet is your voice and your countenance is comely.
Take us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines; for our vines have tender grapes.
My beloved is mine and I am his; he feeds me among the lilies.
Until the day break and the shadows flee away; turn my beloved, and be like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether.
And with that; shivering hands and a still, gentle giddiness, He turned away and hopped and jumped, cuddling the cloak snuggly around His naked body, spun in a circle and began skipping up the path in His victory dance over death.
Young Cepheus, the cemetery caretaker's son only looked at me, shrugged, cracked a smile and ran after Him.