Jewel of God
Peliah was wealthy, or more properly her husband was, he had given her an ear ring and a finger ring as wedding tokens. It was sometimes done that a man would kiss the ring of office of another as an act of bonding, humility, or service. Jesus was dining with Peliah and her husband. Jesus wore no ring but knew this tradition of course, and said to Peliah, “Good woman, stand by me.”
Jesus then told a parable illustrating the dignity of every calling in the kingdom of God.
“A king owned vast lands, filled with people of every description. So that he might recognize the particular honor of each, he commanded that each person wear a finger ring symbolic of his way of life. Those in authority wore a certain ring, as did husbands and their wives. Those who toiled in the field, in the shops, or as servants all had a ring indicating their particular dignity. Even children wore rings denoting their obedience and help given to their parents, and the king considered even these acts of children deserving of a reward. Indeed the heart in one’s work counted more in the king’s judgment than the hand laid to it, or the particular work.”
“To the king’s regret, some of his subjects became corrupted in their hearts, and their manner of work likewise suffered. They exchanged their finger rings of virtue for those of dishonor. The king sent his son to reform those who strayed, and to offer them his own ring and a sharing in his office and his royalty. To the king’s amazement some did not accept this generous offer and were content to remain in their corruption. The king then ordered that every hand wearing a ring of corruption be cut off and thrown into the fire. The king’s advisors at court noted that the heart of such a person was also corrupted, and therefore not only the ring must be cast out. The king then decreed that those not accepting the ring and office of his son, would be cast whole body into the fire.”
“The king put such people out of his memory and rejoiced in his remaining kingdom. The king then went throughout his kingdom meeting each subject, and as an act of gratitude he kissed the finger ring of each person. No one was ignored, not even the young, nor women, nor servants, for the king held that every noble work of the heart was worthy.”
Jesus turned to the wife Peliah, took her hand and kissed her ring.{35}
It was a most interesting evening, ordinarily if a stranger were to kiss the hand or ring of a wealthy wife, the offender would be quickly dealt with. When a prophet did such an unconventional act, it was assumed that it was a holy act because it was done by a prophet. Both Peliah and her husband Noah were uplifted by this act and by the prophet’s teachings of that evening. Jesus had brought only Philip, and the two returned to the olive orchard of Gethsemane after midnight.
Judas had delivered his master’s request for an audience with the Great Sanhedrin for the purpose of confirming him as Messiah of Israel. Caiaphas was high priest, and led both the Greater and the Lesser Sanhedrin. Caiaphas called for opinions from the Lesser Sanhedrin, half thought that more time was needed, and wanted Jesus to address them directly, this group would concede that Jesus might be a prophet of God, but the Messiah was not yet in Israel.
Half or more were convinced that Jesus could not be prophet or Messiah because he violated many of the finer points of the Law. With this being the opinion of the Lesser Sanhedrin, Caiaphas thought there was no point in calling for the full Sanhedrin to meet. Judas relayed the Sanhedrin’s message to Jesus:
“The Sanhedrin closely observes any claimant of Messiah, and will confirm the Messiah when he is revealed to Israel. The man Jesus must obey the authority of the Law of Moses, and of the Sanhedrin during the course of his mission.”
Jesus thanked Judas, and considered how to proceed. This was the most difficult outcome in a practical sense. He must proceed in building a structure independent of the temple, while remaining able to incorporate his mission into temple Judaism if the Sanhedrin later confirmed him. He was not sure at what point the two — Messiah Jesus and temple Judaism — were irreconcilable but a disjuncture had begun.
Jesus had hoped that the temple hierarchy, its priests and scribes would welcome him as Messiah and allow him to fulfill his mission from the temple. To bypass the high priest of the Law of Moses was not something Jesus had any intention of doing. But if the high priest continued to reject the Messiah, then the Messiah must move forward without him.
With the reply of the high priest that Judas had delivered, Jesus moved forward with his own infrastructure. He would appoint twelve of the disciples as apostle-teachers. Jesus thought, “The temple complains of one Messiah, now there will be twelve more.” He could not help but think even further ahead. If the temple continued to reject him, the apostle-teachers would be made apostle-priests of the New Covenant.
