The Upper Room

They regarded me with suspicion.  Hard eyes, red-rimmed and damp.  Yiskah squeezed my hand. “I know now that I was wrong.” Stony silence and a few raised eyebrows. “I was wrong, and Caiaphas might kill me for coming here and saying so.” Peter sighed. “But I saw it in his eyes on the cross.  Just…

At Emmaus

Simon blinked. Blinked again. Rubbed his eyes. Shook his head. Reached out to touch Jesus. But Jesus was not there. The bread in Simon’s hand fell onto the table.  He turned to Cleopas. Cleopas mouth sat agape like a gasping fish. Then words boiled from their mouths in unison as they realized that the man…

Preparation

Joseph found me at the end of the Sabbath.  Gave me aloes and balsam and cloth.  Told me where to find the tomb. I was unmoved as I blended the oils and spices together.  When it had been Lazarus, I had wept so bitterly I almost ruined the ointment with tears. Sleep did not find…

Crucifixion

The sun was covered.  And the light drew away like the hour after it slips beyond the horizon.  I could only just see him, but I could see it coming.  His head dropped lower and lower.  Blood dried in streams on his arms which cracked as he tried to lift himself to take air.  His…

On the Steps

My heart soared.  We would show what would happen to a false prophet. Benjamin brought the cross.  I held the elbows of the condemned tightly, though he made no move to escape. An elder man with skin the color of ash walked past our procession.  Benjamin grabbed him and pressed the cross to him to…

Questioned

He was held by his elbow.  He made no move to escape. They threw him down before me. “This man claims to be Messiah.  He is a threat to Rome.” “He cured on the sabbath!” Said one. “He eats with sinners,” Another. “He said not to pay taxes!” Another still And on and on until…

His Eyes

Benjamin now took his turn.  Again, the teacher’s answer was slippery.  Practiced.  Full of double meaning and single intent: to confuse.  The air grew thick in the weight of unasked questions. His eyes landed on mine again.  I saw the smile at the edges again. And I felt the bile within me, choking my breath…

Render Unto

It was Caiaphas who called me.  Pulled me aside in the temple.  “You and followers will go to the one called Jesus.  Go as though you are friends.  Trap him in blasphemy.  Find a reason to accuse him.” And I happily went. He stood in the square, teaching.  I and the others approached.  “Teacher,” I…

Learning at the Temple

At the end of the day, I paid the chief priests.  Packed up my wares.  Shuffled out of the temple.  The moon hung low in the sky.  A good day.  A strange man had been there.  Questioning our very existence.  How else to provide for my family? The next morning, I set up early.  Before…