The Council was in uproar and unable to reach agreement, until one man stood up and commanded attention. His name was Gamaliel. In today’s world he would have carried the title of Doctor of Theology and chief lecturer in the University of Jerusalem. Now, he spoke with authority, “Clear the court.”
When the prisoners had been removed, he continued, “Right through history there have been movements like this. It is obvious that we do not yet know what is happening here or, indeed, if this movement has its origin from an earthly base or a heavenly one. In the past such movements have died a speedy and natural death by just being left alone. That is what will happen here, if its origin is in man’s trickery. However, if by some chance, the power behind it is that of The Great One there is nothing we can do to stop it. It will be us who are destroyed. I say wait.”
The prisoners were brought back to the courtroom and judgement was passed. They were given a warning not to teach the claim that Saviour had risen from the dead and been appointed by The Great One as the promised king. To re-enforce the warning, they were sentenced to a flogging, then released.
The court was still in considerable confusion, when above the uproar Peter’s voice was heard, loudly and clearly, saying, “On behalf of the prisoners, I want our position to be clearly understood. We do not dispute the ruling of this court. We totally respect it as the legitimate court of law in the city of Jerusalem. However, there is one question, which both we and the court must consider in the coming days. Is it legally more correct to obey the ruling of the court, or that of The Great One?”
CHAPTER NINETEEN- PETER TELLS HIS STORY
Myrna was presiding over her household in her own competent way, supervising the preparation of the midday meal – a very large meal, when Bailey said, “Myrna, tell me something. How do you know how much food to prepare? There is such a lot here and nobody to eat it, yet you always seem to get it right.”
Myrna paused, as if surprised, “I don’t know. I’ve never thought about it. It is just something I do. You are right though. It does seem to work out. I know I don’t experience The Presence like Peter does but I do know that he is here with us. I think he tells me how many are coming, without my even thinking about it.
I think I like it best that way. Has he been saying anything to you lately. Bailey, you look kind of excited and subdued at the same time as if something special has happened?”
Bailey nodded, “I had a visit from an angel last night.”
“Ha!” Myrna chuckled, “Was he, by any chance a boy about your own age, very good looking and conjured up by your imagination? I had visits from lots of angels like that when I was your age.”
Bailey nearly shrivelled up with embarrassment. “No. It wasn’t that kind. I didn’t imagine it. Would you think me really mad if I said that Duncan also had a visit?”
“Ha!” said Myrna again. “No, I would say that Saviour had something to say, especially to you. And no, it doesn’t surprise me that he would visit Duncan. Saviour is King over the whole of creation, not just over you and me. What does surprise me is that you would recognise it. You had better tell me about it.”
Myrna listened with great interest as Bailey told her about Alias and their night’s adventure. By the time Bailey had finished Myrna had an image of Alias in her mind that was as clear as if he was standing in the room. She also had a fresh image of Bailey. Here, indeed was a warrior of the king. She felt proud to know her and a little fearful of where it could all lead.
The house was already beginning to fill. It was as if there was some secret signal that called the followers of The Way to Myrna’s house for the midday meal. Bailey thought that this must be the case, but it still seemed like magic to her. Among those who came were Ruth and a young man named Stephanos who were prominent members of The Way. Nothing had been said, but their growing relationship was constantly being betrayed by looks and accidental touches. Myrna was already viewing him as Ruth’s young man, a situation she thoroughly approved of.
Stephanos was a young Greek man, just recently appointed to a position of importance in the community of The Way. He stood out as one who was totally filled with The Presence and completely devoted to telling others about the resurrection and kingship of Saviour. Many new members had been added to The Way through him.
Myrna was excited, anticipating the arrival of Peter. Word had spread of his release and there was an atmosphere of expectancy in the room.
When Peter finally entered the room Myrna’s face fell. He was covered in blood from the flogging. Peter was quick to comfort her. "Don’t be concerned about me and please don’t blame the courts. They are only doing their duty as they see it. It is not them, or even the anger of those who stand against us that we are fighting. We are fighting against the Prince of Darkness who has been dethroned by Saviour. He is trying to bring the world back to darkness and chaos.
Be sure of one thing. What we achieve under the authority of Saviour will last for as long as this world continues and beyond. The anger and chaos and hurt that are being thrust against us will pass into oblivion, like the passing of a dream. Their reality is only for the moment, so join me in being excited. I see great things happening. All this must stir us on to greater achievement. The Presence is with us.”
Bailey was still puzzled about something. She said, “Uncle Peter, there are all sorts of strange stories going around. Did you really get out of prison somehow? Is that one of the great things you see happening?”
“Yes, Bailey, we did get out of prison and it is one of the things that tell me clearly that Saviour is still with us and in control. We must keep spreading the good news. What happened is hard to explain, not because it is complicated, but because it is unbelievable. We were together in a cell with no means of getting in or out except through one very secure door. I happened to be looking at that door when it happened.”
