King of the Jews | Page 6

the Galilean has driven us out with a scourge. And
the tables of the money changers has he overturned, and released the
doves. We demand satisfaction."
Caiaphas: "That you should have satisfaction the law decrees. Your
losses will be made good in the meantime out of the temple treasury"
(joy among the traders). "But that the offender himself may be duly

punished it is necessary for us to have your help. What can we do so
long as he is not in our power?"
The Traders: "He goes daily to the temple; there he can easily be
arrested and carried off."
Caiaphas: "That will not do. You know that as he has a multitude of
excited followers such a course might lead to a dangerous uproar. The
thing must be done quietly."
The Traders: "That could be done best at night-time."
Caiaphas: "If you could find out where he retires at night he would
soon be without tumult in our hands. Then would you not only have the
delight of seeing him chastised, but also a considerable reward would
fall to your lot."
Nathanael: "And you would also have rendered good service to the law
of Moses if you assist in this."
Then all the traders cried out together: "You can depend upon us, we
will spare no trouble."
And all the priests and Pharisees congratulated themselves that the
business was going well. Dathan, conspicuous by his apparel, then
volunteered a statement. He said: "I know one of his followers from
whom I could easily gain some information if I could offer him a
sufficient reward."
Caiaphas at once authorized him, "If thou findest such a one make all
necessary promises in our name. Only don't loiter; we must attain our
end before the feast."
Annas enjoined the strictest silence, to which with one voice the traders
responded, "We swear it," and then Caiaphas proceeded to urge upon
them the need of creating a party on their side among the people. "If,
my good fellows, you really desire fully to glut your longing for
revenge, then take care and use every means to kindle in others the

same holy zeal which glows in you."
They answered that they had not waited for his prompting, but had
already brought several others over to their side. "We will not rest until
the whole populace is roused against him."
Annas and Caiaphas applauded their zeal. "You will thereby merit the
greatest gratitude from the council," said Annas, and Caiaphas chimed
in, "Openly will ye then be honored before all the people as you have
been today put to shame before them by this presumptuous man."
"Our life for the law of Moses and the holy Sanhedrin," then cried the
traders. "The God of Abraham guide you," said Caiaphas dismissing
them, and they left the hall crying aloud, "Long live Moses! long live
the high priests and the Sanhedrin! Even today may the role of the
Galilean be played out!"
Then Caiaphas addressed these parting words to the council: "As
though refreshed by sweet slumbers, I live once more. With such men
as these we can put everything through. Now we shall see who will
triumph,--he with his followers to whom he is always preaching
love,--a love which is to include publicans and sinners and even the
Gentiles also,--or we with this troop inspired by hate and revenge
which we are sending against him. There can be no doubt to which side
the victory will incline."
"The God of our fathers give us the victory!" said Annas; "joy in my
old age will renew my youth!"
Then said Caiaphas, "Let us now break up, looking forward with
confidence to the joy of victory. Praised be our fathers!"
And all the assembly with a deep, sonorous voice exclaimed, "Praised
be the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob!"
CHAPTER II.
JESUS' LAST JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM.

People of God behold; thy Savior is nigh to thee! He is come who was
promised thee long ago. Oh! hear him, follow his guidance Blessing
and life will he bring to thee.
But blind and deaf Jerusalem has shown herself; She has thrust back
the hands held out to her in love; Therefore also the Highest has turned
away his face, And lets her sink to destruction.
Jesus, accompanied by all his disciples, set out to pay his last visit to
Bethany. Peter, with his staff in hand, walked with John beside the
master. Judas was present, with disheveled locks and haggard look,
James the Greater and James the Less, and Andrew and Thomas, and
the rest of the disciples.
Then Jesus spoke unto them and said: "You know, dear disciples, that
after two days is the feast of the Passover. So now let us make one last
visit to our