Hornswoggled
The same evening, when Jereriah arrived, a hint of glow remained throughout the dark walls of this dungeon, but little noticed by him as the demeanor carried was not much different than it had been that same morning. But what was different, was that the smile carried earlier was now imprinted permanently upon my face, and in recognition of that, he mustered somewhat of a smile himself.
“Peter, tomorrow at the sixth hour, you will be crucified by those that I thought, in times pass, to represent the things of God.”
“Jereriah, relax,” I said to him while still shining like a lamp, “for a purpose I was born, and now that purpose has been fulfilled, the Sanhedrin cannot hurt that which lies within, and this shell of my body counts for nothing except in this dimensional walk on earth. For this morning I realized that all the works of Jesus thru me, was but negligible, compared to the true perception of His great Love for us. Therefore, since that which is perfect has come, His Love, then that which is in part shall be done away, and this my closest friend, is the completion of Life. But I now have the privilege to share it with you.”
That entire day was spent sharing and conversing with one another about the Love of God, and how it affects everything on this planet. Jereriah came to see that which I had seen, or maybe should say experienced, for his reception of my words filled him too with a joy unspeakable, and it was then that he saw the remainder of the aura of light, and leaped with joy. This young man visited with the same Christ that had so much affected me, and his joy was as much appreciated as only Love could deliver. He stayed with me thru the night, and wanted also to be with me as long as possible, even thru the end. The conversations we had were solemn, quietly conveyed, but also energetic, for the body cannot contain the volume of Love spilling from one to another.
Early the next morning, many of the older scribes and elders of the synagogue approached with much arrogance, and pride, as was plainly portrayed by their haughtiness and rigid profile, wanting once again to justify their upcoming deeds. One would ask me a question, but before I could answer, another question was slung in my direction, and this went on for several hours until each was satisfied that their egos were stroked.
“Men, for the law you know, and every letter of it has been accounted for by your knowledge, but the Love, Grace, and Mercy of our same heavenly Father has been overlooked. For you, yourself, are not vipers, but your rigid system that will not tolerate change; is. For you strain thru your filter every gnat, but are choked on every camel as passes thru it. That which God has sent to you, you rejected, wanting only to protect that law in which so much of your time has been spent perfecting and protecting, that the true goodness of God has been neglected. You have left your first love to seek your idle of your ego, and turned it into a law of death. The law, given to us by Moses, was meant only to point us away from our sins, by showing them, and to prepare us for Gods’ upcoming Testament of our hope in Jesus Christ.”
It was then that the chief elder, I think to be the priest, took three steps forward and slapped me across the cheeks with his cane, saying; “why do you blaspheme the law of God, given to us by Moses?”
“The law was given to us by God, not to bring us to His will, but to show all that no one, no, not even you, can withstand the rigors of it. It was given to show all that, in ourselves, we cannot hit the mark, therefore showing only the transgression, it is a school master, and only death can remain by it. But, Jesus Christ…..”
At this time four men approached, one grapping me by the hair, while another rent my robe, and the other two threw my body to the floor and began kicking my head and back, then screaming in a shrill voice that God would not tolerate such blasphemes.
After some time, I know not how long, and sitting back again on my stone, used for a chair, the interrogation continued, but not without abuse. No amount of exploit could render my affection, even for them, from within my heart that was so securely fastened. Evidently this was my first true test to be considered, that is, to come to a positive understanding of Gods’ Love, and my reaction from being hated by those that He loves equally.
The mishandling and violence continued, and Jereriah, still standing in the corner that he was forced to stand in, watched; and at times, as one would get tired from his protest, another would step up to persist in the rhetoric of their misguided ways. But within me, unexplainable, the Love of Christ just deepened with every act of violence and injudicious passion that was brought forth from their every effort, but to no avail. The Love planted in me was rooted on the ‘good ground’ of my spirit, and had already grown into my flesh.
About noon time, for Jereriah had made a comment about the strength of the sun, the elders and others just quit, standing with their long faces of protest waiting on me to make the next move or comment, but it didn’t happen. And then in a soft, but yet not humbled voice, the oldest of the group said; “what do you have to say for yourself?” But before an answer could be made, he again spoke; “You are guilty, not only of heresy but for following a heretic, a man calling himself the Messiah, but in truth, was found guilty of treason and a blasphemer. Admit your guilt and the punishment will be swift and painless. Now, what do you have to say?”
“Gentlemen, we call upon the same God,” I began to slowly speak, only to see if my words were being heard, “but our usage of His being is quite different, but God’s Grace is sufficient for you also, if you hear His call to repentance.”
The group of men, one looking at the other, curling their fist, holding their shoulders in a reared position, and their indignation showing at every level, shouted; “who are you to call us into the things of God?” But no one took even one step forward, but rent their robes instead, saying; “you are guilty of also being a heretic.”
“Sirs, you are right in one point; and in one point only. For of a truth, I am guilty; I am guilty of being hornswoggled in the Love of God thru His Christ Jesus, captured by and with His never-ending Love, and for that; I AM GUILTY AND THANKFUL.”