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

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Oct 25, 1910

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 37, No. 42.

Shiloh: the Man of Sorrows

By Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle

Chapter XXXIV. Healing of the Impotent Man

In a secret chamber in the palace of Joseph Caiaphas a number of the rulers and dignitaries of the chosen nation are assembled.

The aged man with the flowing locks white as the snows of Lebanon, wearing the rich robes of the high priest, we recognize at once as Annas. His powerful form, tho slightly stooping, has lost none of its dignity. Age has not yet dimmed his eye, black and piercing as an eagle's. His manner is haughty and insolent, and his voice harsh and dictatorial.

Close at his right hand sits Caiaphas, who shares the dignities of office with him. The imperious manners of the younger man are no whit less conspicuous than those of the elder. His florid countenance is now red with anger. The firm, square jaws and massive neck bespeak an unyielding firmness and tenacity amounting to stubbornness. His manner is self-assertive; his voice is loud; his gesticulations are furious.

Near by sits Jonathan the priest, whom we first met at the baptism at Bethabara, one of the witnesses who heard the voice of the Eternal, and saw the descent of the heavenly dove. We also met this Jonathan at the wedding of Cana of Galilee, where we became better acquainted with him. The passing months, tho filled with signs and wonders which have followed the foot-steps of the divine One, have made no impression upon the heart of Jonathan the priest. Just at the left are two familiar faces; Jazer the scribe, with papyrus spread out before him and pen in hand, anxious to receive the honor due one of his important rank, has taken his position as near Caiaphas as possible. The other face which is familiar to us, tho we have not seen him in some time, is that of Shaphan the rabbi, who, having come up from Nazareth to Jerusalem to attend the feast, has been invited to be present at this private session in the palace of Caiaphas.

There is one more whom we notice; but his position is not a conspicuous one, and he takes no leading part in the conversation. There is an expression of painful anxiety upon his kindly countenance. His forehead is broad and noble and deeply furrowed. Altho he says but little, his very presence in some subtle manner seems to impose a kind of restraint upon the others.

Who is this man? — We have not long to wonder, for just now a deep whisper reaches our ears. Shaphan the rabbi is whispering to Caiaphas, while he glances stealthily in the direction of this man:

"I understood that the man Nicodemus was not to be present at this council, O Caiaphas. Why didst thou invite him? for of a truth I believe he favoreth this Galilean Deceiver."

The face of Caiaphas assumes an expression of deep annoyance. "Thou sayest the truth, Shaphan; but the man hath influence and riches and vast learning. I could do no other than invite him to my house, being a member of the Sanhedrin. Tho, as thou sayest, he favoreth this Nazarene in his heart, yet he is in truth a timid man, who feareth ridicule and loss of influence among the leaders of the nation,—and indeed I thought it but the part of discretion to invite him."

Shaphan shrugs his shoulders, but makes no further reply. Besides these persons, there are a dozen more,—priests, teachers, rabbis, and rulers. Some are Sadducees, as are Annas and Caiaphas; some are Pharisees. But altho commonly there is bitter strife between these two factions, to-night Pharisee and Sadducee unite in complete harmony upon one single issue.

Something of special importance has called these dignitaries together;—something of common interest to all. We seat ourselves in a secluded alcove, and listen, without fear of interruption.

Caiaphas calls the attention of the council, and begins an exciting recitation:

"Men of Israel: I have seen a wretched beggar, Crispus by name, whose father was an heathen—seen him for many years, under the porches by the Pool of Bethesda. Of a truth the remembrance of the fellow sickeneth me,—sprawling upon his filthy mat. His body was trembling and festering and palsied. And now this Nazarene Pretender hath bidden him take up his bed and walk,—and that upon the Sabbath day. And now, what thinkest thou, O Shaphan? What shall be done unto this breaker of the law?"

"Did not Moses declare what should be done unto him who but kindled a fire upon the Sabbath day?" replies the rabbi pompously, glad of the honor accorded him by the high priest. "Let Him be stoned with stones till He die."

"But thou forgettest, O Shaphan," interrupts Jonathan glibly, "thou forgettest that this Jesus of Nazareth hath healed multitudes already; and verily every man whom He healeth is His friend, for even thou maketh this Deceiver friends among the people. Of a truth He hath broken the Sabbath day, and deserveth to die; but how shall we do when the matter cometh to the ears of Pontius Pilate? for what careth this Roman dog for the Sabbath day?"

"Ah, Israel! thou favored of Jehovah!" drones Shaphan, rolling his eyes upward and rocking his lean body to and fro. "How long shalt thou bow thy neck beneath the heel of the oppressor! When will come Shiloh, the mighty One, to reign in Jerusalem,—come with His armies to deliver us!"

"Why shouldest thou dream, O Shaphan?" returns Annas impatiently. "Verily were there no work to do for the honor of the rulers of thy people, then thou mightest dream in peace!"

"As the Lord liveth, O Annas, thou speakest truly!" exclaims another of the priests. "Unless we bestir ourselves to end the works of this Deceiver, the influence of the priests and rulers will not be worth a gerah!" And the speaker glances haughtily about him, while the tones of his voice bespeak the anger and hatred of his heart.

