You also, stop being afraid. Do not pattern your life on what others think is best. When we live only for what others want, we will always be unhappy. If someone breaks you window, or, better yet, your nose, do not say, “Why must I suffer such pain,” or, “How unhappy I am!” Instead, say, “God has given me a chance to experience something new.”
Stop being afraid. If you think about it, really think, you will understand that all of us are unhappy only because society sets limits for us. When we break those artificial limits, we become unhappy. Breaking those limits is the very essence of Christianity. Christ said, “Turn the other cheek.” This was not just an exhortation for peace, but a demand that His followers avoid the societal norm of an eye for an eye. If someone hits you, does it cause more pain to turn the other cheek or to worry about honor and disfigurement and hatred and revenge?
Stop being afraid. Throw away your umbrella and walk in the rain. How will you be hurt? You will become wet and your clothes might be ruined. So what? Are you afraid of what others will think? Let them laugh. Those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind. It is better to feel pain because society thinks something bad than to never experience a walk in the rain.
Stop being afraid. Love, but love in a new way. True love lives for others and therefore cannot feel pain. As long as the one you love is happy, you are happy.
Stop being afraid. You will always do good if you are not afraid. You will be happy if you always do good.
Join with me. We need to teach the next generation of children from day one that they are responsible for their lives. Mankind's greatest gift, also its greatest curse, is that we have free choice. We must make our choices from love or from fear.
I choose love.
Chapter 83: Resurgam
I ran back to the courthouse. Alive, I was alive again. It was a taste of Heaven. My tears were joyful. God had resurrected me and restored my faith.
I ran into the courthouse, my feet popping with energy. I felt alive for the first time since I kissed Mary.
I found Jacob and Clarence standing outside the courtroom. “I found it,” I shouted, “I found the answer.”
Jacob smiled, “I knew you would.”
“Look,” I said holding up the broken umbrella. “Do you want to know what the answer is?”
“No need. I already know. I just needed you to find it for yourself.”
“Come on,” Clarence said, “they’re starting. Are you going to testify or not.”
“Yes,” I said, “I’m no longer afraid.”
Chapter 84: Questions
I testified for Jacob. I told the truth. I was not afraid. My testimony destroyed him.
Clarence took me through some preliminary questions then asked me when I met Jacob.
“No time ago, or else a life, I was sitting on the lawn at school and he sat down next to me and started up a conversation.”
“About what?”
“About life and how most of us lead empty lives and seek misery by following what society says is best.”
“Then what happened?”
“Jacob explained his philosophy of life and asked me if I wanted to come and preach with him.”
“And what did you say?”
“I was reluctant at first, but I decided to follow him.”
“Why?”
“I wasn't happy with where my life was. I had a strong desire to help others. I felt God was giving me this chance to end my selfish ways and make the world a better place.”
“Weren’t you afraid, leaving behind everything you had worked for in life?”
“No. Most people can’t understand why I left. I think society brainwashes us and makes us think only certain goals are worthwhile. I could have stayed in school maybe made a lot of money one day, that is what society, and my parents, would have wanted.”
“But you wanted something else?”
“Yes, I wanted to be happy, not just successful. Success can be, and should be, measured by a different standard than wealth. I think I am successful because I help others. I have also learned, although I didn’t know it at the time, helping others is the true road to happiness.”
“And have you been successful in helping others?”
“Yes, many who were unhappy and directionless in life have come to believe in God and turned their lives around thanks to Jacob’s message.”
“And are you happy?”
“Yes.”
“And, in your opinion, is Jacob a special person?”
“I don’t know, but I believe.”
“Thank you.
Chapter 85: Cross
“That was a very inspiring story,” Joseph said, “I just want to go over some parts I didn’t understand.”
“Okay.”
“You say you were unhappy before you met Jacob?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I was lost; I was living for what others wanted and not for myself.”
“I see. So college was a difficult place for you?”
“Yes.”
“Did you have a girlfriend?”
“No.”
“Any friends at all?”
“No.”
“Any casual acquaintances or anyone to talk to?”
“Not really.”
“So you were completely alone?”
“Yes.”
“Were you depressed?”
“I-probably you could say that.”
“Were you suicidal?”
“I don’t think so.”
“But at the time, you were very depressed?”
“Yes.”
“And Jacob just came and talked with you? What did you talk about?”
“As I said before, just life in general?”
“But he learned your life was unhappy right?”
“Yes.”
“And he offered you a better life?”
“I guess.”
“How long did it take before you decided to leave school?”
“I had one night to decide.”
“Why?”
“They were leaving the next day.”
“Did you discuss your decision with anyone?”
“No, like I said I had no one to talk to.”
