ELEAZAR

Eleazar sat across from his father in the family library. The room was lavishly decorated with beautiful mosaics covering the floor and ornate colorful tapestries from all parts of the empire hanging from the walls. The back wall held hundreds of scrolls, including works from Jewish, Greek, and Roman authors. His father was a true scholar, extremely well read, and able to discuss anything from the Greek works of Homer and Polybius to Jewish works such as the life of Tobit and the extremely bizarre and misguided oracles of Daniel. But affixed prominently above all of these was a beautiful and pristinely kept Torah scroll, the most sacred Scripture of all Jews. This scroll contained the sacred way of life that God had laid out for his chosen people, and following that way of life was the people’s loving response to their divine election. His father knew the Torah as well as any in Israel, and he could debate its proper interpretation with the most learned scribe or Pharisee.

Caiaphas looked up from the letter he was reading from Pilate, the governor of Judea. “It seems our governor is particularly concerned about the coming Passover. He is considering bringing additional soldiers with him to Jerusalem when he comes for the week of the festival. He thinks an additional show of force might serve as a deterrent to any thought of riot or revolt.”

“It seems a prudent move, Father,” Eleazar replied confidently. “While adding such a small number of troops to the thousand or so already stationed here doesn’t really provide additional protection from a rioting mob, appearances do matter. Just the glimpse of Roman scarlet is often enough to make commoners think twice before they pick up a club or rock.”

“Perhaps,” Caiaphas replied. He paused and stroked his long graying beard. “Or perhaps such a demonstration unnecessarily raises tensions. Some might perceive such a move as antagonistic. Is parading more Roman power in front of a people who are already angry about its presence a wise move? I am not so sure it is. There is far more to peace than a show of force. Pilate has come a long way, but still he seems slow to learn this truth.”

The correction stung a bit—it always did. But despite the sting, Eleazar couldn’t deny the wisdom that regularly dwelt in his father’s words. From this wisdom he had learned countless valuable lesson, each one often a chisel to his own pride. “I hadn’t thought of it that way. Perhaps you are right, Father. Will you then write to Pilate and suggest he not bring these troops?”

“I may include a subtle suggestion,” his father said, “but it is highly unlikely his mind will change on this matter. There is little point in using all your strength in a fight you are sure to lose. Best to save your energy for the more important and winnable battles—this prophet from Galilee, for example.”

“What is Pilate’s estimation of him?”

“He is extremely concerned,” said Caiaphas. “His informants have told him that Jesus has left Galilee and is headed south. Pilate is convinced he is coming to Jerusalem for the Passover, and no doubt he is correct.” He paused, a concerned look on his face. “I am afraid this prophet will be our problem soon, my son. Pilate is considering an attempt to arrest him before he ever gets to the city. He feels that if Jesus makes it to the city, the potential fanfare around him will make the situation incredibly difficult to deal with.”

“That seems a legitimate concern,” said Eleazar, again seeing the logic in the governor’s thinking. “If his popularity here rivals that of his popularity in Galilee, any attempt to arrest him will be challenging. The arrest itself will run the risk of triggering a violent response from the people. And many of our informants have indicated that at least some people are talking about him as a messianic deliverer. There seems to be a growing energy surrounding the rumors that he might come to Jerusalem for the Passover.”

Caiaphas nodded. “You and Pilate are right—there is reason for concern. But I still feel we don’t know enough about this man’s intentions to make such a move. So far, he has made no open declarations of rebellion against Rome, and as far as my informants, as well as Pilate’s, know, he has made no claim to be a ‘messiah’ or ‘deliverer’ of Israel. If Pilate arrests a popular Jewish prophet right before the Passover, it will greatly raise the anger of the people toward Pilate, making his visit to the city precarious indeed. Can you imagine the reaction when Pilate enters Jerusalem with three hundred soldiers? Even if we were to avoid violence, such action would cast a dark shadow over the week’s festivities.”

While his father had a point, Eleazar pushed the governor’s position further. “But would the danger not be greater if he entered the city and it became clear that he did style himself Israel’s Messiah? He himself could be the catalyst of revolt. And trying to arrest him at that point could also be a catalyst for the same.”