“The door opened all by itself,” Bailey guessed.
“No,” said Peter, “somebody came in. I saw it with these two eyes. The door didn’t open. He just emerged through the door and kept walking as if he didn’t even know it was there. I thought I was dreaming until the others turned and saw him standing there; an ordinary man.”
Myrna was back in her ‘Ha!’ mood. She said, “Ha! And did this ordinary person have a kind of white badge thing over his heart?”
Peter looked at her in amazement. “How did you know that?”
“Bailey saw him earlier,” she said. “He instructed her to take Duncan to the prison gates and create a distraction.”
Peter looked at Bailey in surprise and said, “That was you? There was a girl and a dog near the gates. There seemed to be some kind of trouble and the guards were completely occupied, watching what was happening and didn’t notice a thing when we walked straight out through the main gate.”
Duncan grinned.
“Did you walk out through the closed doors like Alias could?” asked Bailey. “No,” said Peter. “He simply pushed the doors open and then shut them behind him. But who, may I ask is Alias?” Bailey had to explain again how she came to know Alias, the messenger of The Great One who came from the heavenly place on errands at the command of The Great One.
CHAPTER TWENTY- AN ENEMY MAKES TROUBLE
The period following this was an exciting time for the people of The Way. Under the temporary protection of the court they continued to grow rapidly in number and numerous healings and other signs demonstrating the authority of Saviour were taking place amongst the followers of The Way. The Presence continued to be with them in great power.
Meanwhile, at the University, in the Campus of the Free, a meeting was taking place. The meeting had been convened by the head of the Student’s Association, a man named Saul, to discuss ‘Matters of concern to the purity of the Jewish faith.’
Saul was a man who was used to defending his faith and his God, The Great One, maker of the heavens and the ea
rth. He had grown up in the prestigious city of Tarsus and had, of necessity, learned to defend his beliefs against the religions and philosophies of that place. It had been a good training ground.
Saul had carried the prestige of that city with him into the Campus of the Free. He also carried a strong personal prestige. Being born of a longstanding, elite Jewish family he could claim what few of his colleagues could, full Roman citizenship as well as pure Jewish lineage.
He was not an imposing figure but when he spoke he commanded attention. He was speaking now, addressing the students’ meeting. The subject was the advance of the sect known as The Way. “I have great respect for our Head of Staff, Gamaliel. He has contributed more to my faith and insight than any other person, much more than I can begin to tell you. However, there is one matter in which I cannot agree with him. I cannot agree that the people of The Way should be allowed to continue to teach misleading heresy as they are. They must be stopped. They cannot be allowed to bring dishonour to our faith, or to turn people away from the true expression of honour and worship of The Great One.”
One of the students interjected, “There is no disagreement among us on that but what can be done? The leaders of The Way have already been tried before the court and there was found to be insufficient evidence to bring a conviction.”
“Your point is a valid one,” Saul continued. “However there is a way. Consider what our ancestors did. You know what is written in The Ancient Book of Records as well as I do. Didn’t our revered ancestor, Jacob become known as the trickster because of the deceitful ways in which he achieved what was rightfully his?
I have no doubt that what I am proposing is the will of The Great One. The rules of the true ‘way’ are all written in The Book. We must follow Jacob’s example and use guile. Witnesses can be bought. Truth can be purchased. We must make a move before more damage is done.”
Saul’s words fell on fertile ground and a religious and political movement was born, having one aim, the destruction of The Way. They would be relentless in their pursuit of their goal until The Way ceased to exist.
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE- DISASTER
A matter of a few weeks later there was another meeting in progress. This was a joyous occasion. The house was full. The meal was finished and animated conversation was taking place. Stories were being told of new members being added to the followers of Saviour and of healings and miracles. It was a joyous time and a time when the power of The Presence was felt in its full force.
At first, they didn’t hear it above the hubbub of conversation. Then Myrna said, “Ruth, there is someone at the door. Will you let them in?”
Moments later, they heard a cry of anguish and Ruth stumbled back into the room. Myrna threw her arms around her. “Ruth love, what is wrong?” Between sobs, they made out the terrible truth, “Stephanos is dead.”
Gradually the story began to unfold. Stephanos had been arrested and brought before the court on charges of treason; of teaching and preaching beliefs which were destructive to true religious faith. The charges were backed up by statements from honourable witnesses. The court had no option but to accept their validity and bring a guilty verdict.
Even through this tragedy there was a touch of encouragement for the people of The Way. Saviour was building his kingdom. They heard how The Presence had accompanied Stephanos at his trial and execution, bringing undeniable evidence that Saviour was alive and establishing his kingdom. Some said that his face glowed like that of an angel at the trial and when he spoke it was as if that angel was speaking, such was the power of his words.