The permanent disciples now numbered sixteen. Three more followers had joined the immediate group that traveled with Jesus: Judas who was a temple Pharisee; Thomas, son of the disciple Suzanna; and James who was brother of John the prophet. The women who followed Jesus in his immediate group were Suzanna, Mary called Magdalene, and Joanna who was wife of Herod’s palace overseer.
The disciples were considered for apostle in the order they were received. Some were not available for assignment as permanent apostles for one reason or another. Mathias was still an indentured servant, and his master would have to be contacted to obtain his freedom or permission. This proved impossible in the short term as his master was away in a Greek city. Dismas was not sure he wanted to renounce the Zealot cause. Judas could not give allegiance to another teacher without the approval of his current master.
Judas was a Pharisee of Aaron, who was leader of a school of Pharisees. The Pharisee Aaron was tolerant of Jesus, but could not accept Jesus as Messiah until he was declared as such by the Sanhedrin. Any Pharisee would be expelled if he took the premature stand of accepting Jesus as Messiah, and becoming a permanent disciple was an implicit admission of this.
Judas submitted a conditional resignation to the elder Aaron. He offered his resignation as no exemption could be granted for him to be a permanent disciple of Jesus. Judas was surprised when he was told that his resignation would be retained for future consideration, and that until such time, he was free to become a permanent disciple of the Rabbi Jesus. He would remain under the authority of the elder Aaron and of the high priest, but was exempt from all discretionary duties as a Pharisee.
To now, Jesus was continually two steps behind in staffing. He waited upon the Sanhedrin until he could wait no longer. apostle-teachers were desperately needed and Jesus appointed twelve. They were: Simon called Peter and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip, Nathanael, Matthew the tax collector, Thomas, Thaddeus, Judas, James, and Simon the Zealot. The women were effectively apostles, as many orthodox Jews would not allow a strange man, even a prophet to teach their wives.{36}
It was that time when the temple tax for the year was due. It was collected in two days, mostly at the local village level, where the rabbi or his agent would make note of it. In Jerusalem, with many Jewish pilgrims year round, a clay token could be requested to be given as proof of payment upon return to one’s village. Jews everywhere were required to pay by noon, but none of the pilgrims had paid, they simply had no money.
The pilgrims had come to the attention of a temple tax agent, who approached them. The agent motioned to a pair of temple guards who acted as secure couriers of the collected coins. Peter stepped forward to greet the agent, Jesus observed. The agent spoke clearly, “Have you men paid the temple tax?”
Peter answered, “No, not yet.”
The agent continued, “If you are able to, you must pay it today.”
Judas stepped forward, holding up an empty purse and said, “We have given what we have to the poor, and we have no money to pay the tax.”
The temple tax had been instated by Nehemiah centuries ago to raise funds to rebuild the temple. Current levy was half a shekel of silver for every man; women and children were not assessed. The agent was about to speak, but Jesus said, “How much do we owe? We are fourteen men.”
The agent quickly said, “Seven shekels.”
Jesus said, “We will pay that now.” He took half a loaf of bread and tore and scattered it about in front of himself and the agent.
Sparrows were at once upon the bread, but there quickly came a group of crows. Many of them had a half-shekel coin in their mouth, which they dropped in order to retrieve the bread crumbs. It was later learned that an elderly coin changer in the temple had collapsed and crows had taken his coins, this was thought to be the source of the coins.{37}
The bread was very quickly taken, or more properly exchanged for silver shekels, which now lay in place of the bread. The apostles gathered fourteen of the coins and gave them to Judas, who gave them to the agent, who took them and gave Judas a clay coin with the number “14” inked on its back, then bowed and walked off.
Nobody was sleeping much, it was unusually cold, in a cold month. The two blankets were given to the women, who tried to pass them off to each other, or drape them on sleeping persons. Matthew alone was snoring, comfortable under two blankets that had been deposited on him. From Gethsemane’s orchard, Jesus was watching the moon, the temple and Jerusalem, and felt a cold sensation on his hand. Within a minute he observed more snowflakes drifting down and smiled, it was payoff for a cold sleepless night. The snowfall was soon very heavy and everyone was awake, observing the rare occurrence. For three hours it continued, and into the dawn.
