Jesus Appeals to the Citizens
Caesarea was a splendid new Roman port city, only 50 years old with a population of 125,000. As the Roman capitol of Judaea it boasted administrative buildings, an amphitheater, a Roman temple, a Hippodrome for chariot races and gladiator contests, and the largest seaport on the east coast of the Mediterranean. It was Rome in miniature. Legionaries shipping in and out, sailors, coastal caravans, and travelers all added to its permanent population. Several Roman cohorts also made their home in Caesarea.{38} Every type of person, religion, occupation, virtue and vice could be found in Caesarea. Almost half the citizens were Jewish, and Jesus was here to preach to these citizens.
The pilgrims were delayed arriving in Caesarea, as the master often stopped to preach the good news. Perhaps they were not delayed, as they neither constructed nor possessed a schedule of any sort.
Knowing that Caesarea was the center of Roman rule in Judaea, Thomas asked Jesus, “Master, are the Zealots correct in fighting the Romans?”
As usual, the answer was not a simple yes or no. Jesus replied, “Caesar does not deny our people the necessities for life, and so long as one does not speak against the Emperor, he lives in peace. More importantly, Caesar allows the most vital element of life — the covenant between God and Israel. Do not expect the Father to make war where none is required.”
“You have heard of the Greek Antiochus who called himself “God manifest”, who attempted to desecrate the Law by erecting idols and forcing the people of the Covenant to eat unclean food. God quickly sent his servant Judas Maccabeus to save the people of Israel from this evil.”
“Observe the difference between Caesar and Antiochus, the one allows God his just rule in the heart of man, and the other does not. The ruler who challenges God’s rule, be he Roman, Greek or Jew will meet a swift end.”
“The Zealots are eager for the rule of God in Israel. Yet it is not the Romans who prevent this, so there is no need to expel them. If God allows the Romans to rule, and the Zealots fight against this, who is the greater rebel against God? Amen I tell you, God would not allow the Romans rule, at the expense of even a single soul. The Zealots should rather respect, and not fight the Romans. If the Zealots want more exclusive rule within Israel, they should bring themselves to perfection of love. When one rises or falls, others do likewise. No Thomas, the way of the Zealots is not the way of the Messiah, and all who would aspire to become Messiah must use the weapons of the will and the soul.” {39}
Matthew, Philip, Peter and Jesus approached the market stalls that lined the waterfront. Greek, not Aramaic was the language of the waterfront. Greek was Philip’s native language and he was invaluable in many cross cultural situations. Matthew and Jesus were also fluent in Greek.
Their mission was to procure an afternoon meal for the group. They usually delayed a main meal until afternoon, and this was often their only meal of the day. They might save a bit for breakfast the next day, but would never purchase more than required for a day.
Jesus carried one of the sacks by a shoulder rope, and all of them surveyed the available food. They would not likely have a fire, and they would purchase accordingly. Prices in the afternoon were often different from prices in the morning, depending upon morning sales volume and afternoon inventory on hand. The purchase was ten loaves, and a sack of olives, and Matthew obtained them for a good price.
Heading back to the rest of the group, the men passed a stall in which a man was offering prayer — Jewish prayer. The men stopped and Jesus said, “Blessings be upon you and your business.”
The man gave his own blessing, and said, “I have not seen you men before, are you new to the city?”
Jesus replied affirmatively and asked if the man sold commodities of grain and olives. It was obvious that he did, and the man replied that he did deal in those items.
Jesus told the seller that he dealt in a more precious commodity, that of souls.
The man made no irreverent comments, and Jesus continued, “Sir, are you aware that souls too, are sold and bought? Yes it is true. Our father Adam sold his for what appeared to be a good exchange, but was not. Now the Messiah is in Israel to repurchase such souls.”
“Here now...the Messiah...and you are his agent?”
Jesus answered, “I speak as him.”
The man paused, then said, “Tell me sir, what is the price of a soul?”
Jesus answered, “In Caesarea they are sold very cheaply, which makes their repurchase price all the more expensive.”
“What is the cost in shekels of silver?”
“Silver will not do, not even talents of gold. Souls must be ransomed in the same currency that they were sold for.”{40}
The seller waited, hoping that Jesus would continue speaking and not make him drag the information out of him, but Jesus waited patiently for his next question.
“And what currency might that be?”
“Love.”
This time the seller would not budge and began to shuffle some items around, attempting to show disinterest.
