Crossing Paths 32 C.E.

CROSSSING PATHS 32 C.E.

My name is Marcellos Glaucia. I am chief scribe and frequent interpreter for the great Roman General Felix Antoninus Gaius. I write of the encounter between General Gaius and the prophet Jesus of Nazareth during the summer of 32 CE. Aides to the General and one of Jesus’ men provided me with information needed to present this account in its entirety when I was not present.

The blazing sun scorched the dry earth as five travelers stumbled forward on the rudimentary dusty road which was more like a path. The five were going to the village of Tyre to visit an ill friend. The mid-afternoon heat of the day had a desiccating effect on every living thing, including the travelers.

“How far, Master, until we reach Tyre?” asked one of the weary men.

“We will not make it until after nightfall,” a second man said with a raspy voice. “I don’t like this part of our journey. It’s dangerous.”

“Take heart. Let’s rest in the shade of those rocks over there,” the leader said. “We’ll share the water and bread and a prayer for strength. There is a well where we are going and we can have all the water and food we need there.”

The men hurried to the shade and plopped down to rest. Jesus took a seat and offered the men warm, but refreshing water contained in a leather pouch. After each man had drunk, Jesus took his turn. He looked at his fellow travelers. There were James, Levi, Shimon and Mazarth. The latter two being natives from the village where they were heading.

The shade provided a little relief from the oppressive heat. Soon all were asleep dreaming of the end of their journey. At the first hint of dusk, the dreams turned into a nightmare.

“They’re over here!”

The shout came from behind the group of boulders. Several men emerged. All had scraggily beards and a few had missing teeth. Their worn clothes needed repair or replacement. Most worrying for Jesus’ group was that they carried fearsome looking knives and clubs made of iron and wood.

Shimon rose to meet the threat and immediately received a blow to his head by a club wielded by the rogue leader.

“Stop!” Jesus ran to the fallen Shimon and knelt beside him.

The rogue leader raised his club, but withheld striking Jesus or Shimon, for the moment. The other bandits ran over and pulled James, Levi and Marzath up by their hair, along with Jesus and Shimon, and roughly pushed the five with their backs against the largest boulder.

“Who’s you leader?” The largest bandit growled.

“I am,” Jesus said.

“We want your coin, clothes and everything else of value to us.” The leader looked at the five men incredulously. “You carry no weapons. You are fools! Don’t you know this is a wicked place?”

“We have no need for weapons,” Jesus replied.

“Ha!” the bandit leader laughed. “Get their coin and start with him.” The bandit leader poked a dirty finger at Jesus.

The search for valuables quickly ended. One of the bandits spoke dejectedly, “These three have nothing, except the clothes on their backs.” The man pointed to Jesus, James and Levi. But these two are offering us coin and leather goods if we leave them alone.”

“Take it all and line them up. We know people who could use you as slaves, although, none of you seem capable to do a man’s work.”

The robbers pressed forward threatening and insulting their prisoners with weapons held high. A “swoosh” was heard above the yelling. A javelin pierced the upper back of the bandit leader. An arrow hit another of the rogues in the neck. Within seconds several Roman soldiers appeared and engaged the thieves. The skirmish ended quickly as the robbers were soundly defeated. Eleven of them had been killed, two escaped and two were taken hostage.

Jesus’s group and the Romans remained unscathed during the fight.

Afterwards, a Roman officer approached Jesus and his men. “Tell me what happened here,” the officer asked.

James recounted the encounter with the bandits.

“We’ve been following this band of outlaws. They are a thieving lot. You’re fortunate we came when we did. They would have killed you or let you run around naked,” the Roman said.

The officer walked over to the tethered two surviving robbers. “I’d execute you now, but the general would not approve. But he will.”

Turning back to Jesus’ group, he said, “You’re Jews aren’t you? Hmmm, a few of your kind ambushed my friend and left him for dead. So, I’m not fond of you either.”

“Can we go now?” Levi boldly asked.

“No, you will wait here under guard, until the general arrives. He will decide you fate.”

The sun began to set behind the hills when a large column of Roman soldiers marched near where the Roman officer, Jesus and his comrades, and the two prisoners waited. Depending on the point of view, the arrival of the armored legion with its shiny uniforms and precision formations under the setting sun was both splendid and terrifying. None of Jesus’ party had ever seen such a sight.

An order was shouted and the column stopped and prepared camp. A man came into Jesus’ area and prepared a fire. Jesus and his men were told to sit. The two bandits were guarded, and led away from the fire. Darkness and cool temperatures settled in. A rustling of soldiers could be heard nearing Jesus’ small encampment.

A man of average height, but muscular and wearing a Roman uniform, unlike the other soldiers, followed by several men carrying spears entered the Jesus’ makeshift camp. He had a short cropped salt and pepper beard and wore a helmet with a large red plume. He had searching eyes and a strong baritone voice.

