Nicodemus looked to Caiaphas the High Priest. He was a Sadducee and naturally corrupt, a weak-willed man who leant on his father-in-law, Ananias, like a dizzy man holds to a wall. He was short and squat, and sat ensnared among vestments glistening with gold thread and studded with gemstones. He stared out from a face full of creases gathered together around a moist nose and two bead-shaped eyes. Upon his head a mitre of great proportions hid the source of thick braids that fell on either side, and met in a neatly oiled beard. Caiaphas stroked this beard fondly with one hand, while the other held a crosier, which every now and again he used to scratch his back.
‘But how many followers could this man have?’ Caiaphas asked his captain.
The man answered, ‘There are thousands and thousands…’
The hall buzzed with conversation and the shaking of mitred heads.
Herod Antipas, sitting on Caiaphas’s other side, nodded in agreement. ‘We have just returned from Callirrhoe, where I was forced to send my troops to quell the disorder.’
There was another swell of whisperings among the judges and those on the flanking benches.
The soldier spoke directly to Caiaphas, ‘We come to ask if we should be baptised by this man, so that the people may take notice of us, and do as we say.’
Herod made a smile. ‘I have already told my men that I see no need for baptism! Particularly since this John the Baptist is an impostor. I met him myself at Ainon! He does not produce miracles nor does he work wonders. He is a hands-breath from being an animal from what I could see for he wears a camel garment that barely covers him and his hair is unkempt and his beard is a tempest of knots! The only thing we can account for is his cleanliness, for he is in the river all day long!’
A round of restrained laughter echoed in the hall.
Nicodemus did not laugh. He looked about and saw that his friends and fellow members of the Sanhedrin, Joseph of Arimathea and Gamaliel, were also serious.
Herod said, ‘He tells all who will hear him that the blood of Abraham is polluted, and must be cleansed!’
There was a chorus of gasps.
Satisfied, he continued, ‘He teaches that priests and Levites are further from God than even a Samaritan!’
A confusion of voices and exclamations broke out, but in the great space where stood the laity there was quiet.
The captain spoke now through this marriage of silence and sound, ‘John the Baptiser was meaning that the goodness of a man does not rely on his station or on his birth, but on his own efforts! That any man can change his heart and see the Messiah!’
But derision and mockery drowned out his words. The judges called out, ‘Blasphemy! Blasphemy! Blasphemy!’
Herod widened his smile from ear to ear. ‘This John the Baptist, also says that he is the forerunner of the Kingdom of God, that he is the forerunner of the Son of Man!’
A quiet descended at the sound of those words. Nicodemus knew why. The Kingdom of God was something that was awaited with fear. The Pharisees feared the Messiah, for they saw him as a priest destined to usher in the end of days and bring about the destruction of the world. Conversely the Sadducees saw him as a mighty king who was set to take over the Sanhedrin and strip them of their power.
To Nicodemus they were both in error. He believed the Son of Man did not have the task of ushering in the judgement of God, nor would his kingdom come to change the world. It would come to change the soul of a man, so that he could judge for himself. For this reason the Baptiser’s words now rang true in his ears.
His friend’s voice interrupted his thoughts. The usually shy and prudent Joseph of Arimathea was standing among his peers and speaking. Nicodemus sat forward to look at him.
‘I have heard that this man has come from the wilderness of Judea like Elijah once came from the wilds of Gilead, and that he bears the same appearance and speaks a similar prophetic message! Should we not hear him before we condemn him?’
‘Our colleague is correct…’ Caiaphas said then. ‘We must send a deputation to find out who this man is, and what is his aim; a deputation of priests and Levites will bring back their findings to this court which will decide on a judgement.’
‘Splendid!’ Herod said brightly. ‘I will offer the delegation the convenience and protection of my own personal guard. My own captain shall guide them.’
Nicodemus was suddenly filled with enthusiasm. Perhaps this man John the Baptist, was a true prophet? If so the Son of Man was near at hand! Could he do less than find out for himself? He stood and all eyes turned to him.
‘I too, will go!’ he said.
28
WISE MEN, RICH MEN AND LEPERS
Jesus walked the road that led from Nazareth to Judea with his feet moving of their own accord and his thoughts vacant in his head.