Of Such Is The Kingdom Part I—Discontent and Insurrection

“ALRIGHT, MEN, LET’S go over it one more time.”

“First we enter with the rest of the crowd and mingle.”

“Then, after five minutes, Simeon, Craciaus, Laconius, and I spread out and go swiftly but quietly to the four guard positions.  We knock out the four guards at the same time, before they know what hit ‘em.”

“We’ll have to rehearse our walk to be sure it’s quick and quiet.”

“We shall indeed.  And then, what next?”

“Why, we rejoin the rest of you guys.”

“And?”

“And we begin marching forward shouting: ‘Down with this tyrant!’, ‘Down with this rotten government,’ and th’ like.”

“At which time, we also brandish our weapons from under our garments.”

“And move in for th’ kill.”

“Excellent, men, excellent!”  Barabbas smiled proudly.  “You’ve got it down real well.  Now we just have to practice the details, such as the walk, already mentioned, and the use of our weapons, and we’ll be ready.”

“Won’t it be great though to be rid of that tyrant?”

“Then we can concentrate on the other tyrant, Herod, and then the big one, Caesar.”

“But at least we won’t have to worry about those damn local taxes which Pilate is always handing down.”

“Keeps gettin’ worse and worse all th’ time.”

“Just think what we could do if we didn’t have to pay those stupid taxes.”

“If I didn’t have t’ pay them taxes, I might be able t’ get me a new plow and oxen t’ better work my farm.”

“My wife’s been wantin’ a new dress for a long time, but ‘causa them taxes we hadn’t been able t’ afford it.”

“If I didn’t have t’ pay taxes, I might be able t’ trade my tired old nag in on a fresh new ridin’ horse.”

Barabbas tapped on the table to get their attention.  “Well, fellows, I’m sure we could all benefit in one way or another from not having to pay those terrible taxes.  But that’s not the only thing we’re fightin’ for, is it?”

“Why, no!  We’re fightin’ against every form of oppression which this government is imposin’ upon us.”

“That’s right! We’ll replace tyranny with the rule of the people.”

“Justice, liberty and equality shall prevail!”

Barabbas was quite proud of the resolve and dedication of his men. He cleared his throat to speak. “Gentlemen, I’m convinced that ours is the greatest cause on earth.  We must win because of the nature of our cause.  Surely the LORD God will be on our side and help us as He has our forefathers.”

“Oh, I’m sure he will, Barabbas.  But we must be sure to do our part perfectly as well.  As you said, we need practice.”

“And we shall have it.”

“We could use more men as well.”

“You’re absolutely right.”  Barabbas rose to his feet and cleared his throat again.  “Gentlemen, I’ve come to a decision.  Since, as we have said, our cause is the greatest thing there is, I’m going to sell my blacksmith shop and devote all my time and energy to the cause.”

“Barabbas!  That’s quite a sacrifice on your part.”

“Oh, I’m sure it will be worth it in the end.”

“What do you think your wife will say?”

“Deborah?”  He shrugged.  “Oh, she’ll just have to accept it, that’s all.”

************

“YOU’RE GOING TO WHAT?!  Now, Barabbas, you get ahold of yourself!”

“But, Deborah, dear, I’m sure I can get a good price for the shop.”

“Maybe and maybe not.  But even if you do, what’ll happen when that money runs out, which it will, eventually.  Who’s going to take care of me and th’ children?  Or hadn’t you thought of that? I didn’t say too much when you told me you started these meetings and these plans even though you know I’m really not for it.  But, for you to quit your business and spend all your time in that insurrection stuff—-  Come on, now Barabbas!  Where’s your head?  I mean it’s bad enough you’re in it to begin with– comin' home late, probably closin' up early to get to those meetings, not sleepin' half th’ time for planning strategies, and talkin' about nothing else!  But this would be the last straw!  Yes, sir, Barabbas!  I love you, but if you even attempt somethin’ like this, I’m leaving! – going back to Momma!  Do you hear me?”

“Well, alright, darling. It was just a thought.”

************

MEANWHILE, IN ANOTHER part of the city, plans of another sort were being discussed by another couple:

“Sarah, darling, I was thinking– don’t you think it would be a good idea to expand the shop?  You know, pull down the walls in order to make room for more products?”

“But, why, Benjamin, dear?  We have everything we need.”

“But we could have more of it and better.”

“Dear, Benjamin!  Aren’t you satisfied?”

“Well, I’ve been satisfied till now.  But, I was just thinking, what about insuring the best education for all the children?  Are you quite sure there’s enough for that?”

“Well, perhaps not, now that I think about it.”

“Darling, don’t you see, for my family, I want nothing but the best.”

The next day at his shop, a customer examining a fancy fabric noted, “This is quite a piece of fabric, Benjamin.”

“Nothing but the best, Aaron,” he replied.

“How much is it?”

“Eighty shekels.”

“I suppose it’s worth it.  Here.”

Taking the money, the proud shop owner added, “Oh, by the way, Aaron, I’m planning to expand my shop to add several new lines.  I’ll probably stock sandals also, but only the best – nothing but the best.”

“Very good, Benjamin.  I’ll look forward to that.”

While Benjamin had been talking, another customer had entered.  He cleared his throat and said: “Ah, good afternoon, Benjamin.”

“Well, good afternoon, Felix.  What can I do for you?”

“Some o’ that yarn, I suppose.”  As Benjamin turned to get the yarn, Felix asked, “But how about what happened at Justus’ wedding the other day?”

The first customer was almost out of the door when he perked up his ears and decided to return and hear what the man would say.

“Happened?” queried Benjamin.  “I was not aware that anything out of the ordinary happened at Justus’ wedding. I heard it was really nice.  But I couldn’t go, unfortunately. I had some unexpected orders to take care of. But, tell me, what happened?”

“Yes, what happened?” asked the first customer.  “I’m interested also as I too could not attend.”

“Well, they ran out of wine.”

“So, is that anything so unusual for a wedding of that size?” asked Benjamin.

“No, but what happened next is.”

“Well, tell us, Felix.  We’re dying to hear it.”

“Well, there was this fellow named Jesus– some relation to the bride, I believe.  Well, his mother was there too, and when they ran out of wine, the mother goes to this guy Jesus and tells him.  He has some words with her, and then he tells the servants to fill up the water pots with water.  She tells them to obey him, so they do.  He then tells them to draw it out and take it to the master of the feast, and guess what?  When they drew it out it was no longer water but wine – and very good wine too.  I tasted some myself.”

“Are you crazy?”

“No! I actually saw it and tasted the wine.”

“Wow!” The first customer became excited.  “What d’ y’ think, Benjamin?  Maybe this man is the promised Messiah, eh?”

“Nah!  He’s probably just some trickster, trying to attract attention to himself.  As for me, Felix, I’m going to expand, you know– knock out a few walls, bring in a few new lines, but nothing but the best, Felix, nothing but the best!”

“Yes, sir!  That’s what it was alright!  That wine, was nothing but the best."