“Do you have food and water?” The Roman said abruptly to Jesus’ group.

Levi shook his head negatively. The Roman turned around and spoke to someone Jesus’s group could not see. That was me.

“You will.” The Roman stared at Jesus’ little group. No one knew what would come next although minds were spinning.

“I’m General Felix Antoninus Gaius, General of this legion and servant of Rome and the Emperor Tiberius. Tell me what happened here.”

Shimon recounted the events leading up to and including the Roman intervention.

“I see,” General Gaius said. You’re either brave or foolish. I’ll say the latter. This road you’re on is very dangerous. Full of outlaws and thieves and you are a small group with no weapons. You are pathetic lot.

No one from Jesus’ group spoke.

The General continued. “If I hadn’t been here, you would be dead or slaves. I’m convinced of that.”

“God would have protected us,” Jesus said quietly.

“No,” General Gaius said sharply. “I saved you.”

“And it was God who sent you to here to save us.”

The General sat back, cocked his head to the right and asked looking at Jesus said. “Who are you?”

“He is Jesus of Nazareth, son of Man.” James interrupted.

“I don’t recall asking you.” The General’s harsh tone caused James to shrink back into the shadows.

“Yes, I’m Jesus, like my friend said.” Jesus did not flinch or change his tone.

“Are you the leader of this sorry group?”

“You can say I am.”

A Roman spoke to General Gaius while the General stared hard at Jesus.

“Food and drink is here for you and your men. I must leave, but I will return.”

Servants offered food and water to Jesus and his group. They were reluctant to accept it.

“Do you think I would poison you,” the General laughed. He reached for a piece of bread from one of the plates and ate it. “You don’t know me,” he continued to laugh as he left Jesus.

A short time later, several men appeared. They took the plates from Jesus’ group and offered more wine, which was accepted. More wood was added to the fire in front of them. As they warmed, General Gaius returned as he said he would, again with the soldiers carrying long spears. “You four,” Gaius pointed to Jesus’ men, leave us. Go with my soldiers.”

Concern spread among James, Levi and the other two men.

Gaius saw the reluctance, glanced at Jesus and said, “No harm will come to any of you. You are under my personal protection. Centurion Quintas will look after you. I want to talk to your leader, Jesus.”

Jesus’ men left hesitantly with Quintas’ guard. Gaius sat down opposite of Jesus by a rekindled fire. “I give you my word no harm will come to you or your men.”

Jesus noticed Gaius did not carry a weapon. No Romans were present besides me.

“I’ve heard of you, Jesus of Nazareth. Some say you are a rebel and enemy of the Jewish establishments and of Rome. Is that true?”

“I do not fit in norms of what people expect. I am not a rebel in the sense of what you think. I try and convince people to turn away from the State whether it is Rome or the rigid rule of the Pharisees and to accept the true God.”

“I’ve also heard you are the son of God. If that is true, you must be a God, yourself. I don’t see a God sitting across from me. Are you really a god? Could you kill me with a wave of your hand?”

“I would not harm you.”

The General continued, “If I took a knife and cut you, would you bleed?”

“I would bleed.”

“I don’t understand you. Gods don’t bleed. And if you were a god, you wouldn’t have allowed those thieves to assault you. You would have vanquished them with a breath.”

“I do not work like that.” Jesus shifted the subject. “What do you believe in? Do you believe in God, General?”

“What God are you referring to? The Jewish God? No, I certainly don’t. Pagan Gods? No. You? No.” Gaius chuckled. “Or a bunch of mythological animals running around in the forest as gods, or spirits hiding in wells or gods sitting on mythical mountains? No, I don’t believe in any of that nonsense.”

“What about the Roman Gods?” You are a Roman military general. I think Mars, the God of War, is something you’d believe in.”

“I suppose I should answer, yes.” Gaius took his eyes from Jesus, picked up a thick stick lying nearby and poked the fire. A string of embers advanced into the air and disappeared.

His next words surprised Jesus. “Our lives are like those embers, they flash brightly and then they are gone. Some of those I have fought have their god of war. Which god or gods are the victors? I’ve seen much death and war so let me answer your question, No, I don’t believe in any god. There is no god, just one people trying to dominate another by force. And the just force - is Rome’s.”

Jesus replied, “There is the one true God. He reigns in heaven. That is my Father.”

“If you are the Son of God, then you must reign in heaven also. So, why are you here amongst us living this pitiful life? And you bleed too. Who is in this heaven, Jesus?”

“True believers of the Word, the Word of God.”

“I don’t know what that means. What is the Word of God?”

“I speak God’s Word.”

“This is fantasy. You’re supposedly the Son of God who runs around the country unarmed begging to be killed. If you should die, then who would spread your Word of God? I doubt the four men you travel with could.”

“They are like seeds, General Gaius. They will grow and their seeds will spread and my beliefs and teachings will multiply. The people will come to know the truth.”