"Thy words are true," chime in half a dozen angry voices. "But what shall we do, O Annas, for verily thine head is white, and thou art wiser than we?"

"We must do nothing rashly, O men of Israel. And if indeed ye follow the counsel of men of wisdom, then shall ye cause this Galilean to condemn Himself by the words of His own mouth."

"Surely all the leaders of Israel have suffered reproach at the hand of this babbling Sorcerer," declared Caiaphas. "But now let us hear the words of Annas, for we have prepared questions of wisdom and great import, whereby this Impostor shall be overthrown. Speak thou, O high priest of the chosen nation!"

"Behold, I am a Sadducee!" again begins Annas, stroking his white beard and glancing uneasily toward Nicodemus. "That there be some Pharisees before me shall not hinder the making known of my plans, which I am persuaded will bring this Nazarene to confusion.

"Now let two men of the Sadducees say unto Him: Thus saith Moses in the law: If a man's brother die having a wife, and he die without children, this man shall take his brother's wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. Now there were seven brothers; the first took to himself a wife, but died childless. Then the second, and even unto the seventh also took her, and each died childless. If therefore there be a resurrection from the dead, which of these men shall be the husband of the woman in the day of the resurrection?" And Annas again strokes his flowing beard wisely and complacently.

"Thou art wise, O Annas!" exclaims a tall, dark-browed man, having a bandage of linen over his brow,—a lawyer whom they call Abner; "verily

thou art wise. We will appoint two men. But," he continues, rising to his feet, "I am a lawyer, as ye very well know, and it is my counsel that ye hale this Nazarene before Pontius Pilate. Go, ask ye Him if it be lawful to give tribute to Cæsar. If He shall say unto you, It is lawful, then shall ye say, Of a truth Thou art not the Messiah, for verily He shall free Israel from the yoke of the oppressor. But if He shall say unto you, It is not lawful, then shall ye deliver Him unto Pilate; for indeed this governor maketh quick end of those who be raisers of sedition, upon the cross of Golgotha!"

A babel of voices at once arises commending the wisdom of Abner the lawyer. "Thou shalt go, Abner, and verily thou shalt prevail against Him; for thou art wise," exclaims Caiaphas, forgetting for a moment his own ambition to be called the wise man of the council, so lost is he in admiration of so clever a stratagem; "thou art wise, except that I am told that the wife of Pilate the governor, even Claudia Procula, favoreth the Impostor, but verily thou shalt entrap Him!"

"I should be minded, O Caiaphas, to do even thus," replies the lawyer, as he raises his hand to adjust the bandage, "but I am yet under the care of the physicians. Ye see mine infirmity, for of a truth this bandage covereth an eye from which the sight hath well-nigh gone. Yet hath it been many days since, as I was passing alone through the country of the Gadarenes near to the tombs, there met me one Varro, a madman, a gigantic fellow who hath been possessed of the devil for many years, and who, as say the people, was at one time a centurion of Herod the Great. They tell me he was a man of blood from his youth, and verily Beelzebub hath him under control, and he loveth blood still; neither can he be bound with chains, for he is gigantic in size, and of tremendous strength," continues the lawyer, shrugging his shoulders and again adjusting the bandage. "Indeed I was glad to escape him, even with the loss of my right eye. But," and Abner smiled knowingly, "if this Nazarene but meet Varro the madman of the tombs of Gadara, there would soon be an end of the controversy."

"Where is now the Nazarene?" questions one of the scribes of Jonathan.

"Bar-jona the fisherman, His disciple, and one Matthias, son of Sylvanus, passing near the temple this morning, assured me that their Master was even journeying toward Jerusalem."

"I bethink me, O Caiaphas," interrupts Jazer, "knowest thou the man Judas the scribe, of Kerioth, one of this Fellow's disciples? for of a truth this man loveth money, and he carrieth the purse for the others. Verily he would sell his soul to Beelzebub for a piece of silver. Nor is he in very truth devoted to his Master like to the others—his fellows. I am persuaded that, if the snare of Abner the lawyer faileth, this man, Judas of Kerioth, will not hesitate to betray his Master unto us for a few pieces of silver."

"Thou sayest well, Jazer," replies Caiaphas. "I have seen this man,—tall and dark, with uneasy, restless manner, and shifting glance which is never quiet."

"The same," replies the scribe. "You can not catch the fellow's eye, tho he seemeth to be bold enough. Indeed, thou rememberest the day in Bethsaida, when the Nazarene Sorcerer produced the appearance of bread and fishes for a multitude of five thousand men, besides women and children. Verily, this Judas of Kerioth was active that day, working furiously to supply the multitude with food which came from the hands of his Master; but I saw him afterward estimating the number of shekels which would have come to them had they but sold the food to the people;" and Jazer laughs sneeringly. "This man of Kerioth," he continues, "is he who on that very day headed the turbulent throng

who sought to crown the Nazarene at Jerusalem. 'What!' he said to me, 'seest thou not that my Master can create food for an army to go up against the Romans?' And all this, because the Sorcerer had produced the appearance of bread and fishes!' and the scribe throws up his hands in well-feigned disgust.

(To be continued)