“Perhaps,” Caiaphas acknowledged, “but what if he is only coming to the city as a peaceful participant? What if he has no intention of inciting the people? If that is the case, we would not only be arresting an innocent man, we would potentially be creating the very problem we want to avoid. In my estimation, the only scenario that does not bring the risk of violence and riot is one in which this Jesus comes to the city as a peace-minded prophet. At this point, we don’t know whether this is the manner in which he will come. From what we do know, it is certainly possible. His coming to the city as a popular messiah would be the worst possible outcome, as it brings the greatest risk of violence. But arresting him prior to the festival is only marginally less risky. As such, I favor allowing him to come to the city unimpeded. Here we can watch him more closely and better assess the level of risk he presents. I understand this plan of action is risky, but it carries with it the best possible reward—the peace of our city.”

Eleazar was not convinced, but it was clear his father had made up his mind. He asked, “So this is the plan that you will suggest to Pilate? Do you think he will listen?”

“Yes, it is the plan I will recommend,” Caiaphas answered. “I will urge him to call off any arrest attempt and allow the prophet to come into the city. It is here that I will exert my strength and hope to win. Pilate has proven to be reasonable, and his past failures have certainly made him open to my counsel. But he may still find the safest way forward is to eliminate the threat of Jesus before it becomes a true problem. We must be prepared either way.”

The comment about the need for preparation gave Eleazar the entry point to inform his father about another potential threat that faced them. “Father, I think we might also need to be prepared for Annas. Joanna was at a dinner party last night, and my cousins Mattathias and Jacob were holding court regarding Jesus and his potential visit to the city. They spoke of what a threat he was, of how we need strong leadership to handle him, and that they hoped the current leadership was up to the challenge. The entire discussion was a thinly veiled critique of you as high priest. Sadly, their comments raised much concern among the guests, many of whom are important power brokers.

“After a bit too much to drink, Jacob let it slip that Annas intends to meet personally with Pilate when he arrives, and that he would express his concerns regarding the present leadership’s ability to maintain the city’s security and peace. He was on the verge of saying more, but Mattathias silenced him. Knowing them, I am confident they were parroting what they heard from their fathers, or perhaps Annas himself. They are far too dimwitted to have their own thoughts on the matter. Regardless, it seems clear that Annas is making his own preparations, and we must be ready for them.”

These words seemed to bring a sadness over Caiaphas. “This news is not surprising, Son, as your grandfather has been scheming to have me removed as high priest from the day I was appointed. But you are right—we must keep our eye on him as well. We face a battle on many fronts, and we cannot ignore any of them. Sadly, Annas’s true concern is his own prestige and power—he cares little for the safety and security of the city. He no doubt sees this Passover visitation of Jesus as an opportunity. Should I misstep, either by dealing too harshly or not harshly enough with this prophet, he knows I will incur political damage with the people, Pilate, or both. Thus, he will surely push me to misstep one way or the other. When I do, like a vulture, he will be ready to swoop in and take advantage.”

He paused for a moment, thinking over the challenge his father-in-law presented. “If we can ascertain which direction of a misstep he will favor, perhaps we can use that to our advantage.” Then, with somewhat of a change in his mood, he said, “I am very pleased with your marriage to Joanna, Son. She is as wise and as shrewd as she is beautiful—she may end up being one of our most important informants.” A warm smile emerged as he said these words.

His father was not generous with his praise for his children, and this praise for his wife filled Eleazar with pride. However, he thought best to conceal it if there was ever to be further praise. “Thank you, Father. I will convey your praise and tell her to continue to be alert for information that might prove useful. She is quite fond of you as well, and will do what she can to help you and our family.”

Caiaphas nodded. After a brief silence, he returned to business. “That brings us to the status of our current informants. You met with Aaron about this?”

“Yes,” Eleazar replied, “he updated me this morning. We currently have over fifty informants spread across the city. They are aware of how valuable their information will be during the festival. We assigned five to monitor the outer courtyards of the temple, one to each gate. We designated the rest to prominent taverns, markets, and shops. They know how to reach their handlers if any urgent information comes to them, and the handlers will then bring the information directly to us. We can be confident that little of significance will happen in the city without us knowing it quickly.”

“Very good,” said Caiaphas. “I must thank Aaron for his excellent work in this regard. Jesus or no Jesus, knowledge is power, and thus it is the key to the peace and security of the city. Hopefully these informants will help bring about the results we are paying them so well for.”

Their conversation was interrupted by a knock at the door. As if on cue, Eleazar’s uncle Aaron appeared. He and Caiaphas exchanged kisses on the cheek. “Were your ears burning, Brother?” Caiaphas asked. Aaron looked confused. “We were just talking about you, and Eleazar was passing along your update on our informants. Well done, indeed!”

