Of Such Is The Kingdom Part I—Discontent and Insurrection

“You’re late again!” complained his wife.  “Another last minute customer?”

“That’s right, dear.”  That was all he would say for then.

After the usual foot washing, the meal and the putting of the children to bed, he and his wife sat and talked.  Now was the time, he thought.  He’d might as well get it over with.

“Uh, Deborah, dear, I lied to you earlier this evening when I said I had a last minute customer at the shop. I wasn’t at the shop.”

“Really, dear?  And where were you?  With another woman?”

“Deborah!  You know me better than that! You know you’re th’ only one for me!”

“Of course I do, big man!  I was just joking.  But where were you?”

“Well, dear, please don't be upset.  I’ve formed a group of men who are also dissatisfied with the government, and we we’re making plans to form an insurrection against Pilate.”  His heart pounded.  Now it was out.

“So it has finally come to this! I was somewhat afraid of something like this.  But why, Barabbas?  Why can’t you let well enough alone?  We really don’t have it so terribly bad do we?”

“It’s bad enough!  And it’s bound to get worse.  But, we’ve been through all this before.  You know how I feel.”

“Yes, and you know how I feel.  Oh, Barabbas, I wish you wouldn’t!”

“It’s too late for that now.  We’ve already made our plans.  And I’m the leader. I couldn’t back out now if I wanted to.  But anyway why should I?  How much longer can we just sit back and take these injustices?  You should be able to see that it’s getting worse all the time.  Are we supposed to just sit back and wait until they’ve squeezed all the life out of us?”

She thought for a moment.  “Well, now that you’ve put it that way, perhaps you’re right.  Perhaps, despite the danger, something should be done.”

“Now you’re talkin’, Deborah dear.”

“O’ Barabbas!” She kissed him.  “I just don’t want anything to happen to you. I don’t know what I’d do if it did!”

He held her hand.  “Don’t worry.  Nothing’s gonna happen to me.  We’ve got everything planned out.  And with your prayers, we’re sure to succeed.”

She sat silently for a moment and then asked, “But, why Pilate?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean why not start with Herod?  He’s just as much a tyrant as Pilate, and in a higher position.”

“Well, we have to start somewhere don’t we?  And he’s the most immediate threat, with this tax situation.  Anyway, once we succeed in overthrowing Pilate and get more people to realize that it can be done, then we will be ready to take on Herod, and then perhaps even Caesar.  Yes, we’ll rid the world of all these tyrants and establish a new kind of government.”

“A new kind of government?”

“Yes.  Government by the people.  I’m already forming some ideas about it in my mind.  I’ll have to put them down in writing.”

“Oh, Barabbas, Barabbas!  You’re too much!  Sometimes I think I’m crazy for it, but I love you to death.”  And once more their lips met. Mmm!”