Shiloh: the Man of Sorrows by Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Oct 4, 1910

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 37, No. 39.

Shiloh: the Man of Sorrows

By Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle

Chapter XXXI.—The Beginning of the Traitor

"Thou hast said," replied the other; "and of a truth I remember, even now, the words of the Miracle-Worker as He answered me: 'The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man hath not where to lay His head!'—a strange response, indeed," continued the stranger, with a light laugh, which struck Matthias unpleasantly, "a strange response from One who hath power even over devils and evil spirits," he continued almost sneeringly, "One whom even the wind and the sea obey, and to whose command the ear of Death pays heed!"

"But yet," objected Matthias, gravely turning his kindly brown eyes upon his companion, "yet men say the Man is poor, and indeed, His clothing is not such as is worn by kings."

"True; but thou art still a young man, and surely thou art short-sighted. Thinkest thou that such a man as I, a scribe of the school of Gamaliel, would be at all discouraged at this reply of the Nazarene, and return to mine house? Why should a few ignorant Galilean fishermen receive all the positions of honor in the new kingdom? Verily, thy brother-in-law, Bar-jona, seemeth as well born as any of them who follow the Master,—he and Andrew, his brother,—and—I mean no offense, young man, but thou understandest as well as I that the fishermen on the banks of the Galilee are not learned men. John, the son of one Zebedee, hath already taken to himself the honor of the place nearest the Master, and, professing greater love for Him than have the others, leaneth upon His breast! Verily his foolish conduct seemeth to me to be insincere and unmanly—and his actions are only equaled by those of his brother James. The man Philip, also of Bethsaida of Galilee, tho it may hap not a fisherman, hath in his youth, I am told, driven a chariot for some nobleman. Bartholomew seemeth at times to be as sincere and pious as any of our company, but even he appeareth not to appreciate my ability and especial talent. Thomas is too filled with unbelief and unmanly fears to be of much account in our company, and I—"

"Why then did the Master choose him?" questioned Matthias timidly, wondering and uneasy at the discourse of his companion.

"I know not, young man. I have often questioned the same myself. James and Thaddeus do no better than the others; while Simon, being a Zealot,—well, young man, thou mayest readily imagine that he is entirely too aggressive to be agreeable to a man of my fine temperament. But Matthew, the publican! I have often expressed surprise to my friends, that he should have been chosen! A publican! Canst thou think of it, young man? A tax-gatherer for the Romans, the oppressors of Israel!"

"The Nazarene doeth many miracles," continued the man from Kerioth, "but surely He lacketh sound judgment and wisdom, in that He chose Matthew, the publican. And yet, that which the Master lacketh, I strive in every manner possible to make up. But of a truth the Nazarene showed some trace of wisdom in that He hath appointed me, Judas Iscariot, a scribe, and a man of wisdom and discernment, to bear the purse, thus to overbalance in some degree the folly of the others!" and the speaker pressed his hand to his heart in gratified vanity, while he jingled the leathern bag of coins which hung at his side, ostentatiously.

"What thinkest thou, Iscariot?" questioned Matthias; "what thinkest thou truly? Will this mighty Teacher set up His kingdom in Jerusalem?"

For a moment, the man did not reply, but continued jingling the bag of coins absently, until the other repeated his question.

"Will He?—Without doubt, without doubt, and that very soon; and ha!" with a sudden burst of enthusiasm, "He can scarcely offer me anything less than the position of treasurer in chief over the whole kingdom. This, young man, He is bound in honor to do by me,—in honor, I say; for I am only telling the truth when I declare to thee that many a time I have saved our company from actual want, by my sagacity."

"Ah, brother," began Matthias, when his companion paused for a moment, "we would indeed rejoice to see the day when the Roman banners no longer flaunt themselves over the holy city of Zion; but from that which I have heard the Master declare,—and I have been already somewhat in His company,—I can not remember that He has ever so much as promised that He will set up His kingdom either in Jerusalem or in any of the other cities of Israel."

"If the Nazarene Miracle-Worker be indeed the Shiloh of Jacob, and if He set not up His kingdom in Jerusalem," interrupted Iscariot impatiently, while a dark frown gathered upon his brow, "how then can Zion, the holy city, the beautiful for situation, be called the joy of the whole earth, so saith the prophet?"

"I have heard the Man speak strange things," replied Matthias, ignoring the words of his companion, "some things which to me seem hard to be understood,—things which favor not the idea of the glory and swift dominion of Israel. Neither my father Sylvanus nor my brother-in-law Bar-jona are able to explain the meaning of some of His strange words,—and I, at least, have feared to ask Him,—feared lest my dream of Israel's glory be shattered by His answer;" and Matthias sighed deeply.