Jesus continued, “Love is what a soul is sold for — false love. True love will repurchase these lost souls. The expense is great, it will cost the very flesh which covers the soul of Love. Love will be scourged then hung like meat in a market, but this is the necessary currency.” The seller was silent.
Jesus asked the merchant, “Sir, what is the first rule of trading?”
The man said, “The basis of profit is to buy at a lower price, and resell at a higher price.”
“And this is a true law. But there are greater laws, and these greater laws have more bearing upon the life of man. If you subject yourself to a law of trading, and if you subject yourself to the laws of Rome, which are both imperfect, how much more should you obey the laws of God. In truth, all are subject to this law. A man may be subjected to either its benefits or its punishment, but all are subject.”
The seller had years of experience dealing with people of all sorts in Caesarea. He closely examined Jesus and said, “You look like a Jew, but speak like a crazed Greek Stoic.”
Jesus replied, “No man in his right mind would offer his life for ungrateful children.”
Jesus continued, “I am the Messiah awaited by Israel. I come to redeem man from impending Hell. Acknowledge this and you will live.”
Jesus paused to let the man consider all this then spoke again, “Lemuel, stay here at your market stall. The Messiah desires his disciples everywhere. These other men you see, follow me on the roads, but you are to follow me from Caesarea. When you hear of my death, do not despair, but patiently wait for such men as these to again visit Caesarea, and then tell them of this event. You will then be assigned your new duties. Peace be upon you.” Jesus opened his hands in an exit greeting and left.
Jesus remained in the market the entire day, visiting stalls and speaking with many. At one point a market seller was arguing with a customer over a matter of dates. The owner demanded that the prophet judge between the two, and give him justice.
Jesus said to the seller, “I have no interest in this, and I will not fight for it. As for you sir, I suggest that you also abandon your interest in it, the damage you inflict upon your soul is in no way balanced by the attainment of satisfaction. God supplies you with what you need and he always has, your home and your family testifies to that. You are now going to battle over surplus scraps and trinkets. Why not instead advance your soul? This is the occasion to do so.”
Both men abandoned their claim to the dates in question and they remained on the table until hours later when the market seller gave them away.
Simon and Dismas were former Zealots, and they were making their best efforts in tolerance toward the many Roman soldiers in Caesarea.
Jesus asked, “Dismas, in the days when you would argue political reform, would you achieve better results when you spoke more, or louder, or more forcefully?”
“No master that is why I had to take up the sword.”
“Had to, you say.”
Jesus continued, “A person sees the world through the eyes of his spirit, which is in some way wounded. Love of gold, desire for power, lust, and impiety are all wounds on the spirit, and you will not talk people out of these disorders of spirit. The solution is one of spiritual reform — greed turned into generosity, hoarding into trust, lust turned into chastity, and it is the call of the sons and daughters of light to make this reform by their acts, and to share it by prayer.”
“I am not amazed that talk obtained you little. There is no shortfall of good ideas in our world, but they do not take root in hearts and minds because these hearts and minds are not properly disposed to accept them. Therefore, precede your words by acts of restorative mediation, and you will have greater success. And do not be distraught if the Father garners part of your efforts to save those appearing before the judgment court of Heaven.”
Philip joined the conversation, “Lord, are you saying that spirits of good virtue may be forced on those who do not know the better way?”
“Yes Philip, this too must be. Consider that the effects of original sin were shared by all of creation, and not by consent. God can neither advance in virtue, nor be corrupted by sin, therefore both disorder or restoration must have its effect in creation.”
“When someone strikes your right cheek, so not seek revenge, but offer the left cheek as well, in this way you will reform the evil spirit assaulting your assailant, in a way that words will not.”
“Dismas, when a Roman tells you to carry a burden for one mile, do so with love, and carry it even two miles.”
“In this same way political action alone will provide little solution, it must be joined to sacrificial love. Then the reformed spirit of the world and its people will act justly in their legal decrees and their action.”
“Dismas, the Romans and Gentiles alone will not benefit, the first beneficiary will be your own soul. The Romans are your necessary enemy. Strive to reform your soul so that this will not be necessary.” {41}
Officially, there were no atheists in the Empire — it was just not possible. To deny the gods was akin to denying the obvious existence of the sun. It was therefore reasoned that to deny the gods was to deny the protection they offered to their client state. This was effectively treason. The gods saw to the good fortune of the empire and were co-rulers with Caesar. If a person chose to make a public issue of the matter, the state was obligated to side with the gods and award commensurate punishment to the offender. Within the empire, Jews were allowed “exclusive worship of their tribal god”.