“Thank you, Brother,” said Aaron. “But I have important news that cannot wait! The Roman commander has arrested three people for the recent ambush and murder of five Roman soldiers.”

This was stunning news. “Who was arrested, and when?” Caiaphas asked urgently.

“Only two hours ago,” Aaron answered. “They arrested a man named Joseph, the son of a local tavern owner. They also arrested a Simeon, who was at the tavern at the time of the arrest and tried to escape. The soldiers took this as a sign of his guilt and arrested him too. The third man was Joseph’s cousin, a man named Samuel, who had accused Roman soldiers of raping his sister. His kinship with Joseph and his strong motive for retribution were the primary reasons for his arrest.”

Eleazar saw concern on his father’s face. “Surely there were more men involved in the death of these five Roman soldiers. Are more arrests expected?”

“At this time there are certainly suspects, men close to these three, but the others cannot be found,” Aaron answered. “The Romans are hopeful that they can extract the names of the other men from those now held in prison.” The thought of these men being tortured for information was clearly troubling to Caiaphas, and Eleazar sensed his father was concerned whether they had arrested the right men.

“How did you come to this information so quickly?” Caiaphas asked.

“The Roman commander himself sent me a message informing me of these arrests and thanking me for my assistance. The information that led to the arrests came from one of our informants. The commander also said to pass along his thanks to you for your wisdom regarding how to proceed with the investigation. He recognizes that his original plan for harsh and widespread interrogation would have likely driven the assailants into hiding, while your advice of a subtle and quieter investigation has produced great fruit.”

Caiaphas nodded thoughtfully. “Well, if these men are indeed guilty, I am thankful we were able to assist in their arrest. However, I am concerned about how these arrests might affect the Passover. No doubt they will only add to current tensions.”

Eleazar broke the silence he had maintained since his uncle’s entrance. “I understand your concern regarding rising tensions, Father, but I wonder if these events might be helpful as you seek to persuade Pilate not to arrest the prophet Jesus. He was reluctant to instruct the Roman commander to take a light hand in the investigation of the murders, but now your advice has proven prudent. Perhaps this might induce Pilate to consider your advice regarding Jesus?”

The look on his father’s face made it clear that this idea had not yet occurred to him, which gave Eleazar a degree of pleasure. After a thoughtful pause, Caiaphas replied, “Perhaps you have identified a means of leverage, Son. But one must be careful in applying pressure to a Roman governor.” As usual, his father was not generous with acknowledgment of Eleazar’s own wisdom. The earlier praise of Joanna was likely enough for one day. All the same, Eleazar took pleasure in the knowledge that he too could take a chisel to his father’s pride.

CALEB

A few weeks had passed since his recruitment as an informant, and the shop was again buzzing with customers. The influx began just two days after Caleb had met with Aaron, before he had even delivered any information. On the second day after the meeting, a wealthy merchant had come in and placed a large order for oil lamps—and, shockingly, paid half of the cost up front. The next day, a small but expensive order came in from a prominent priest. In just two days Caleb had made almost as much as he had made in the past year!

With this dramatic change in fortune, he noticed a change in his mood and attitude as well. His anxiety had all but disappeared, and with it his fear, anger, and despair. He found himself smiling often, even engaging customers with what might border on charm and wit—nothing like his father, of course, but he was displaying a sociability that was surprising to even himself. He actually felt happy for the first time since his father had passed away.

But he was keenly aware that this newfound success did not come without a cost. He knew that he needed to be useful, to pay attention to the conversations of the people around him and gather information that would be useful to his new benefactor. Just days after being recruited he began to frequent popular taverns—reputable ones, of course. He paid attention to the political climate of the room and listened for any bit of information he might be able to pass on. Perhaps most noteworthy was the talk about the popular Galilean prophet, Jesus, and his possible visit to Jerusalem for the Passover. There was much excited speculation about his potential messianic ambitions. Apparently, the prophet himself was quite circumspect with any sort of messianic identification, but the things he did and taught had convinced many he was indeed God’s anointed one. Caleb felt this sort of information was somewhat beneficial, though it was not specific enough to be particularly valuable.

For more valuable information he was going to need a different strategy, and his cousin Judah might just be the answer. Fortunately, Judah came by the shop just three days after Caleb’s meeting with Aaron. As always, Judah spoke of the evils of Rome and the need for the people of Jerusalem to rise up against them. This time, Caleb gave subtle indications that he might be more open to Judah’s way of thinking than he had been in the past. He didn’t want to come on too strong, but he wanted his cousin to sense there might be an opening.

