Final Confrontation (7 page)

Gabriel and Michael walked alongside Crispin after the class broke up. They had enjoyed being back with their old teacher who had taught them so well. As they walked along they recounted the discussion from the class, taking note of the angels’ curiosity regarding the freedom of humans to rebel against a God who so dearly loved them.

“I don’t think angels have good memories,” snorted Crispin as they walked along the great street that led away from the Academy and toward the Grand Square. Several angels noticed Michael and Gabriel as they passed by, nodding to them courteously. “These in Heaven who are about to be assigned to earth—they are all too eager to complain about the willful rebellion of men and forget it was one of their own who began it all in the first place!”

They came to a place where a garden opened up to the Pavilion of Worship to the Most High, a great domed structure angels frequented in times of praise and worship to the holiness of the Lord. Several groups of angels were moving in and out of the building. Crispin settled down on a large rock near a beautiful grotto. Gabriel and Michael joined him.

“At least they were eager to learn,” offered Gabriel. “They were certainly interested in the Mary and Joseph visitations.”

“They are always interested in the dramatic,” said Crispin. “I’m afraid some of our angels simply want the big battles—the final bout with the dragon—that sort of thing. They don’t appreciate that most of the ministry of angels on earth is done in secret.”

“They’ll have their battles,” said Michael, thinking ahead to the day when they must once more face Lucifer. “Now that the Child has been born, they will do whatever they can to destroy Him.”

“Foolishness,” said Crispin. “To think they actually believe they can defeat the Lord’s plan. Being human, though, I suppose there is the appearance of vulnerability.”

Gabriel and Michael looked at each other.

“You mean the Christ could be killed?” asked Michael. “His life might be taken away from Him?”

“Yes,” said Crispin. “The Christ could die.”

“How can God die?” Gabriel asked. “It makes no sense.”

“You forget this is God in human form,” said Crispin. “Thus, like any human, He could die. However, I see no real chance of that happening. I know Lucifer would like to see the Child destroyed. But why should the One who has come to save the world need to die?”

The Antonia was Herod’s fortress overlooking the Temple complex. Named in honor of his friend Mark Antony, the Antonia, with its impressive towers, served as a visible reminder that law and order would prevail in a city fraught with religious fervor. Its proximity to the most sacred site in Jerusalem was not an accident. Herod’s rule might be cruel, but it was tidy.

He had decided to receive his guests at the Hasmonean Palace, a short distance away. It was a grand palace and fitting for royal politics. The three guests had been invited to the royal baths and were now in their quarters awaiting the audience. “Show them some of our Judean hospitality,” Herod had ordered.

Herod paced the floor, looking over a model of the city that had been a gift to him by his favorite architect. He stared at the scale replica of the various palaces and buildings he had erected and smiled to himself at his accomplishment. But far and above any other structure was the Temple—it was to dominate the city and would be Herod’s monument to himself which would outlast even Rome.

He summoned his aide.

“Order my conveyance to the Hasmonean,” he said. “We shall entertain our guests and satisfy our curiosity.”

“Yes, O king,” said the aide, bowing his head.

“And be sure all of my counselors are in attendance,” he added. “These men are magi. It might do well for some of our own sages to see what real wisdom looks like.”

The aide gave a knowing smile.

“It will be so ordered.”

“Poor Herod,” said Kara. “He is a study in human depravity.”

Lucifer nodded his head in agreement as they watched Herod enter his sedan chair. He had apparently ordered his guard doubled, a result of the earlier incident near the Temple site. Now he looked splendid in his royal robes, worn when receiving important visitors.

“Human fear motivates all sorts of unruly behavior,” agreed Pellecus. “It works to our greatest advantage.”

“Herod certainly has worked out well,” admitted Kara. “We have been able to orchestrate his fears in the most marvelous ways. And I must admit, Pellecus, the Roman strategy has been grand. Your study of the Roman mind has been impressive.”

“The Romans are useful tools,” said Pellecus. “Easily led either through devotion to their gods or love of self. The Romans desire power. All I did was guide a few of the more ambitious families in Rome—they did the rest themselves.”

“Herod’s compliance was a gift as well,” said Kara. “His paranoia has been challenging as well as amusing. To think the ruling family of the people of God is steeped in such political mischief and murder. Having his sons killed was one thing. But he was madly in love with Miriamne—so much so he became insanely jealous. I think her death was the most amusing of all.”

“Murderous politics and religious fervor,” mused Pellecus. “A powerful and intoxicating stimulus among men.” Pellecus assumed his lecturing posture. “That these creatures are incurably religious cannot be denied, for indeed, wherever humans have managed to create some semblance of society, they have also managed some semblance of religion. Stone gods, wood gods, gods of the sea and gods of the forest, male gods and female gods, gods that demand bloody homage and gods that require simple ceremony—all of these and many more have been wrought in the minds and hearts of willing men. And when they become the religion of state it places an entire nation at our disposal!”