At the lead of Jesus, everyone stood up and observed the scene. Jerusalem was blanketed, the hills were white and sparkling as the low rising sun touched them. It was magnificent! Steam was rising from the springs and pools in the city. Already workers were busy sweeping the snow away at the temple using baskets to gather the sweepings. Children were heard and seen in the Kidron valley below, they were making balls from the snow and tossing them at each other. Jesus said loudly to the pilgrims, “Let us meditate upon the goodness of the Lord.” This was to be the morning’s prayer.
In Jerusalem, it snowed one year in seven. It was not usually so extreme as to freeze pooled water, or most vegetation. On one such day the pilgrims were within the walls of the city sheltering themselves from a cold wind. They were near one of the gates in the Tyropean valley. For all the preaching that Jesus made as to indifference to circumstances, he seemed to have a core of asceticism, and would not seek any indoor shelter, preferring to pray in the cold.
After a few hours of cold meditation, Jesus seemed to become alert to something and rose to his feet in a sort of deliberate sequence, and for some specific reason. He looked nowhere in particular and then said to the others, “Let us leave the city.”
The pilgrims left through the gate and turned west walking along the base of the city walls, above the Hinnom Valley. They arrived at the refuse pit called Gehenna. It was a gray day; the wind was brisk and cold and blew the stench alternately toward the pilgrims, then away from them. Jesus made no attempt to avoid the odor, and the men did likewise. The gusts whipped the cloaks and scarves into the faces of the men, but they stood stoically facing the wind and the road leading to the pit.
Peter took upon himself the task of respectfully asking the master what they were waiting for. Jesus replied, “We are not waiting, we are praying, please continue to do so.” The apostles began to silently pray.
At length, Jesus turned to the group and said, “The cart men are delayed by the Evil One, who seeks to prevent me from recovering my children, but it will not be so. These children have had nothing in this life, excepting pain; but they shall have unending joy in the next, and will be rewarded a hundred fold in this life. Andrew, James, Matthew…go over the ridge and help our friends.”
Crossing over the ridge, the three came upon two men, a donkey, and a covered cart which trailed a sickening odor, but which blew off quickly in the wind. They seemed to be having trouble moving the cart, one man lead the yoked donkey and the other pushed, but they were out of strength and out of spirit.
The three disciples approached the cart men, “We were sent to help you,” Matthew spoke loudly in a gust, and the three got behind to push. The speed improved but it was difficult, the disciples learned that the cart contained bodies for disposal and that the cart men had encountered several problems along the way. One of the two wheels was seizing up.
Shortly, six more disciples arrived, running as best they could. Judas reached under the cover and pulled out a skin of oil, and applied some of it to the stubborn wheel, which then turned much easier. In answer to the stares of the others he said, “The master told me I would find some oil under the tarp.” No one was really surprised, and soon nine disciples were pushing and pulling the cart, with the cart men leading the donkey.
The group arrived at the Gehenna pit, there was a steep slope leading down into it. The road that passed by it was widened and had a raised stone edge to prevent unloading carts from tumbling in. The pit was the destiny of all refuse that had no other use, especially unclaimed, diseased bodies. The Jewish communities of the villages saw to the burial of strangers and lepers, but in the metropolis of Jerusalem the bodies of non-Jews, lepers, beggars, robbers, and others often ended up in Gehenna.
It was a place that fueled itself, literally and culturally. The organic heap of filth burned slowly and continually from the inside out, and wild dogs fought with demon possessed wild men for the bodies at night. Archers in the towers of the city wall did what they could to prevent such scavenging.
“Unload the bodies, and lay them before me.” Jesus said to the cart men. Jesus spoke with a certain authority and sincerity that usually effected his requests, and the cart men laid the wrapped bodies before the prophet. When the task was completed the cart man said, “Rabbi, you should know that all these people were lepers.”
