An eye for an eye was the code of all people in the desert, but putting a child to death for a curse struck me as cruel beyond measure. Surely Judah would never adhere to these particular laws of his religion.
“This is the Law given by God to Moses,” the Pharisee continued. “And yet Yeshua, who in one sitting insists every law be followed, countermands his own teaching when he says in that same sitting: ‘You have heard that it was said, “Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.” But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.’ ”
Judah had no reply. The contradiction was apparent even to me.
“So you see,” Andrew said, “his words are not easily understood.”
“Surely he does not mean this of Rome,” Judah said. “He is misunderstood. And concerning his talk of the kingdom, he surely means the restoration of the kingdom of Israel here on earth, not merely in spirit or after death.”
To this no one responded.
“Why does he not simply state his purpose? When you ask him, what does he say?”
“That we will not understand yet,” Andrew replied.
“He is a teacher of the moshel, using teachings of wisdom in the tradition of the Merkabah,” the Pharisee offered. “You know of the Merkabah?”
“The desert is full of the whispers of sages. I have heard.”
“Mystics,” Andrew said.
“And what is a mystic, as you understand?” Judah asked the Pharisee.
“One who directly experiences the world of spirit beyond common reason. One who engages through experience that which is mystery.”
“And this is Yeshua? He comes from the Merkabah?”
“No, no. I only say that he speaks in the manner in which they speak. They are masters of wisdom who challenge all with teachings meant to confound the mind, so as to offer a path for the heart to know God beyond the mind. These mystics see with the eyes of the spirit and speak in parables and riddles meant to infuriate a man’s thoughts. They say one is not meant to know the full meaning of their teaching before the mind is unmade and made again.”
“And yet he is surely more than a mystic,” Judah said.
The Pharisee swept away any concern with his hand. “This is only a word. There are those among the Greek who speak in the gnostic way. They say that salvation comes through secret knowledge and that the flesh is evil. They too are mystics, but Yeshua defies their teachings.”
“The gnostic way?” Judah said. “I’ve never heard of such a thing.”
“I only say this because you ask what a mystic is,” the Pharisee said. “The gnostic way is also mystic, and yet Yeshua seems to say that man will find salvation through faith, not through knowledge. And he makes no attempt to shun the flesh, but rather eats with prostitutes and sinners. He loves what is human.”
“And yet you call him a mystic.”
“A new kind, then. His authority cannot be denied. He speaks Gevurah—from the mouth of Spirit. All the teachers of the Law in Jerusalem recognize it, but they say it must come from Beelzebul, not God, for it defies the Law given by Moses.”
“And you?”
“Beelzebul does not restore sight to the blind and speak of being born yet once more, though born already.”
“You see?” Peter said, lifting a hand in exasperation. “What is a fisherman to make of this? Words upon words that mean what they do not mean. Born but not born—it makes my head spin.”
Judah appeared perplexed. The Pharisee regarded him and offered more, but his voice softened, as if he was now sharing a deep secret.
“I went to Yeshua not so long ago in private to ask of these matters, that I might see, because he speaks of a new kind of sight. He told me then that one cannot see the kingdom of God unless he is born—not once—but yet again. The same kingdom that is now among us and within us cannot be seen with human eyes. He said it is like the wind, which cannot be seen, and yet is here, now. Only with new eyes can one see it.”
“Reborn? As a Jew?” Judah pressed.
“Born of spirit, in the world of spirit, which is this kingdom of heaven. As I said, this is the way mystics speak. I believe this is what he means when he speaks of eternal life. Not simply a place in the resurrection, but also a realm within us at present. The eternal has no beginning and no end, you see? It is already. His power comes from this eternal realm. Heaven. And he invites all to follow him.”
“He said this?”
“Not in so many words,” the Pharisee said. “But as I’ve pondered his words, it’s the only explanation that sits with me. Few will find this kingdom within, he says. To do so, one must follow him, because he is the way to the Father. Those who follow him will have this same power as they are birthed into this eternal realm of heaven within.”