“A little too much multiplying will end badly for you. Right now you are a seed, as you say, basically anonymous. If you become a tree, you will attract attention – the wrong kind of attention. And your tree will be burned and your seed will be squashed under foot.”

“On the contrary, the more attention we attract, the better. Spreading the Word of God is my priority. My seeds will spread no matter the resistance.”

General Gaius sat still trying to comprehend what Jesus had said. “I still think you would want to attract less attention.”

“Have you killed, General Gaius?”

“That is a question you should not ask me. I will not give you an answer. Do not press me on it or ask it again!”

The General’s hard stare returned. “Instead, I will ask you, Jesus, a question, I have heard that your beliefs involve loving your neighbors just like you love yourself?”

“Yes, that is true.”

“And you advocate turning the other cheek when you’re struck. That is ill considered. You’re begging for a second blow, perhaps a death blow.”

“That is what I believe and it is what I teach. Peace is what we must pursue. Peace among man is the ultimate goal.”

Gaius leaned forward, “I did not see you turning the other cheek or embracing the robbers that attacked you today. Do you think my fellow soldiers should have embraced the Germanic barbarians in the Teutoburg Forest as they were being slaughtered? Should I embrace the Persians and all the other barbarians we must conquer or be conquered?” What you say to me is an ideal, an ideal that does not exist in the real world.”

“Someday it will, General. I am patient.”

“As we speak of barbarians, what should I do with the two men we captured who were trying to kill you? It is in my purview to execute them for assaulting citizens of Rome. You and your men are citizens?”

Jesus didn’t answer the question. Instead, he said, “I forgive them. They are desperate in need of help. Look at their clothes.”

“Should I forgive them for trying to steal? For trying to kill? I know enough of the Jewish law that it says, ‘thou shalt no steal’ or ‘kill.’ So, you would forgive them? Forgive them! Ha! I think execution is more appropriate. Then they can’t harm other travelers, like you today. But in deference to you, I will think on it.”

Gaius poked the fire again. “Who’s is eligible to gain your forgiveness?”

“All of humanity is subject to forgiveness.”

“Even soldiers at war? I must remind you that it’s Rome’s law and order that allows you to wander around these hills. And it was Rome’s soldiers that saved you and your men. You are a brave, but foolish man to forgive the robbers.” He paused and said something that stunned Jesus, “Perhaps you could forgive me.”

For the briefest on instants, Jesus saw Gaius’ eyes soften.

“Do you have a family, General Gaius?”

“The Army is my family.” Gaius turned wistful. “Yes, I have a family, a wife, a son and two daughters. I don’t see them often. Hopefully, I will by the end of summer.”

“You will, General.”

Gaius stared at Jesus, but his mind was elsewhere.

A Roman officer appeared next to Gaius and his face resumed its hardened features.

“I must leave you now, Jesus of Nazareth. I have things to attend to and then I must get some sleep, if only for a little time. We both must keep one eye open as there are enemies inside and outside our camps.”

Gaius with the Roman officer left Jesus. In short order, his four followers returned. They were relieved that nothing ill had happened to Jesus and to them.

“What did you and the Roman General talk about?” James asked. “Does he believe in what you say?

Will he come with us?” Shimon pushed up ahead of James.

Jesus chuckled, “Gaius is an intelligent man. No, he will go his way with his legion to his destiny as we will go to ours. Now rest tomorrow will be a good day.”

Dawn had barely begun to shake away the night’s darkness. Jesus was awake staring out as his followers slept. The Roman army was up and on the move headed northward. General Gaius moved in front of Jesus, this time with his sword held in the sheath.

“We must part ways now, Jesus. My Legion has been summoned to Thrace. And you will go to your village.”

“Thank you for the kindness that you showed to me and my men,” Jesus said.

I’m leaving a detachment to make sure you safely reach your village.”

“That won’t be necessary, we can manage our destination.”

“That wasn’t a question. It’s what I command. And I did not say the village was to be your destination, your final destination, did I.”

General Giaus was given his helmet by an aide and his horse was brought to him.

“I will not execute the two robbers. I’ve decided to give them to you. They are your responsibility from now on. I hope your Word and forgiveness can turn their lives around. Any more criminal behavior by them and they will die. Good fortune, Jesus of Nazareth.”

General Gaius mounted his horse and rode off to join his legion.

An aide riding alongside him asked, “What an odd man, this Jesus. How much longer do you think he will live?

“Not long,” the General replied. “He promotes ideas with hope and promise. Others in power will consider them heresy and threats to their way of life and he will die for his beliefs. He believes that what he teaches will become accepted in the future. Perhaps it will.”

As General Gaius rode away, freshly awakened Levi asked Jesus. “What do you make of him?”

“He is a Roman with a strong moral side. But he is a soldier who carries a sword. He will die with the sword.”

One year later, both men were dead and enjoying the afterlife that was awarded to them.

Your servant,

Marcellos Glaucia

THE END