“Does anyone claim these?” Jesus said loudly, looking in all directions for any claimants. There was of course no response. Jesus said firmly, “Then I claim them. I am the life of all who desire fullness of life, and those who would have this life will not be found in the pit of Gehenna.”
“Release these people,” Jesus said to the cart men.
The cart men were unsure as what to do, this man was likely the prophet that everybody was speaking of, but they hesitated to unwrap the bodies. Jesus walked to the first body and untied the bindings, he moved aside the sackcloth from the head, which gasped deeply and loudly for air.
“Release her!” commanded the prophet, “Release them all!”
The apostles quickly freed the others, who likewise sought their breath as they were uncovered and returned to life. Within a few minutes all six were on their feet, looking at each other, and all the others. All were restored not only to life, but to health. The leprosy was gone, and each beamed with clear skin, fine hair, and straight limbs. The two women and four men looked to range in age from about 16 to 40 years at most.
Jesus then spoke, “Children, the God of Israel has raised you to life again. We are pilgrims and are returning now to our guest house, you may join us, or go your way.” Most of the scavengers in the horrible pit came close to observe what was happening. Jesus implored them to leave, obtain baptism, place their trust in the God of Israel and begin a new life.
The group set off, Jesus leading and speaking to each of them, not detailing their return to this life, but helping them to plan their future. Three had families they believed were still existing, and wanted to return to them; the other three were given the locations of pious and generous benefactors in Jerusalem, who volunteered their services to the prophet in whatever way he required.
Later that week, Jesus was preaching in the market stalls in the upper city. In the upper city of Jerusalem lived the wealthiest citizens in Israel. The streets were paved with stone and the mansions were large and opulent. Those making purchases that day were mostly servants of the wealthy who lived in the upper city.
Jesus spoke to these servants saying, “Servants of men, do not think that yours is a life forgotten by the God of Israel. Rather he bestows privilege upon you. Wealth that is tightly bound to one’s will is like a mill stone that slows movement toward God. The status that the rich and powerful strive to maintain in the eyes of others, is poison to the soul. When one has many concerns, the life of the world consumes the life of the soul.”
“With the advent of the Messiah, who is now in Israel and is here now, those who are free of these things that burden the soul are called to enter the kingdom of God. Do not delay, enter now and remain forever. This is the promise of the Law and the prophets.”
“Attach no importance to either servitude or mastery. To do so is like attaching importance to the color of one’s hair, or the size of one’s ears. The status of all these things is of no consequence in the kingdom of God. Indeed every good servant is already advancing toward the kingdom in his humility of office and of person.”
“What servant in the upper city of Jerusalem wants for anything? The poor who farm the land are to be found in Galilee and in the orchards around Jerusalem. If you have what is needed for life, give it no further thought, seek then the kingdom of God by acts of obedience, and charity of thought.”
“Do not think that because you are without money that you are without effect. To give to the poor is good, but to prevent poverty by restoring God’s perfect creation is better. In the first perfection in the day of Adam, no one wanted or hoarded, and your acts of virtue do much to restore Israel to this pristine origin.”
“The Messiah is here now, tell others of this. If your master will not allow this, be content to know that your God is aware of your entry into the kingdom and urges you to attain your full stature in the kingdom by perseverance in virtue. It is such virtue and faith that will be the final meaning of your life, and nothing else.”
A wealthy follower of the prophet had leased a market booth that day on behalf of the prophet and was allowing the disciples to conduct baptisms. Jesus spoke to the crowds telling them of the new kingdom, and the New Covenant. He taught of the kingdom of God saying, “Hear the parable of the treasury accounts.”
“A prince was put in charge of his father’s wealth. The father had valuable holdings of a great variety and was generous in lending them. To all who applied he gave what was requested for any good cause. Even those living far from him shared in his wealth to some degree.”
“As for collateral in exchange for the wealth, the great man required only what an applicant had, and what he could easily spare. From one he took useless trinkets, from another he took moth eaten cloth. To all who offered this surplus the wealthy man returned a seven fold portion of wealth. The wealthy man had no use for such rubbish and discarded it all, hoping instead that his debtors would return what was loaned to them, and even hoping for a profit.”