Judah did press that opening three days later on his second visit to the shop. Before he left, he told Caleb he recognized a potential change of heart and wondered if he might be more favorable to the cause of liberty for Jerusalem. Without seeming too eager, Caleb admitted that he might be. “Give me time to think more about this,” he told Judah, who left with more hope than he ever had in the past.

It was almost a week later when Judah came by the shop a third time, seeking to gauge the temperature of his cousin’s interest. This time Caleb moved a step further, saying he was intrigued but didn’t know what he should or could do. As he already knew, his cousin was ready to help; on the spot he invited him to a secret dinner! Things were going better than Caleb could have hoped. The dinner would be the following evening, and there would be many there that he already knew. It would be held in the home of Solomon, a prominent Pharisee. Caleb knew both the home and its owner well; Solomon was one of his father’s closest friends, and Caleb had dined in his home many times. To Judah’s great delight, Caleb accepted the invitation.

When Caleb arrived the next evening, a familiar slave greeted him. To Caleb’s surprise, the slave led him past the dining area and down into the basement, a large room that was used as scriptorium. It was well lit with torches and a table was set up with foods of a wide variety, including loaves of fresh bread, dates, grapes, figs, and dried fish. In addition to this bounty, it was clear there would be no shortage of wine.

A number of guests had already arrived, and Caleb recognized many of them. There was Simeon, a childhood friend of both Caleb and Judah, but he was always much closer to Judah. Simeon’s face still bore the vicious scars and deformation from his beating by a Roman soldier. There was also Joseph and his cousin Samuel, again childhood friends with whom Caleb had not remained close. Samuel was Judah’s best friend, and from the time they were children everyone had recognized their special bond. The rape of Samuel’s sister by a Roman soldier, just months ago, had hurt Judah deeply. He couldn’t speak of it without tears, and Caleb had heard him speak countless times of exacting justice for this great evil. Over the next half-hour the rest of the guests arrived, numbering a total of twelve. Solomon was not among them, and Caleb never saw him that night.

Over the course of the meal, it became clear to Caleb that nine of these men had been a part of this group for some time, while three, including himself, were newcomers. It was also clear that this meeting was social in nature. They made no plans and discussed no strategies. There was much talk about the hatred of the Romans, the need to drive them from the city, the growing anger of the people that was bound to break out soon in violence, and potential catalysts for just such a popular action. There was some talk of the popular Galilean prophet, Jesus. One had it on good authority that he was making his way to Jerusalem for the Passover, which was only weeks away. Some saw this as a great opportunity to find an ally in the fight against Rome, while others were skeptical that this prophet’s aims aligned with their own. Judah claimed that whether he was an ally or not, his presence alone would create the potential for chaos. “A popular prophet, dead or alive, can move a people to act,” he said. They only needed to be prepared for whichever way the wind might blow. It was decided that when he arrived, he would need to be monitored. One suggested the possibility of meeting with him and discussing his intentions or their common goals. All agreed this was a good plan.

Caleb thought the discussion surrounding Jesus was interesting and might be useful to pass along. But when the discussion turned to the recent ambush of five Roman soldiers, he thought he had truly struck gold. Joseph raised his glass and toasted to the first strike in the war against Roman oppression—the five Roman soldiers that fell to Jewish patriots. This led to a roar of cheers, which Caleb joined. Most of those present believed this victory demonstrated that devout and faithful men with a well-made plan could overcome the vaunted Roman soldiers. While no guest claimed to have participated in the ambush, Caleb perceived a sort of pride in the discussion that seemed strange for those who were not actually a part of it. Additionally, the guests exchanged glances that suggested they knew more about this attack then they were letting on. It was almost as if these men were both distancing themselves from the event and taking credit for it at the same time. Something was going on that Caleb couldn’t fully perceive.

Clarity finally came from a comment made by Joseph. Someone pointed out the carelessness that came from Roman arrogance, and said that a vigilant people could use such carelessness to their advantage. Joseph then said loudly, “True words, my friends, and to think this recent attack began with drunk Roman soldiers talking too loudly in a tavern!”