“Yes,” said Lucifer, “as long as that nation continues to drift from the truth. But we have congratulated ourselves enough for now. True, Kara, Herod has been quite a trophy for us—at least in keeping the people subjected to his authority. But he will be dead soon. And there will be another king…always another.”

“And we will manage him as well,” said Kara. “Herod is only one of many. I think we have become quite adept at bringing humans along.”

“Humans are one thing,” snapped Lucifer. “But you are forgetting that there is now One born among these men whose humanity cloaks something far deadlier.”

“Ah, the Son of Joseph and Mary,” said Kara “Little Jesus.”

“The Son of the Most High!” retorted Lucifer. “In your eagerness to play with Rome and Jerusalem, you seem to have forgotten our supreme enemy now lives within the very kingdom you and Pellecus so proudly manage.”

“He’s a Child who shows no signs of heavenly virtue,” said Kara. “I have had Him watched since the day He was born. He acts like a normal, human baby boy.”

“That’s because He is a human,” said Lucifer.

Pellecus, who had already understood Lucifer’s thinking in the matter of Jesus, began to speak.

“Don’t you see?” Pellecus asked. “The Seed of Eve comes to avenge her. Of course He is a normal enough Boy—for now. But He will grow up one day. Kara, you were there the night He was born. Thousands of the Host were gathered around Him. The prophet said Bethlehem was to be the place. The nightmare has occurred. Jesus is the One we have been looking to destroy all these years. And destroy Him we must.”

“This is the brilliance of the Lord,” said Lucifer. “The Son of God cloaked in the robes of humanity. When He becomes an adult He shall become our greatest threat.” He made a wry smile and added, “Provided He lives to adulthood.”

As they were speaking, Rugio appeared and took Lucifer aside. The other two angels watched as Lucifer’s face brightened upon the words being told him by his chief warrior. He said “Well done, Rugio” and looked at Kara and Pellecus.

“It seems that Rugio’s spies have discerned something interesting about the guests Herod intends to interview,” Lucifer said. “Something that might justify your correct assertion that the Child must die.”

“Really, lord?” said Pellecus. “And what do these wise men from the east bring to us that we could not discern ourselves?”

Lucifer smiled.

“They have been following that star,” he said, looking up at the evening sky where the star hung over the city. “The star that has persisted these many months since the Child’s birth; the star that has been a grim reminder, a death knell to lovers of freedom and the sure sign of an unfolding prophecy ushering in the era of the Christ.”

Kara and Pellecus joined him as they all looked up at the early evening sky where the star shone over the region. All of them shuddered at the thought of the Lord’s words in Eden beginning to manifest: The Seed of the woman would one day crush the head of the serpent.

“But take heart, brothers,” Lucifer added, as the magi were being introduced to Herod. “The star, perhaps, shines in different ways.”

My prince?” inquired Pellecus.

“One prophecy fulfilled, Pellecus,” remarked Lucifer. “The Child has been born and this star has gloriously proclaimed His birth to men who have sought to worship Him. Now perhaps this same star will reveal something menacing to others who would be interested in the birth of a King.” He glanced toward Herod. “Particularly another king!”

“Welcome to my kingdom,” said Herod with a sweep of his hand in a magnanimous gesture. “I hope you have been well attended to?”

The magi stood uneasily before Herod. His reception hall was a mixture of Roman splendor and traditional Greek décor with a few Hebrew motifs thrown in. The couriers who fawned upon the old king stood to his left suspiciously eyeing the visitors. A scribe was writing down every word that was spoken.

“Yes, my lord,” spoke Caspar. “We have been very well attended. Many thanks for your gracious hospitality.”

“How very gratifying,” said Herod. “Please sit and refresh yourselves.”

Attendants brought in three sumptuous chairs, plumed with peacock feathers and gold braid. The three guests sat down.

“Wine perhaps?” asked Herod. “It’s a Babylonian variety. Quite refreshing.”

“Thank you, no, majesty” said Melchior. “Our business will take us from your hospitality tonight.”

“Oh?” said Herod, as he took a goblet from a steward. “Such a shame. And what is your business with me? What is it that I might be able to help you with?”

“Something wonderful, my king,” began Caspar. His face lit up as he began recounting the tale that had bound the three magi together for so long.

“We are all from the east, King Herod. All of us are skilled in the arts of divination and astrology. We are conjurers and seers, and have often served our own sovereigns in these regards. We realize these practices are abhorrent to Jews, but in our country it is a way we communicate with our gods and prophecy the future.”

“Yes, I know all about you,” said Herod. “My guards questioned your servants. You are quite renowned in your own country. But your mission is still a mystery. What brings you to Jerusalem?”

Caspar stood to speak.

“The star, majesty.”

“The star?” asked Herod, amused.

Laughter echoed through the room..

“Yes, O king. The star that recently appeared in your sky.”