“In time, the wealthy man told his son the prince to close out all the accounts. The prince started on the task, but reported that the debtors could not pay and that he, the prince would make good on their debt. The prince did so for all who asked, even using his father’s money to do so. The repayment extended even to those who had misused their loans. To the consternation of the prince, some never even bothered to apply for this amnesty, even after repeated pleas. The accounts were closed, and the wealthy man moved far away from those who ignored the amnesty offer. Those who did participate in it joined the household of the prince and were even granted a sharing from his father’s vast treasury.”
Sadducees, Pharisees, priests, and others of wealth or influence were inside the nearby former palace of Herod, which was now a governing house for the Sanhedrin. They were told of the man Jesus who was preaching outside and turned out to hear him.
The wealthy and powerful seemed to have a servant for every task, even servants to hurl insults at Jesus. On this occasion, some men of the Sanhedrin who had come out to hear him prodded their secretaries and scribes. The meaning was understood and they stepped forward to challenge Jesus. The scribes were well versed in the faith and made objections to his theology and to his person. Jesus was warned that the wrath of God was upon every false prophet, and that every “Messiah” to date had come to ruin.
Jesus approached this specific group of men, raised his hands to silence the protesters and spoke. “Good men of Jerusalem, let the works of the Messiah testify to his authenticity. The dead are raised, the lame walk, the faithless find the peace of God. Servants serve their masters with new joy, and synagogues are filled; all because the Messiah offers faith, and many accept. Israel will be restored, and you are witnessing the beginning of this. Do not impede this, rather promote this work of God. The Messiah has offered, and offers himself now as the Messiah of the Temple of Jerusalem, but he is rejected and therefore speaks in the streets. Do not then, banish him from the market places and synagogues.”
“As to the insults you speak, they do not harm me, they harm you. Hear the parable of the good Samaritan.” Jesus began the story, “There was a certain man of Samaria. He was the best of men. He praised God as he knew how, even if he was incorrect in understanding, his will was likened to God in a way unlike that of many Jews. He even went so far as to rescue Jews left for dead, and he dealt justly with all people.”
“For all this he was despised by his fellow men in Judaea and Galilee. He was cursed for his incorrect understanding of religion by those who likewise lacked understanding, but his good will shone like the stars of Heaven, never returning any of the insults he received. To this Samaritan was attributed the evil of the world, but in fact he owned none of it. Neither the accusations nor the vengeance required by false honor were bound to the man’s soul.”
“Rather, the insults revealed both the false understanding of those offering the insults, and their usurpation of God’s sole privilege of moral judgment. If the man would have been a thief, they would have been correct in restraining him, but in fact he caused no harm. Charity by the Jews would sooner win over the Samaritans than insults, but this was not offered. The Samaritan learned his goodness from God, therefore those insulting him were insulting the virtues of God.”
“You treat me as this Samaritan, but you do not know the truth about me. When you insult me you insult the virtue, the will, and the plan of God. I tell you there is only one sin that will not be forgiven in this life or the next, and this blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is it. Your insults cannot adhere to me, because they find no correspondence in me. If I am false, then I will come to a bitter end. If I am the mercy and Messiah of God, then my end will not be bitter, but redemptive, even if you were to hang me from a cross.”
The men said, “We are the elders of Israel, and we will declare the Messiah when he comes. We alone have the wisdom and the authority to do so. You are a mud builder from Galilee, and have never been to a school in the temple and know nothing of our faith, or of the Messiah yet to come. You swindle money from the people and pretend to work miracles. You are a devil and God’s wrath is upon you.”
Jesus replied, “God’s wrath is generated from your own sins of greed and arrogance. Your sin damages the world, and you call it God’s wrath. Learn another lesson from the good Samaritan.”
“The Samaritan was a master of his soul, just as insults had no hold on his spirit, so too was his own wealth kept at arm’s length instead of clutched to his chest. He owned much, but was owned by none of it. He claimed nothing in his pilgrimage on earth, even if he was given much. He was poor in spirit, and as a result earned great wealth that was kept on account for him in Paradise. Your wealth will not follow you to your destiny, and since you have little love…be warned.”