Again, a roar of cheers erupted. Again Caleb joined in while his mind quickly connected the dots. Joseph’s mother owned a tavern, and he worked there with her. No doubt he was the one who overheard these soldiers. And if he was the source of the news, then he had to have passed it on to those who executed the attack. And then, as if Caleb’s eyes had opened for the first time, the whole truth hit him: all of them had been a part of the attack! He looked at Judah, who was quietly smiling around at his friends. It was then that Caleb knew his cousin was not only involved, but he was also their leader.

Caleb’s mind reeled as he was walking home that night. He had always known that Judah was zealous for the future glory of his people, but he had never dreamed his zeal would lead him to this level of action. The night’s revelations were truly alarming. The question now was what he would do. Surely his benefactor would want to know everything: the names of those at the dinner, who hosted it, their assessment of Jesus and plans to engage him, and especially their role in the deaths of five Roman soldiers. Caleb knew he could not pass along all this information. He would not directly betray his kin and friends—he had told Aaron as much. He must filter all he had learned. He could offer information that was useful, but nothing that would lead to the arrest of Judah or his coconspirators —all of whom were Judah’s friends.

He spent most of a sleepless night thinking about what he would report. By sunrise he felt he had reached at a good compromise, though he would present it as the totality of what he had gathered. That morning he switched the order of two pots on display in his front window, the agreed-upon signal that he had information to pass on. Today would be the first time he met with his contact for this purpose.

Shortly after he gave the signal, his contact entered the shop. He asked for a specific prearranged item, which Caleb said he had in stock. He then invited the man to come to the back of the shop to look over his inventory. When they were alone in the back of the shop, Caleb quickly gave his report. The talk of the prophet Jesus was growing in the city, and with it excitement over his coming. There was talk that members of a secret resistance movement were interested in meeting with this Jesus when he arrived, and that they hoped to find allies in him and his followers. Finally, he had heard from a reliable source that the attack on five Roman soldiers originated from information gained from drunken Roman soldiers talking too loudly in a tavern. His contact pressed him for more information about the attack, but Caleb said this was all he knew. He promised he would try to track down more information if he could. Thankfully, his contact seemed satisfied. He then pulled a piece of pottery off the shelf and walked to the front of the store with Caleb. He paid for the pottery, thanked Caleb for his service, and left the shop.

Caleb was surprised at how easy it was. The interaction was simple, had drawn no attention, and had not required him to betray anyone close to him. His contact had pressed a bit, but not excessively, and Caleb felt confident that the contact believed his claim that he had told him all he knew. If this was all his new role as an informant asked of him, he was pleased to do it. The reward was indeed well worth it, and the fact that his efforts were ultimately serving the goal of the peace of the city gave him pride in what he had done. Perhaps God had indeed answered his sister’s prayers and shown favor on their house.

Four days after he had passed on information to his contact, Caleb was still planning his next move. Would his cousin have another meeting soon? He was due for another visit, and Caleb could then inquire about how he might become more involved in the movement.

A sharp knock at the shop’s back door interrupted Caleb’s thoughts. He opened it and was surprised to see his cousin staring up at him from the alleyway. Judah’s eyes looked wild and full of panic!

Before Caleb could speak, Judah pushed him aside and shut the door behind him. He then closed the door to the front of the shop. “What is going on, Cousin?” Caleb asked. “Why are you so upset?” Judah was pacing back and forth, his hands grabbing his long curly hair.

“They have arrested Joseph and Simeon, and . . .” For a moment Judah lost his words, his face heartbroken. Finally he uttered the painful words, “and Samuel too.” With these words a guttural sob came from his cousin as he fell to his knees.

Caleb placed a hand on his shoulder. “Calm down; it will be all right. When did this happen?”

In anger, Judah slapped Caleb’s hand away, “All right? It will be all right? How could it be all right? They have arrested them for killing Roman soldiers, Caleb! They will be crucified for this!”

Caleb stepped back, holding up his hands. “I am sorry, Cousin! You are right; this is a horrible thing. But what do you mean they were arrested for killing Roman soldiers? What are you talking about?” Caleb knew he must not reveal what he had deduced at the dinner with Judah and his friends.

“Are you so dense, Caleb? It was us, those you ate dinner with last week. We ambushed and killed those Roman soldiers! I thought you guessed this already?”

Caleb tried to look bewildered. “No! I had not realized! I thought we were celebrating the successful work of others. You were involved in the attack? And Joseph and Samuel too?”

Judah looked back at him, tears still in his eyes. Regaining his composure, he said in a much calmer voice, “No, I am sorry, Cousin. Perhaps it was not that obvious. I had told them not to take credit for the ambush—I was not sure you would be ready for that. Now you know the truth.”

