The Betrayal Read Free

their fields
or labors. God is sure to see our hearts and rush to our aid. Not even the Romans can withstand—”
    â€œWho is your leader?”
    Dysmas and Gestas exchanged a glance, then Dysmas replied, “He calls himself the ‘Son of the Father,’ 9 in much the same way you call yourself the ‘Son of Man.’ You are both God’s prophets who, if you work together, will conquer our enemies and lead Yisrael back to its glory.”
    Yeshu took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He must have been thinking, as Maryam was, that they had gotten down to their true reasons for the meeting much more quickly than he’d thought they would.
    â€œBrothers, are you not afraid that such a move will provoke the Romans to destroy both our city and our nation?”
    â€œOh, they’ll try; but if we join forces, our nation will, as one, stand up and fight. They cannot kill us all.”
    Maryam made a small, frightened sound and protectively folded her arms across her chest. Just above a whisper, she urged, “Do not listen to them, Master. The Romans can and will kill us all. They have proven it many times.”
    Dysmas glared at her. To Yeshu, he said, “What do women know of battle? Nothing. Less than nothing.”
    â€œAnd you, Dysmas, have you seen battle? What about you, Gestas?”
    Both men straightened, as though offended.
    Dysmas replied, “We served as part of the Temple police. While we’ve never been in war, we’ve seen our share of fighting. We’ve also seen the bribery, fraud, and vice that go on in the Temple in the name of religion. Why, High Priest Kaiaphas is the handmaiden of the praefectus! You know it as well as we do. The fool laps the milk of life from a Roman bowl. And it costs us all a pretty sum!”
    The “sum” he referred to was the fee that high priests had to pay to remain in office. High priests were Roman nominees, responsible to Roman authority, and removable by the Romans if they did not pay what the praefectus demanded. The sum provided a lucrative source of private income for anyone who served as praefectus. This fact did not make high priests particularly popular with the average person, especially since they charged “temple fees” to help cover the costs. 10
    Yeshu squinted at the rocky hillside. Somewhere in the distance a dog
barked, and it stirred every other dog in hearing to yip and howl, serenading the night with a melodious chorus.
    In his deep, teaching voice, he said, “Dysmas, I have heard with my own ears the trumpets blare and the noise of rebellion. I have seen with my own eyes the great turmoil that results. I beg you not to do this. Listen to me, and you will be clothed in light and a chariot will bear you aloft. Ignore my words, and this world will pass away before you are prepared.”
    â€œWe didn’t come here to be preached at, Magician! We came to learn your Pesach plans. Will you challenge the Seventy-one, or not?”
    Maryam’s belly muscles went tight. She looked straight at him, waiting for him to say “no,” as he must. Yeshu had subtly been challenging the Council for many months, openly healing on Shabbat, taking food and drink with sinners. But to lead a revolt against them, and by extension Rome, as Yudah of the Galil had done? Horrifying images of gaunt, crucified men with their dead faces twisted in agony filled her thoughts. Maryam rose to her feet, and said, “They need a sacrificial lamb, Master. That’s why they’re here. They’re too cowardly to do it themselves. Let’s go.”
    Rage contorted Dysmas’ face. “Best tell your whore to keep her mouth shut, Magician. She’s very close to—”
    â€œTo me,” Yeshu interrupted. “She’s very close to me. As I wish you were.” He extended one hand to Dysmas and the other to Gestas. “Now, this instant, I challenge you to take my hands and follow