More often than not, the crowds that Jesus would speak to were composed of both Jews and Pagans — Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Syrians. These good people practicing religion were largely Pagan polytheists. Some were of the Stoic philosophy, which had many variants, some of which acknowledged a God of sorts, who was more of an impersonal Good. Jesus had as much success among the Pagans as among the Jews, and in the years following, the apostles would likewise find the Pagan population very receptive.
It was a matter of practical religion. It was no heresy to include one more god in one’s household, and the god of the Jews, or the god-man Jesus was certainly showing his worth. The miracles were continual, and an afterlife in Heaven to boot. Jesus left it to the disciples remaining in Caesarea, to explain the theology of monotheism to the enthusiastic new members.
Later, the pilgrims were walking the main market street in the Roman section of the city. Jesus was more observing than preaching and they passed stalls selling items of every sort. Jesus observed the stalls selling idols and amulets, but passed them by. He did stop at a stall selling statues that made no immediate sense.
The pilgrims examined the strange objects, but remained undecided as to their purpose. Peter asked Jesus, “What are they?”
Jesus said, “I am not sure.”
The proprietors, who were a man and a woman, answered, “They are statues of art.” The woman continued, “You men are farmers, do you know what art is.”
Jesus pointed to a painted clay statue and said, “How is this art?”
The woman explained the statue, “That work is titled, ‘Abstraction of cycles’. The swirling impressions on the clay remind us of the greater and lesser cycles extant in our manifold encounters.”
Peter exclaimed, “It does what?...Master these people twist the minds and morals of good people. You must call down fire from Heaven to destroy these evil things!”
Peter had grabbed the statue and was shaking it as he spoke. The woman tried to reclaim it from Peter, and both tore the statue from the other. The statue fell to the ground, shattering itself.
Peter and the woman looked at the pieces, then at each other and spoke in tandem claiming the other to be at fault in the disaster.
Jesus was ineffectively trying to separate the two, and resolve the problem. Finally he shouted, “Stop, I will pay!”
The woman accepted all the money the pilgrims had — three days wages, and put the pieces in a cloth, and gave it to Jesus. Jesus and company left at once without taking the swirling cycles.
On another occasion a man threw dirt from the street at the prophet, and railed against Jesus saying, “You are not wanted here Jewish prophet! Israel murdered our fathers, your Joshua killed my ancestors and burned our cities. Not just in Canaan, but here along the coast of Phoenicia.”
The apostles subdued the man before he could further threaten the prophet. Jesus approached the man and stated, “I was present, and in union with the decision that the people of the conquered cities should be put to the sword.”{42}
Again Jesus explained the theology of sin and evil, as he had to continually, “Know this friend, God does not create evil; evil is the outer face of sin, the disorder of evil is the disorder caused by the sin of man. War, oppression, poverty, and even disease and drought have their origin in the sin of man. Once created, evil must have its effect somewhere, somehow. As father to his children and creator of the world, the God of goodness and justice assigns the evil of man so as to bring good from evil...but it must be assigned. If you want to enjoy the good without having to go through the evil, renounce sin. Do not say ‘I do not deserve this calamity’, say rather ‘I deserve worse, but God spares me.’ Evil in our world is not a matter of God punishing man, but of man punishing himself.”
“As to your complaint of Joshua being the instrument of punishment, and putting cities to the sword. Consider that the entire population of Canaan died every fifty years. The cause of these deaths by disease and age, is the sin of man. In the first case God commanded Joshua to kill the inhabitants, while in the other case God commanded disease to kill the people. Yet both disease and the sword are really the sin of man.”
“Do not think the Canaanites and the Phoenicians alone have their sin inflicted upon them as evil. God does not spare his own children. He allowed the Assyrians and the Babylonians to conquer his children Israel. Please understand that sin must have its effect, and better that it is inflicted on body than soul.”{43}
“King David of Israel sinned, and was given the choice by God of selecting which particular calamity would befall Israel. He was given the choice of war, famine or disease. If he had chosen war, then God would have allowed victory to an enemy king; if famine, then God would have allowed David’s sin to prevent nature from raining. If David had chosen disease, then God would have allowed the disorder of sin to manifest itself as deadly fever and poisoned blood and humors.”