“This is shocking news to me, Judah!” Caleb lied. “What can I do to help?”

Judah looked down, shaking his head. “I don’t know. I just don’t know what to do. It is all my fault. And what of the others? Will they be arrested next? No doubt they will do what they can to pry the rest of our names out of those they have arrested.”

Caleb saw that Judah’s concern was entirely for his friends, though he too was surely in great danger.

“How did this happen, Cousin? How did they know?” Judah’s voice was filled with desperation.

Looking into his confused face, Caleb lied again: “I don’t know. Who would have known outside of those involved? Would any of your company betray you?”

Judah shook his head. “No one knew but those involved, and not one would have betrayed our cause—I trust them all with my life.” Then Judah asked, “You didn’t tell anyone of our dinner, did you? Or of what we discussed?”

Caleb shook his head firmly. “No, Cousin. As you asked, I told no one. But was I the only one at the dinner who was not a part of your company?” Caleb asked, already knowing the answer.

“No,” Judah said, “there were two others that were joining us for the first time, just like you.”

“Do you trust them?” asked Caleb. “Could they have betrayed you?”

A perplexed look came over Judah’s face. “Perhaps it is possible. But I can’t imagine it. And now that I think of it, what could they have said? No one claimed to be involved in killing the soldiers—no one could have left with anything more than suspicions. You didn’t even know! Would someone have reported on suspicion alone?”

“It is possible,” Caleb said, praying his efforts to redirect suspicion would work. “And no doubt Rome would arrest on that suspicion alone.”

Judah’s head sank. “How could I have been so careless? This is all my fault.”

“You don’t know the truth yet, Cousin,” Caleb replied. “Be careful not to jump to rash conclusions. Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Perhaps,” Judah said. “We must warn the others, and quickly. They must have time to either flee the city or hide. Could you warn Nathaniel and Jacob for me? Both should be at their father’s home.”

Caleb knew the danger in this request, but he could not deny it. “Yes, Cousin, I will warn them. But you must think of yourself as well. Do not return home. Warn the others and hide yourself.”

Judah embraced him. “Thank you. I knew I could count on you.” The words stabbed Caleb’s heart like a dagger as he watched the cousin he had betrayed depart into the alleyway behind the shop.

Caleb stood dumbfounded in the doorway. The happiness, confidence, and renewed faith he had been feeling moments ago had vanished, replaced by a sickening feeling of dread, guilt, and treachery. He didn’t know how, but he knew it was his report that had resulted in the arrests.

How could I have been so foolish? How could I have thought I could filter information to protect my kin and friends? He didn’t know what other information the authorities already possessed or how they might combine that information with his to deduce the identities of the conspirators. He had played a dangerous game and lost.

But as he was contemplating these questions, competing thoughts arose in his mind. He was not to blame for these arrests. He was not the one who attacked Roman soldiers. He did not engage in violent resistance that was bound to have violent consequences. These men had made their choice, and he had only passed on the basic origins of their plan. How could he be held responsible for what was to happen next?

With these thoughts he tried to push down his raging guilt, but he was not sure it was working. After a few moments, he told his sister he had to run a quick errand and headed to the home of Nathaniel and Jacob. Warning them was the least he could do.

PILATE

Pilate was already in a bad mood as he sat down to read his most recent correspondence. He had just come from the hippodrome in Caesarea, where he had failed miserably with his bets for the day. He was particularly angry because he had received tips on two races—one a two-horse chariot race and another the day’s final four-horse race. Because he had done so poorly on the previous races, he had doubled down on the final race, only to see his chariot blow a late lead when one of its wheels came off. Although losing the money was painful, losing it to his arrogant friend Jason made it even worse. He wouldn’t hear the end of it until next week’s races.

He first read a report from one of his informants who was following the Galilean prophet, Jesus. Jesus had indeed headed south and was taking the eastern route, along the Jordan River. He had left Capernaum three days before and had made his way to the villages near the city of Pella, where this correspondence had been sent from. Pilate calculated that he was covering approximately ten miles a day. At that rate, he would cover the remaining distance in about four days, putting him near Jerusalem about a week and half before Passover. But if he decided to stay in certain cities longer than one night, his arrival would be delayed.