"I wonder not that Bar-jona be not able to understand,—an ignorant Galilean,—and yet (I mean no offense to thee, young man) but thy brother-in-law aspireth to greater honors than I, in the coming kingdom; aye, this impulsive fellow babbleth like unto a foolish child. Verily I am weary with him! But I tell thee, Matthias, son of Sylvanus, the time is fulfilled, and the Messiah of the prophets must be already come. And if this be true, the time when Israel shall smite the Gentiles, and ride over them victoriously, is at hand. Then shall I, Judas of Kerioth, rise to honor and might and riches—riches! Ah, the gleam of the yellow gold is beautiful, young man, beautiful!" and again the scribe of Kerioth shook the leathern bag eagerly.

For a few moments the two walked rapidly on in silence, save for their heavy footfalls along the rocky road, and the occasional tinkling of the coin. It was Matthias who resumed the conversation:

"Thinkest thou that it is well to carry this bag of coins thus publicly? Fearest thou not—"

"I have with me but a few paltry pieces of silver," interrupted the other, with a touch of scorn in his tones. "This purse belonged unto me, but verily, the bag which I carry for the company would be heavier, did not the heart of the Master go out toward the poor,—the poor,—bah! Let men toil with their hands, if they can not work with their brains. Verily, now, Matthias, if there were none more prudent than this Miracle-Worker, there would scarcely be a single gerah left in the bag for our needs. Philip of Bethsaida hath been chosen to fill my place and to carry the bag while I be for a short time absent. It would have been better to appoint the publican Matthew, but neither the one nor the other understandeth the value of a gerah."

"But of a truth, tell me, when thinkest thou that the kingdom of the Master will be set up?"

"That I can not tell, young man; but were it not for the strange conduct of the Master,—thou mayest term it modesty if thou wilt,—were it not for this, the kingdom might indeed be set up to-morrow, and the Nazarene crowned as king, for the common people would at once rally to His standard, and an army be raised which might well defy the power of Antipas or even of Cæsar himself. I have often thought of attempting to force the Man to do this, but the time seemeth not yet fully ripe. But it is possible for Him to resist the wishes of His fellows too long," and the voice of the man of Kerioth sank to a deep whisper. "Young man, Israel groaneth for deliverance, and the time is fulfilled,—the time spoken of by the prophets, when Shiloh must appear for her salvation,—and the words of the prophets must be fulfilled; and if this Man refuseth to do this work, then will deliverance arise from another quarter. Hast thou not heard," he continued suavely, as Matthias gave him a look of astonishment, "hath no man told thee of the wonderful works of one Barabbas—"

"Barabbas, the robber! Surely thou dost not speak of Barabbas the robber!"

"The outlaw, as men call him," corrected Iscariot, "the outlaw as men call him,—but opinions differ, young man. This man doeth great miracles, as I have heard; but this I know: he desireth the restoration of Israel, and he worketh to this end. Men say he is the son of a rabbi. And if this man lieth in wait for none but the Romans,—the sons of the oppressors of Israel,—and taketh their gold, he but taketh that which rightfully belonged to our nation; and doth it become an Israelite to name him a robber? Was Moses, the servant of God, a robber when he allowed the people to despoil the Egyptians on the night of the first Passover?"

Matthias was silent with astonishment; and a sense of uneasiness, and distrust toward the man beside him, filled his soul. Was this man speaking lightly of the crime of one of the boldest outlaws in all Judea? While he thus mused, his companion continued:

"Would that I had this day, in mine own hands, all the gold and the silver of every Roman dog in all Judea and Benjamin,—yes, and of the land of Zebulon, and the fair city of Tiberias, which Herod Antipas, the crafty Edomite, hath builded for himself. Aye, more; my soul burneth for the gold of Cæsar,—the prince of oppressors—the emperor of Rome. Now, this Barabbas," he continued glibly, "hath already many followers, and he doeth miracles also; and, young man, knowest thou that he also calleth HIMSELF THE MESSIAH?"

"Impossible!" gasped Matthias. "The Lord worketh not the redemption of Israel through robbers and assassins!"

"Believe as thou wilt, young man; but this Barabbas showeth himself more wise than—yes—than Jesus of Nazareth, inasmuch as he hath placed himself at the head of an armed band, and feareth not to despoil the oppressors of Israel. Yet, verily, I am a follower of the Nazarene, my Master, for indeed He doeth many miracles; but unless He prove His claim to the Messiahship by setting up His kingdom very soon in Jerusalem, who shall—" and the speaker continued stammeringly—"why should we forget, young man, that this Barabbas is the lawful son of a rabbi of Israel? Yet, if my Master but give to me the position which my soul longeth after,—that of chief treasurer of the new kingdom, so that my hands may handle the yellow gold—ah! the golden treasure of kings—then will I be content. But see; the sun sinketh, and, should, we be at the city's gate."

"It is well!" exclaimed Matthias, with a sigh of relief, for he was glad to escape further companionship with this man. "It is well; now will I call the disciples of the Baptizer, and we will return and give him burial, and seek the Master."

"And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus."

(To be continued)