Of Such Is The Kingdom, A Novel of Biblical Times in 3 parts

 Portia had trouble finding a way back to Caesarea.  Finally, she gave up and decided to stay in Jerusalem for a while--at least until she could get over Pilate's death.  Thus it was that one morning, as Mary Magdalene was on her way to the market to purchase provisions for the week that she saw a nicely dressed woman, sitting by the side of the road and sobbing.  Mary, filled with compassion, went to the woman and asked, “If you don't mind me asking, what is the matter, ma’am?  Perhaps I can be of help.”

“Oh, no,” Portia sobbed.  “No one can help.  It's my husband.  He killed himself.”

“Oh, you poor dear!  It must have been quite a shock.”

“You can't imagine.  I knew he was disturbed over sentencing him to crucifixion, but I never thought it would go this far.”

“Sentencing who?  If you don't mind me asking—who was your husband?”

“My husband was Pontius Pilate.  He just couldn't get over sentencing that innocent man, Jesus of Nazareth to be crucified.”

“Oh, my poor dear!  It is a pity it had to be your husband, but someone had to do it.”

“What do mean?  Jesus was innocent.  I was even warned about him in a dream.  I told Pilate, and I think he wanted to let him go, but he was too weak and gave in to the Jews!  Then I pushed him to be stronger and he was exiled for being too strong, and, since he had time to think, he couldn't get that Jesus fellow out of his mind and—.  But, what did you mean, someone had to do it?”

“Jesus had to die.  It was all in God's plan.  Don't you see?  He was the son of God and our Messiah.  He was, as you well said, completely innocent, but in His death, He took upon himself all of our sins, so that we can be saved and go to heaven just by accepting Him as our Savior.”

“So you're saying that what my husband did was part of God's plan to bring salvation?”

“I know it must be hard for you to realize, but yes.”

“And you mean that we can be saved for all eternity simply by putting our faith in a dead man?”