Chapter 13

‘Then the man is divine!’ persisted David. ‘Is that your opinion, sir?’

‘How should I know?’ Little beads of perspiration were dotting the Rabbi’s pale forehead, but the Sadducee continued his inquisition.

‘If he is divine, might he be the promised Messiah?’

‘Many Messiahs have come and gone, my friend. None of them met the requirements of prophecy.’

‘Very true!’ assented David. ‘And each of them had his loyal following, and most of them were honest and fearless men of good intent, like this Jesus. But they all failed of the one great task. According to the prophets, the Messiah would restore the Kingdom to Israel. No one of them could do that.’

Elimelech made no comment, and David went on:

‘Rabbi, how recently have you visited Caesarea?’

‘Never was there in my life. Why do you ask?’

‘Well, if this man has any thought of restoring the Kingdom to Israel he had better set about it with all speed. The Romans are preparing Caesarea as a port of invasion. It will not be long now…Tell me, Rabbi. You have heard this Nazarene speak: has he talked about the Kingdom?’

‘He talks of little else, David,’ said Elimelech quietly.

‘And what does he say?’ David leaned forward attentively. ‘Does this penniless Carpenter expect to withstand a Roman invasion?’

‘The Romans will not invade his Kingdom, David.’

‘I’m afraid I don’t understand, Master.’

‘No,’ sighed the old man, ‘you wouldn’t understand. This man’s Kingdom is his soul. He teaches that our Kingdom is our soul. The Romans cannot take it; nor can they destroy its peace…You should hear him talk, David. Then you might understand.’

With that, David rose to go: he had no mind for further discussion of this sort. Besides, he had tormented the good old man long enough. He moved toward the door.

‘And come and tell me what you think of him, my friend,’ said Elimelech, over his shoulder. ‘The Carpenter may have a surprise in store for you.’

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