“Why not conform yourself to God’s virtues, and become citizens of the new kingdom which is now being populated. This new kingdom is that of the Messiah of Israel, and in it no murder or disease, war or poverty will be found.”
The Phoenician protester left, and Jesus finished speaking in the market. There were many two and even three level buildings lining the street, and people were observing the prophet who was the cause of so much activity.
Rahala the prostitute shouted from her roof top, “I would have you prophet!”
Jesus looked up and boomed, “And I desire union with you Rahala. I will take you in matrimony…do not delay, come quickly.” {44}
The other women gathered closely around Rahala to snicker and comment on her new “husband”. Without warning, the overburdened area crumbled, and the chattering women fell through the roof. A large dog chased Rahala, rather herded her directly into the arms of Jesus. Rahala had a death grip on the prophet, and tried to speak but could only move her lips; she looked desperately into the smiling eyes of the prophet who called to someone in their band saying, “Suzanna, instruct my betrothed.”
Rahala stayed with the pilgrims for three months, seeing no more of Jesus than anyone else, and was given a new life as a member of a womens’ consecrated house and orphanage in Jerusalem, she advanced in soul and became love incarnate. She witnessed the crucifixion of her husband and lived to be 101 years old.
The harbor at Caesarea was a superb example of Roman civil engineering. Ten ton boulders, hydraulic cement and construction stone were formed into a half mile square enclosed harbor. A 200’ tall lighthouse could be seen for many miles by approaching ships. The breakwaters were city blocks extending into the sea, complete with warehouses and repair facilities. It was here that Jesus had previously worked for this cousin Hazorus. Connected to the breakwaters and to the south, was an open pier area that could be used only in fair weather. It was there that the pilgrims were on the day of the fire.
Caesarea was laid out in the Roman grid system of streets. Two streets behind Waterfront Street was a block of pubs and brothels. Jesus had heard of it from his coworkers in the caravans.
Jesus and ten others were sitting in rest and meditation on the waterfront, when a man stepped to the center of the group and made a sales pitch. He offered them pornography and showed sample ink drawings on papyrus of nude women, and of people engaged in the sex act. Jesus was stunned. He engaged the eyes of the vendor and asked, “Where did you get these?” The man said they were offered at a pub two streets over, on Second Street, and he would be glad to show the men the exact shop.
The group followed the vendor, entering the block known as “the street of the damned” — the name given to the block of shops, brothels, and pubs that catered to corrupt desires. The title was a strange mixture of cynicism, and indifference, the same qualities its patrons cultivated in their own lives.
South Second Street was the vice district. It was tolerated to a degree decided by the Roman administration of the city and of the province. Pontius Pilate was the governor of Judaea, and also an armchair practitioner of the Stoic philosophy, and did not approve of such vice. Pilate was demanding, dutiful, and impulsive, but his conversion to Stoicism had moderated him enough to obtain the post of governor. He allowed the vice because it would exist, and he would rather have it under his control.
The “street of the damned” was enabled and disabled according to the reigning governor by taxes, enforcement of existing morality and zoning laws, and bribery. The one block area was the only place where prostitution was “allowed”, and the only place that pubs were allowed inside the city walls. A pub being defined as a place where one could purchase wine or distilled wine without purchasing a meal. Vendors of such services paid a premium to obtain the required permit. Opium, pornography, and stabbing knives were sold under the counter.
The pilgrims had avoided the “street of the damned” until now, but could not avoid observing the businesses that the smut vendor lead them past. Walking the streets were a few Roman soldiers, and a few non-descript men, no women were seen. The pedestrians would slowly pass by a business and look in or otherwise consider it, and would sometimes step inside.
The pilgrims entered the pub that offered the images that had been shown in sample at the waterfront. The owner was told by his agent that the men would like to see more. Jesus halted the owner as he produced the images and said, “Stop sir, you endanger your soul by selling these. I will purchase all you have, but you must promise to cease buying and selling them altogether.”
The owner grew stern and returned the stack of images to a box and pushed Jesus hard, causing him to stumble back. As Thaddeus attempted to put himself between the fuming owner and Jesus, he too was shoved aside by the large man.
Jesus stormed out of the pub and began to shout, “Repent, repent! The kingdom of God is at hand! Repent of this evil! Cease from your ruination, and think of your souls!” The prophet was jogging in a zig-zag pattern from one business to the next, screaming and pounding on doors. Shortly the owners came out and attempted to subdue him.