“Again I say, there is only one sin that will not be forgiven in this life or the next, and that is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Hear me carefully, this is what you do when you insult the virtue, plan and person of God. It is the Holy Spirit that brings all these graces to the Messiah and to the world. If you persist in this blasphemy you will have no part in God or Heaven.”
“I offer to be the Messiah of the temple, but you reject my offer. Who will accept it...the Romans perhaps. Will you be content that a Roman govern the kingdom of God on earth. Will the Temple of Jerusalem remain standing one thousand or two thousand years hence, and as the center of the faith? I dread to know the answer.”
“The Temple of Jerusalem need not perish, let it be the home of the New Covenant. Let the temple priests be the priests of the New Covenant. Let the Messiah, who you see now be recognized as the New Covenant. The Law of Moses was not given that it would find its glory in a thousand details, but in the glory of the Messiah who is now among you.”
The men from the Sanhedrin were not moved, but cast their faces like stone. Their secretaries began once more to disparage the prophet. Jesus overruled them with his loud voice, offering a final reproach shouting, “You cling to your own corpses, and fail to embrace the living one! You do not enter Heaven yourself, and would prevent others from doing so! When I am gone you will congratulate one another, it will be the dead embracing the dead! I leave you now, to find those who would hear and act on my words, and come to accept the Messiah, for only the living speak and only the living hear what is spoken!”
Jesus took the pilgrims and left the upper city.
Jesus had sent Suzanna and Mary to purchase food for an evening meal. They were much delayed in returning and Jesus asked Thomas if it was like his mother to be delayed. Thomas replied that if she was delayed there was good reason, and that he had every confidence in their safe return. Women could walk safely in Jerusalem, and almost every woman went to market, many alone.
Thomas suspected that his mother had been delayed by some act of charity, no other reason would delay her from fulfilling her duty. Jesus asked about her charitable habits. Thomas listed many and told a story of the second hand market stall she had operated. In Bethany, Suzanna would solicit donations of used clothing and other items such as usable pottery and mats, and sell or give the items away at the market from her own tent stand. The proceeds would pay for the stall tax and the remainder given to the poor. On the second day each week, she and others did this.
At length the two women did return, and with much food. Jesus examined the food, it was an unusual purchase; no two pieces were the same. It was as if the women visited forty stalls to make the purchase. Jesus asked if they had encountered problems that delayed them. Suzanna replied that they had not, and started to prepare portions of food for meals. Jesus continued, asking if there was any money left over, and Suzanna replied that they had given the left over money to the poor. Jesus had no objection as this was his policy, but some things still did not fit together. Again Jesus watched as the many types of food were distributed, then said firmly, “All this food was donated at your asking, and you gave all the money away!”
Suzanna replied, “Yes master, I hope I have done no wrong.”
Jesus could find no fault in her actions, tilted his head back and laughed into his hands.
Suzanna could, and had literally charmed the cloak off a person’s back. This she had done as people passed by her second hand tent in Bethany. At fifty years of age she was still doing it.
Another woman, Joanna by name was wife of the palace supervisor of King Herod Antipas who ruled Galilee. Joanna had come to tell Jesus of the death of John the prophet.
Joanna’s husband Chuza had much authority within the palace and this allowed Joanna access to the prophet John. Joanna disguised her visits by bringing food to John. John spoke not of himself but of the Messiah, who was Jesus the prophet from Nazareth. Joanna provided much useful service in cultivating the goodwill of Herod Antipas toward Jesus. She was the leader of the disciples in the city of Tiberias, from which Herod ruled Galilee.
Joanna told Jesus that John was dead, and of the particulars of that night: the princess, her dance, the execution and the delivery of John’s head to the queen. Jesus was calmly saddened, he then told the disciples of John’s death.
Joanna had found the pilgrims in camp. The mood was somber and sad, too sad. Jesus spoke to everyone, “Friends, it is right that we be saddened by the evil of Herod and his cou