That something extraordinary had happened was obvious by the response of those who heard. In spite of the court’s intention to engender fear into those who followed The Way, there were many who aligned themselves with the Kingdom on that day. The followers of The Way were beginning to understand that something far greater than an earthly kingdom was being built, but the tone of the gathering at Myrna’s house had now changed. The aura of celebration quickly gave way to that of grief and loss.
After a brief time of being comforted, Ruth sought a place of solitude to mourn her loss. She was only now beginning to understand the full significance of the friendship which had been growing between her and Stephanos.
Bailey glanced over to the small, screened off section of the roof space which they used for sleeping. She smiled a little knowing smile when she saw Ruth sitting on the mattress, cuddling Bear. Of course she would go to Bear. He was always such a comfort in times of tears.
Bear, also, responded to the need that was placed on him. In spite of what he knew about the tiredness he was feeling, he roused himself. He would always be available to his friends in times of grief and distress.
He knew what was happening to him. That knowledge had been passed down in his family from generation to generation. He knew that he was beginning to slide into the long intergenerational hibernation that was common to all members of his species. Bailey was growing up fast. She seldom talked to him now, only giving him a brief hug now and then. He had difficulty making her understand bear talk at all now, except when she was distressed. He must allow his task of being a companion to her to be taken over by others, even if some of those others were boys.
Bear tightened his arms around Ruth ever so slightly and they murmured softly together. After a while, Ruth gave him a hard hug and said, “Bear, you are the best comfort anybody could ever have. I love you so much.” With this she released him and went back to join her friends. Bear went back to sleep.
The conversation was now sombre. They agreed that plans must be put in place to cover all contingencies. It seemed inevitable now that The Way would be declared an illegal religious organisation by the courts. If this happened, they would need to be ready for immediate flight to an area outside of the control of the Jerusalem courts.
Agreement was reached that every member who had a donkey or other animal that could be used as a beast of burden must have them available to be used by the whole group at a moment’s notice. The same applied to those who had any kind of cart or other conveyance that was suitable to carry luggage, the elderly, infirm and the very young.
Bailey was surprised to see Duncan hiding in the most obscure space he could find. She looked at him and knew what he was thinking. “Don’t be silly. You won’t need to carry things. You aren’t a beast of burden.”
The next few days told their own story. The courts had convened. A ruling had been made. The Way was now an illegal religious movement. A number of repressive laws had been passed:-
Any gathering of more than three members of the sect known as The Way is to be dispersed. Those present at such a gathering will be liable to arrest.
All teaching, or preaching, referring to Saviour as anything except a justly condemned criminal is an illegal act. Any persons involved will be subject to immediate arrest.
Any person performing a magic act and in any way attributing it to the power or authority of the condemned criminal known as Saviour will be subject to immediate arrest.
The maximum penalty to be imposed is death.
Action by the authorities was immediate. The prisons quickly filled and some followers were made an example of by being executed. Crowd support was stirred against The Way by the authorities, eager to gain political impetus.
CHAPTER TWENTY TWO- FLIGHT
The roads were full of refugees fleeing Jerusalem. Thousands were fleeing in every direction. Media speculation estimated around ten thousand adults, plus children.
Each of the surrounding countries had their own practical and political battles to fight. Decisions had to be made immediately as to what their attitude would be toward those who were fleeing to them for protection.
The flight was not altogether random. The pre-arranged plans were put into action. The group centred on the household of Myrna consisted of about three hundred people, divided into small travelling
parties of about thirty each. Each group had at least one donkey-drawn cart and several riding asses for the infirm. These small parties were designed to minimise the risk if they should be stopped by the authorities.
Bailey was finding all this hardship and chaos difficult to cope with. If this was a dream, she wanted to wake up. She wanted to go home and I don’t mean back to Jerusalem. I mean back to Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia, Twenty First Century. It was as if, for a moment, a door had opened and she knew where her real home was.
Her legs ached. Her feet were covered with blisters. She was tired, dirty, sore and screaming mad with the whole world, but she would not get on that cart! There were others who needed it more than she did. She looked at Duncan. He looked back. He was enjoying it. “Isn’t this great; new things to see; new things to smell; lots of other dogs? I am king of an ever-changing world.”
She glanced at Ruth. Ruth was carrying Bear who was too sleepy to do anything but be carried now. Bailey knew that she should probably have left Bear in Jerusalem but she could not part with him, neither could Ruth. Ruth was still lost in her own world of grief. She needed Bear and was glad he was with them.
It was the third night since leaving Myrna’s house. For Bailey this evening time was the best part of the day. Each night, they set up camp in the open, just off the road and out of sight of other travellers. She had a vague memory of another time when she used to camp like this with her family. It was a time to relax under the light of the stars and share stories, true and imaginary, before drifting off to sleep. Although there was danger all around there was no sense of fear in the camp. Someone was always on guard.