If Pilate was going to arrest this prophet, he was going to have to act quickly. The best plan would be to send soldiers to Jericho and have Jesus arrested there. It would be his last chance to arrest him outside Jerusalem, as most travelers would cover the distance between the two cities in one day.

“Lucien!” Pilate called for his chief aide, who appeared from around the corner and dutifully replied, “Yes, my lord, how can I be of assistance?”

“I would like you to send for Commander Cornelius,” said Pilate. “I have an assignment I must discuss with him.” Cornelius was the centurion responsible for the single cohort of soldiers stationed in Caesarea.

“Of course, my lord.”

In less than twenty minutes, he had returned with Cornelius. Cornelius was thirty-five, only a few years younger than Pilate. He was an accomplished soldier and a well-respected commander. During his time in Judea, he had become quite enamored with the god of the Jews and had recently spoken to Pilate of his growing devotion. Pilate found this strange, but respected Cornelius enough to not interject his own opinion on the matter. Since Pilate’s appointment to the region, he had established a good working relationship with Cornelius, and perhaps even a friendship. They dined together regularly and would often discuss both the political and military climate of the region.

“My lord, you called for me?” said Cornelius.

“Yes, Cornelius. There is an assignment I need to discuss with you. Not long ago, we spoke of the Galilean prophet, Jesus, and the potential threat he posed to the region.”

“Yes, I know of the man,” Cornelius replied. “At the time, you were watching him and had sent a request to Herod to look into the matter. Has the situation changed?”

“I am afraid it has,” Pilate said gravely. “As you might have guessed, Herod gave lip service to my request but did nothing—the coward. Now this prophet has left Galilee and is headed south. All indications are that he intends to visit Jerusalem for Passover. If he indeed has revolutionary ambitions, his presence in Jerusalem could be disastrous. Arresting him in the city during Passover might create as much trouble as he might cause on his own. Thus, he should never make it to Jerusalem. I want you to send soldiers to Jericho to intercept and arrest him there.”

Cornelius hesitated for a moment, then replied, “Such arrangements can be made. A small cavalry unit could travel to Jericho within a day.”

The centurion’s hesitation was not lost on Pilate. “Why are you uncertain of my plan, Cornelius? Please speak freely. I count you a friend and have always respected your insights.”

“My lord,” Cornelius said cautiously, uncertain whether to trust the permission Pilate had granted. “You said if he has revolutionary ambitions his presence in Jerusalem would be disastrous. But how certain are you that he has such ambitions? From the reports I have heard, he has not endorsed violence, nor has he publicly proclaimed himself a messiah of any sort.”

Pilate paused thoughtfully. “Yes, that is correct, Cornelius, but it is quite clear that he proclaims a new and coming kingdom of god to this region, and the people love him and are enraptured by this teaching. Such talk of a new kingdom is inherently subversive, as it implies the fall of our beloved Roman Empire. We cannot be ignorant of this. And while no talk of violence has made its way into his public teaching, he could no doubt rally these desperate people in revolt at a moment’s notice. The threat is real, and we must not ignore it. I was reluctant to arrest the prophet John, and that reluctance was almost costly. I promised myself not to make the same mistake twice.”

Cornelius nodded, paused a moment as if composing his thoughts, and said, “These are valid concerns, my lord. But if we arrest a popular prophet mere days before Passover, do we not ourselves risk retaliation? You are set to leave for Jerusalem in a matter of days. How will the city receive you with the shadow of this prophet’s arrest hanging over you? It would raise the tension in the city even higher, making the situation extremely dangerous. This is a very difficult decision, my lord—one I do not envy having to make. Both courses of action come with risk, and I will faithfully execute the duty you give me. Of this you can be sure.”

“I have no doubts about that, Cornelius, and I appreciate your counsel,” said Pilate. “I will need to think on these things. For now, prepare for the mission. I leave the details to you. You will hear from me on this matter within the day.”

“Consider it done, my lord.” Cornelius quickly left the room to make the necessary preparations.

Pilate turned to his aid, Lucien. Lucien was fifty-five years of age, a true Roman, born in the great city itself and deeply committed to it and the empire it had built. “What is your opinion in this matter, Lucien?” Pilate already knew well what he would say but wanted to hear him say it anyway.

“Permission to speak freely, my lord?” Lucien replied.

“Of course, Lucien, speak your mind.”

