Adam Winn - Killing a Messiah: A Novel

As he looked around the room, Judah saw the faces of his closest and most trusted friends, all young men like himself, none older than twenty-five. He had known most of them from childhood. A paradoxical mixture of pride and humility filled his heart. He was proud of their commitment to this, the greatest of causes, and humbled by their commitment to his leadership to see that cause through.

Tonight, Gods kingdom would be one step closer. Tonight, Gods enemies would bleed. Tonight, Israels oppressors would taste the pain they so eagerly delivered.

Each man had experienced Roman oppression firsthand. When Simeon was only twelve years old, a childish game disrupted a group of Roman soldiers who were throwing dice. Simeon paid dearly for the disruption. His right cheekbone was crushed, and his once handsome face was permanently deformed. Josephs mother, who ran a small tavern, regularly fed Roman soldiers. They thanked her service by refusing to pay, due to complaints about the fooda dishonesty betrayed by their repeat visits. And now their bluster and vulgarity drove away other customers. There were whispers that she could not keep the doors open much longer.

At one time or another, Roman soldiers had forced each of them to carry heavy equipment for a mile, often to their personal detrimenta sale lost, an appointment missed, or a commitment unkept. And while all had paid the heavy price of Roman taxation, Jacob and Nathaniel, the sons of John, had lost long-held family businesses because of unmanageable financial burdens. But Samuel, Judahs closest friend and Josephs cousin, had been victim of the worst transgression of all: Roman soldiers had raped Samuels sister just two weeks before. The mere thought turned Judahs stomach and filled him with rage. The elders of Jerusalem were seeking justice, but everyone at the table knew there would be no justiceno Roman soldier would pay for this crime. Pain and anger now distorted Samuels once boyish and handsome face. Pain and anger marked every face that looked back at Judah. While each man here believed that his God had called him to this cause, it was that pain and anger that fueled their desire for the blood that would be spilled that night.

Judahs voice broke the silence. I see the pain in your faces. I know the lives you have lived under the thumb of these Roman blasphemers. I know the trouble they have brought to your families. Tonight we enact Gods justice!

The room exploded with a guttural roar that would have possibly drawn unwanted attention if they were not secluded in the underground scriptorium of a prominent Pharisee.

Judah continued, Tonight our hearts are true, our zeal for God and his promises pure, and our plans are blessed by Gods good fortune.

All of them at once began to whisper prayers of thanksgiving to the God of Israel.

For Gods good fortune had certainly fallen on them. Several months ago, Joseph overheard two drunk soldiers in his mothers tavern. Apparently, each week a small group of Roman soldiers arrived in the city from Caesarea carrying important correspondence from the governor and a small chest of gold and silver. With this news, Judah and his friends had spent the last two months trying to determine which night these soldiers arrived and at which gate. Three weeks ago, they had found out both: the first day of the week at the Joppa gate. With this knowledge they began to monitor weekly activity, and a clear pattern had emerged. A group of five Roman cavalry arrived at the gate at approximately nine oclock. Each time they carried a small scroll, which the guard noted but did not inspect, and a small chest, which the guard always opened. After this brief interaction with the gate guards, they proceeded through the city to the Antonia fortress, the Roman military headquarters in Jerusalem. They used the same route every timea route that gave Judah the perfect place for an ambush.

We have planned, we have trained, and we have purified our hearts before God. As he did with our ancestors before us, God will surely match our faithfulness with his own. He will meet us in the battle and give us victory! Tonight Rome will bleed, but it will not be the last time. Tonight we deliver a mere flesh wound, but it will be the first of many. In the end our resolve will drive these vile Romans from our holy city!