Philochristus: Memoirs of a Disciple of the LordAbbott, Edwin Abbott
Religion
Philochristus: Memoirs of a Disciple of the Lord
Abbott, Edwin Abbott
Christian fiction; Jesus Christ -- Fiction
Then I asked how soon they had received tidings of John’s death, and he
said “Yesterday a little before sunset.” I marvelled how the news should
have been brought past the Thracians; for, said I, “they stayed all
travellers from Tiberias, neither suffered they any to pass them.” But
Baruch said that James the son of Judas had contrived that lights should
be held up each night from Gamala on the other side of the lake, to the
intent that the Galileans in Capernaum might know how John fared; and one
light should signify that the Prophet lived, but two lights that he lived
not. “And,” said Baruch, “yestereven before the sun went down, many of the
Galileans had gathered together by twos or by threes upon the strand to
watch for the signal. And first one light appeared, as was usual; and the
men said that it was well, for they had one more day wherein to labour for
the Prophet’s deliverance. But then Barabbas cried out that there were two
lights; and at first no man would believe it, for (because the sun had not
yet set) the lights were not plain to see. But presently Judas also saw
the second light, and then they all saw it. Hereupon arose a loud
lamentation, and the news spread at once through all the city, and the
women began to wail, and the men rushed forth into the streets, and there
was a great gathering. Presently with one consent the multitude ran
together to the door of the house where Jesus lodged; and first Barabbas
went in to ask Jesus to be leader of the host, but soon he came forth
again, saying that Jesus would not. Then went in James the son of Judas,
saying that he would beseech Jesus in the name of his father, who had
fought and died for Israel. With James there went in also three others of
the eldest and most reverend of the Galileans, and they remained in the
house longer, so that the people thought they had prevailed upon Jesus;
and there was a great expectation. But when the elders came out, they
showed by their countenances that they had not prevailed.
“Then there was much clamour; and the greater part cried out that they
would not depart from before the threshold of Jesus till they had
persuaded Jesus to be leader of the host; and some cried out to draw him
forth by violence and to make him leader of the host. But immediately the
door opened, and Jesus himself came forth. Then they no more talked of
violence; but Barabbas and others of the armed men held out their right
hands to him, and promised to give up their lives for his sake if he would
be their king. Others fell down on their knees before him; and some caught
him by the garment to have stayed him. Only James the son of Judas said
nothing; and it seemed to me,” said Baruch, “that at the sight of James,
Jesus was more moved than by all the rest. Howbeit he halted not, but
moved straight down to the beach.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account