Jesus had the adrenaline advantage and in his rage no one could stop him. His reflexes were quickened, his movements were quick and full of power, he had taken a length of rope and folded it, making a whip and was fending off those who approached him shouting, “Do not lay hold of me! Until you repent you will have no part in me! Your soul should be a refuge, and a house of prayer, but you have turned it over to thieves.”
He mounted a large four ox cart loaded with bundled hides and stood atop. The disciples surrounded the prophet and pulled down any who attempted to climb after him. The assaults on Jesus stopped as the owners sent runners to the waterfront to enlist the service of the Roman auxiliaries in police capacity.
From atop the hides, Jesus spoke loudly and full of passion, “People of Caesarea, you sell the kingdom of God for a very small price! After you vomit your wine, and disease eats your loins; after what you swindled from others is stolen from you; and after the Devil makes his kingdom in your soul, what will you have to show for all your mispleasure? It will not be the kingdom of Heaven, but the torture chamber of Hell. Know this, my very misguided friends, one need not be a son of Israel to obtain Heaven, but one must obey the law of virtue within one’s conscience.”
“In Israel, our God spoke to Moses on Sinai, he made ten commands upon Israel, but only three were new. The others were to honor your father and mother, but did you obey them in your youth? The next was that you shall not kill. Have you at least kept life, or do the prostitutes among you drink potions to kill the children they carry. The next command prohibited adultery, but instead it’s the first thing in your thoughts. Your conscience commands that you not steal, but you create even new ways to steal, by false weights, documents and promises. Your lies will follow you to Hell, as will your thoughts of coveting who and what belongs to others. Drunkards, fornicators, and the irreverent will not obtain Heaven, but will be thrown into Hell, where they will gnash their teeth and wail in never ending pain.”
“You dull your sense of conscience, and when you are occasionally aware of it, you do not follow its promptings the next day, but continue on your path to ruin. You ruin not only yourselves, but many, many others.”
“Your mind and your soul are not unaware earthen containers into which you may throw one thing as well as another. What you consent to forms and reinforces who you are. You are body and soul, and your soul is the character of your being. For both those with the Law of Moses and for those without know this; desire gives rise to act, repeated act forms habit, habit forms character and character determines destiny.”
“How am I to appeal to you, when you have not the first grounding in proper conduct. If you had remorse I could guide you in a life well lived. You might reform your business by ceasing the sale of women, weapons and lustful images. The wine you sell or drink is properly enjoyed with a meal, not in place of a meal in a five-fold quantity. You curse God and man and thus show your disapproval, your wish will be realized in a place where neither God nor man lives, only demons. The destruction of this street would be a blessing upon you!”
“To the Jews of Caesarea I offer the kingdom of God, and my disciples baptize many. Even to those who are not Jews, I offer salvation. Both those who adhere to the Law of Moses and those who adhere to the law of conscience may accept the Holy Spirit of God and enter the kingdom.”
“The Messiah is revealed to you now; yes, in Caesarea, here in the “street of the damned”. The Messiah would storm Hell itself to save one of his misguided children and does so now. I implore you to respond in repentance and faith, and commitment to a new life.” His sermon was over, but Jesus did not yet know it.
A man had a bag of broken pottery pieces and started to throw them at Jesus. Their curved shapes took them off target in flight and none struck the prophet, and the bag was taken by the disciples, who numbered ten.
The angry shop owners were now in the minority as curious patrons left the businesses to observe the howling man standing on the hide cart. The pub owner who had shoved Jesus was red with rage. His pub was now empty, and his face was boiling and steaming, it seemed as if his head were about to burst. Jesus continued and was now looking and pointing at the people, stopping his finger at the owner.
The man was now smoking, his clothes were actually smoldering from his rage...or from a pipe, or from a coal perhaps. He lunged at the prophet who was out of reach, and burst into flames.
The flaming owner pressed through the crowd, igniting three others. All ran back toward a business or market stall or some other destination, presumably to obtain water. One stopped at a stall to take off his burning clothing, but the clothing stall was now on fire. Two soldiers were dumping an oil lamp on him.
A third area was now burning. Police auxiliaries were now on hand, but greatly outnumbered and of no effect. Jesus had stopped shouting to survey the conflagration with grief. His audience was now dispersing, people ran to the shops to extinguish them, to protect them, or loot them.
Jesus was unable to speak, he could only look in stunned silence. Jesus dismounted the cart, he and the disciples walked away from the street of the damned as it was consumed by fire.
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