“I see. One last question, do you, despite all you have heard, still believe Jacob is the Messiah?”
“I believe.”
“If he isn’t the Messiah, should we find him guilty?”
“Yes.”
Chapter 86: Testimony
The day of Jacob’s testimony the courtroom was packed. No one spoke. Everyone knew they were witnessing a great event and did not want to miss anything.
Clarence shuffled his papers, trying to hide his nervousness. He asked a few bland questions and then launched into the real issues.
“Some very strong charges have been leveled against you, are you afraid?
“No.”
“Why not?”
“I have faith the truth will come out and truth never damages a cause that is just.”
“But the prosecutors have spent almost all of their time showing how your followers were immoral people, how does that make you feel?”
“I’m glad that they have said that.”
“Glad? Why? Aren’t they trying to make you seem guilty by association?”
“Objection, counsel is testifying.”
“Overruled, you may answer.”
“I believe the testimony of my disciples proves my teachings are working.”
“Why?”
“Because, my teachings took twelve people who were lost and helped them find their way and turn to a moral life.”
“That may be true, but some people probably want to know why you associate with such immoral people.”
“Well, I have to, in order to save them.”
“What do you mean?”
“It takes more than just writings and words to save those who are lost. I reach them by example and
through hard work. One should not preach to the converted. Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I believe I must save those who need saving the most. Deep down, even the most hardened criminal is starving for the same thing that motivates the innocent baby: Love and acceptance.”
“You mean you seek only the lost sheep?”
“Your words not mine.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to build your religion without being among sinners?”
“I don’t think so. If it is, then one must always choose the lesser of two evils. I am not afraid to be called a sinner if I am doing God’s work. God put me on earth to accomplish certain things. Right now, I am so far behind, I may never die.”
“Okay. Now, a lot has been said about your ‘unorthodox teachings.’ Can you tell us very briefly, what your main teachings are?”
“Of course. My teachings are very similar to the teachings of all religions, that you should do good, follow the truth, and love your neighbor.”
“But you do hold beliefs that others are afraid of?”
“Some people fear my teachings about how we obtain salvation from God.”
“And how do you believe we obtain salvation from God?”
“I believe and teach that everyone goes to Heaven no matter what they do on Earth.”
“So everyone goes to Heaven? Even the evil?
“Especially the evil.”
“How can that be?”
“God loves all of us despite our actions. We are all sinners in need of mercy and forgiveness from God. God’s love is unending. He can forgive us for anything. God shows mercy and brings us to Heaven because He loves us and forgives us. His grace is limitless and free for all.”
“You understand how some people could take offense at such a teaching?”
“Yes, but I do not ask anyone to believe it, just to let me preach it freely.”
“Thank you,” Clarence said he walked over to the table as if he was going to sit down. He paused, “One more question…how would you describe yourself.”
Jacob smiled, “I’m a little bit of everything rolled into one. All that matters is that I am here to help those who want to be helped.”
Clarence smiled, “Thank you.”
Chapter 87: Persecution
Joseph began his questioning with a subtle attack, “As you told your lawyer, you don’t like what has been said during this trial do you?”
“No.”
“I suppose few love to hear the sins they love to act, but you said everyone testified truthfully?”
“Yes.”
“Then what is the problem? Surely you don’t want to be tried based on lies?”
“I am disgusted by the way that you have hurt my disciples in an attempt to persecute me and I am very sad you have called me the persecutor of good men.”
“Isn’t that your fault? Didn’t you harm your ‘disciples’ by ripping them from their homes and forcing them to follow you?”
“I was doing God’s work. You wouldn’t understand. You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human beliefs.”
“You say you were doing God’s work. Is that because you believe you are the Messiah?”
“I have never said I was the Messiah. Nevertheless, I believe what I believe.”
“Are you the Messiah? The Son of the Living God? Answer me.”
“I will not answer that question. I will not justify myself because if I were seeking my own glory, my own glory would be nothing. If I testify on my own behalf, my testimony cannot be verified.”
“So you think you are the Messiah but you refuse to tell anyone?”
“I am what I am. Others must decide whether they have faith in me.”
“Okay. Does anyone have faith in you?”
“At least one person, the disciple who testified before me.”
“So your entire religious following consists of one person.”
“One is enough. True Christians are the same.”
“What do you mean? There are billions of Christians.”
“There has only ever been one true Christian, and they crucified him pretty early.”
Everyone in the courtroom laughed. The laughter seems inappropriate now, but at the time, we needed something to laugh about.
“Are you making a joke out of this?”
“What prevents me from speaking the truth with a smile?”
“There is nothing more foolish than a foolish laugh. Besides, what are you laughing at? The joke is on you.”
“What do you mean?”