Lucien straightened himself. A strong, defiant look appeared on his face. “Rome is the greatest empire this world has ever known, my lord. It has brought peace and prosperity to the entire world, even to this ungrateful region of Judea. Any threat of sedition, any attempt to subvert this great work of our people, no matter how great or small, ought to be utterly destroyed. If this man speaks of a new kingdom, then he is clearly not a friend of the current one—and if not a friend, then an enemy. In my estimation, you cannot put him on a cross fast enough, along with any who follow him. Yes, I know this might disrupt the peace of Jerusalem and perhaps the entire region. The people might riot and revolt. But what of it? Why should we fear this result? Such actions are only the manifestation of the truth in their hearts—the hate and ungratefulness they harbor within. Let it be revealed openly to the world, and then let the legions of Rome come and crucify them all! Let their city and their temple burn! Why should we step cautiously around them, always concerned about offending them? We are Rome and they are not! I say arrest this Jesus and let the chips fall where they may.” It was clear that the freedom to voice these thoughts brought Lucien deep satisfaction.

And Pilate admired the speech, particularly its passion. Lucien’s words resonated with many of Pilate’s own feelings and justified his own plan of action, which was why Pilate asked to hear from Lucien; a little self-indulgence is good for the soul every now and then. This was the response of a true Roman, the same that Pilate would have received from many patriots back in Italy.

But unfortunately, its sentiment did not reflect the will of the imperial family. They desired peace and stability in the region. While Lucien might have been right about Rome winning any war against Jewish revolutionaries, it would come at a high cost. War was expensive, and war in one part of the empire meant vulnerability in another. And what if a rebel state of Judea allied with the Parthians? Such an alliance would prove troublesome indeed.

For all these reasons, Pilate could not fully embrace his aid’s advice. “I share many of these sentiments, Lucien, and appreciate your honesty. It did my soul good to hear the deep convictions of a Roman patriot. And that is what you are.” He could see the pride rise in his aid’s eyes. “Unfortunately, the cause of peace is a priority for our great imperial family. I am afraid we must follow a different course of action.”

“Indeed, my lord,” replied Lucien, nodding firmly. With that, he took his leave.

The next piece of correspondence on Pilate’s desk was from Caiaphas. Perhaps it would prove useful in making his decision. He read the letter carefully and was once again struck by what an excellent politician this high priest was. Two objectives emerged from the letter, the first more subtle than the second. Caiaphas implied that Pilate’s idea of bringing three hundred additional soldiers to Jerusalem might be misguided. Would the presence of these soldiers ensure greater peace given the tension their entrance and presence would create? Caiaphas claimed to be unsure, though it was clear to Pilate he was quite sure. But Pilate was quite sure as well—the additional show of force was necessary and nonnegotiable. Any deterrent to violent resistance was necessary, and the additional soldiers would accompany him to Jerusalem. Case closed.

On the second objective, Caiaphas was far more direct. He argued strongly, though respectfully, that arresting this prophet would be a mistake that would cast a dark and dangerous shadow over the coming Passover celebration. He shared many of the concerns already expressed by Cornelius, but perhaps his strongest argument was that the best possible outcome would be Jesus coming to Jerusalem as a peaceful prophet seeking to celebrate this great festival. They could not yet rule out this outcome, and as it was the best opportunity for peace, they should take no action against Jesus until it became clear he was a threat. The greatest mistake would be creating a threat to peace where no threat exists. If Jesus did turn out to be a revolutionary, arresting him in Jerusalem might prove more challenging, but the risk of violent retaliation was not that much greater than it would be if they arrested him prior to his arrival.

Pilate found all these arguments compelling, save the last one. He did not believe the danger of arresting Jesus prior to his arrival in the city was about the same as that of arresting him in the city. The latter brought far greater danger. At Passover the city would be a tinderbox, only needing a spark to set it ablaze. Arresting Jesus in the city could be just such a spark. While arresting him prior to his arrival might bring anger, Pilate did not believe it carried with it the danger of arresting him in Jerusalem.

But Pilate kept coming back to Caiaphas’s claim that the greatest mistake would be creating a threat to peace where no threat exists. Pilate had created such a threat in the past and vowed never to do it again. It was Caiaphas who had helped him see clearly then. Would he not listen to the wisdom of this priest again? Just recently, Caiaphas had advised a light touch in the investigation of the death of five Roman soldiers. In the end, he had been right. They had made arrests, with no apparent threat to peace.

This tipped the scales. Pilate would not prevent Jesus from coming to Jerusalem. He drafted a note to Cornelius telling him not to send soldiers to Jericho.

This priest had better be right, he thought.