“Isn’t your whole religion a joke and a sham? When did it begin?
“About three years ago?”
“How long after you were kicked out of the Carthaginian priesthood?”
“I don’t know.”
“Come now. A liar must be good at remembering. Wasn’t it less than a week after the church kicked you out?”
“Probably.”
“And why were you kicked out?”
“For preaching about subjects the Church didn’t approve of.”
“And after the Church kicked you out, you were unemployed and homeless correct?”
“Yes, the Church owned my home and all of my property.”
“So unemployed, penniless, without anyplace to go and suddenly, as if by chance, God calls you to be the Messiah. Lucky for you.”
“I believe God started me on a journey for the truth.”
“Well, Jesus probably got started after his going out of business carpentry sale right?”
Now everyone in the courtroom was laughing at Jacob.
“Yet less than three years later you came back to town with twelve followers and a whole new scam, I mean, religion, supported by donations?”
“I give most of my money to the poor.”
“But you use some of it right?”
“I have to eat. I don’t have any other job.”
“I guess being the Messiah is full time work. So let’s talk about that. How did you find your followers?”
The prosecutor then took Jacob through the story of how he called each of us, trying to make it seem as if he was exploiting us and stealing our money.
Finally, the prosecutor reached the end of his questioning, “Why do you believe what you believe?”
“I have faith in God and his mission for me in the same way I have faith in the sun. Not because I can see it, but because I cannot see without it.”
It was finished. The twelve members of the jury would decide Jacob’s fate and the fate of mankind.
Chapter 88: Facts
Joseph stood to give his closing argument. “The most distorted minds are ingenious in contriving excuses for their crimes. Jacob and his lawyer have created quite a story. Prostitutes, murderers, anger, love, belief doubt, Armageddon and the Second Coming of Christ.”
“But what is the truth? Fiction yields to truth: where there is truth, fiction does not exist. Therefore, we must consider only what really happened and not what Jacob says happened.”
“Jacob preyed on the weak and helpless. He exploited people for his own gain. He never said he was the Messiah until the Church kicked him out and made him penniless. He needed a scam, and he found one. He duped twelve helpless victims.”
“As soon as he had no more need for the disciples he exploited, he abandoned them. Then, they abandoned him because they realized what a liar he was. Only one person still believes in him. You heard his testimony. You understand why he was so easily fooled. He was lonely, lost, and easily exploitable. Jacob kidnapped him by filling his head full of ridiculous lies. He conned him into believing and following.”
“Even that believer says we should convict Jacob if he is not the Messiah. What proof has Jacob presented that he is the Messiah? None! He won’t even admit it himself.”
“You have heard the testimony. You know the facts. Do not be fooled by Jacob’s lies. Don’t let him con you the way he conned those poor victims. I know you feel sorry for them, but you
cannot let Jacob go because of that. One wrong does not justify another. If you do not punish him, you will set him free to exploit others.”
“You have a duty, not just to the truth, but to justice. The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. Do not remain silent today. Send a message to the world, that these actions are not acceptable. Our City needs you now. The road is difficult but the reward will be sweet. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice, for they shall be filled.”
Chapter 89: Closing
Clarence stood, “Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.”
“The only evidence the prosecutors presented was that my client helped out people in difficult situations. They say, ‘His friends appeared evil so he must be evil.’”
“That is an assumption and an opinion, not a fact. You can’t tell which way the train went by looking at the tracks. There is another possibility. It is possible that my client helped immoral people because he wanted to save them. Therefore, his friendship with them proves he is good not evil.”
“The prosecution follows the view of most religious leaders. Religious leaders want us to believe that the good can save the evil without becoming entangled with them. They think that the good can stay apart from the evil, living in high towers raining down salvation on the poor and miserable below.”
“It would be best if the good could remain apart from the evil but that is not how the world works. Evil lives in a pit. If you want to fight it, you must climb down in the slime to do so. The truly good surround themselves with evil. In doing this, they not only remain good but save those who are evil. That is how Christ lived. My client followed the example of Christ. He is guilty only of loving too much.”
“They brought this case because they do not believe in what he teaches. That is an opinion. He is guilty of teaching what some people think wrong and some people think right. Nevertheless, because they do not believe so they persecute and prosecute him. They set up the rules and call him a sinner.”
“Don’t let them make you into a sinner. Don’t do their dirty work for them. True evil entered the world not with the first sin, not even with the first murder. It came when an otherwise decent man first looked at a sinner, and at a guiltless stranger with a similar appearance….and punished both of them.”
“My client is not guilty. Even if you do not think him entirely innocent, indeed no one is ever completely innocent; you cannot find him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. There is at least a 50% chance he was a good innocent person.”