Anathema

The Secret Story of Jesus Before The Holy Gospels Were

Written

by

Roland E Bouchard

Copyright 2007

www.jesusbarabbas.info
This literary work is Dedicated to God Almighty
And His Ever-Living Son, -at Whose Holy Feet
this unworthy Author imbibed the Sweet Elixir of
His Holy Naam or Word, -may I never forget His
Holy Name.
Introduction

‘Anathema: The Secret Story of Jesus’ is an alternative account of three obscure but profoundly
influential men: Jesus, -who was otherwise called only “Barabbas” instead; Judas the Galilean and Saul of

Tarsus –aka the Apostle and eventual Saint Paul. Nevertheless, let me be quick to add that this literary

work is not about “[Jesus] Christ” of the Holy Gospels and/or The New Testaments per se’.

Even though ‘Anathema: The Secret Story of Jesus’ is not about “Jesus Christ”, it is bound to

offend ‘Christians’, Jews and Muslims nevertheless, -however, this is not my intention… it simply cannot

be avoided. The purpose of this work, iconoclastic as it may be, is multi-faceted. Firstly, so that the above

named characters are presented in such a manner as to explain both the myth concerning “Christ” as well

as to pin-point the proper ‘blame’ for ‘his’ supposed ‘crucifixion’ (thus, dispersing the false accusations

that have laid upon the Jews as a whole). Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, that Jesus Barabbas is

presented as His Aramaic appellation implies, that is: Bar = Son + Abba = Father (as in ‘the Father of us

all’ or, ‘God’, if you will). Lastly, this work is intended to provide a glimpse into the very mystery of

mysteries of (the) ‘God-man’ and, His relationship to all living people in the world… who lived then as

well as those who live now.

The background of this unique hypothesis begins in the days of the prophet Samuel… when the

elders of the twelve tribes came to Samuel as a unified voice beseeching him to ‘choose’ a king over them

as may be likened to other nations and to judge them. Initially, Samuel was aghast at their audacious

design to establish an earthly kingdom, -complete with a mortal king as it head, -thus altering their

ancient customs since the beginning. To Samuel, this innovation was an effrontery towards God and

therefore refused to accede to their desires. But the elders pressed Samuel all the more, until, at last,

Samuel agreed to bring the matter to the Lord. Upon the Lord’s hearing the petition of the people, as
delivered to Him by Samuel, the Lord said, “Hearken to the voice of the people in all that they say to you.

For they have not rejected you, but reject me, that I not reign over them. According to all their works,

they have done from the day I brought them out of Egypt until this day: they have forsaken me, and they

served strange gods, so do they also unto you. Now therefore hearken to their voice: but yet testify to

them, and foretell them the rights of a king that shall reign over them. Then Samuel told all the words of

the Lord to the people. And he said to them: “The rights of a king that shall reign over you will take your

sons and put them in his chariots and, he will make them his horsemen and his running footmen to run

before his chariots. He will appoint them to be his tribunes, and centurions, and to make them plow his

fields and reap his corn and to make for him arms and chariots. Your daughters also he will take to make

them his cooks, bakers and handmaidens. He will take your fields and your vineyards and your best olive-

yards and give them to his servant officials. Moreover, he will take a tenth of your corn and of the

revenues of your vineyards and olive-yards and give to his eunuch servants. Your herds and flocks he will

tithe and you shall become as his slaves. And you shall cry out in that day from the face of the king whom

you have chosen to yourselves and the Lord will not hear you in that day, because you desired unto

yourselves a king to judge and rule over you.” And so, all the people were fully informed of all that which

shall be required of a king, -they understood all of the ramifications of their action, -nevertheless they

thought it prudent to have such a king… to (physically) protect and defend themselves against possible

future attacks upon their will and desires. Moreover, Samuel had more to say regarding the people at

large, their king specifically regarding their obligations towards their God, -despite all their protestations

to the contrary. Anointing Saul, of the tribe of Benjamin, to be their first king of the Jews, Samuel said:

“Now you have your king the Lord has given you. If you love the Lord and worship Him, if you are

obedient to Him and do not rebel against the Lord’s command, if both you and the king who rules you

follows the Lord your God ---well and good. But, if you do not obey the Lord and if you rebel against His

command, the Lord will deal severely with you and your king, and destroy you and your nation. And the

prophet Samuel anointed (blessed) Saul as the messiah-king to rule over the Lord’s people.
 In short, eventually, king Saul failed to obey the Lord’s command and was replaced by anointing

David, of the tribe of Judah, as the new ‘messiah-king of the Jews. The Lord was well pleased with King

David’s successful establishment and maintenance of a theocratic form of governance’, -such much so,

that the Lord promised David, -as spoken by the prophet Nathan, that, “If your sons so conduct

themselves that they remain faithful to the Lord with their whole heart and with their whole soul, you

shall always have someone of your line on the throne of Israel.”

Now, the messiah-king David was succeeded by the anointment his son, Solomon. King Solomon

was succeeded by his son, Rehoboam, -however, ten tribes revolted away from Rehoboam (and thus

Solomon and David’s ‘theocracy’) and established a parallel secular government, with Jeroboam as its

king, instead. Rehoboam and his followers were marginalized in place. This schism among the Jews

continued down through the centuries…well into the Roman appointed, installed and supported secular

government of Herod the Great (an Ideumean and convert ‘Jew’).

In the year 6-7 c. e., Judas the Galilean, -a descendant of David, claimed to be the chosen

‘messiah’ and, rose up an insurrection against the sons of Herod. He was killed in battle, but that did not

deter other claimants to aspire to the ancient ‘theocratic throne of Israel’. Another descendant of David

rose up, and then another -each claiming to be the promised ‘messiah’, -all were killed in battle or were

crucified. The bloody insurrection of the zealous ‘messianists’ and their followers continued until the

wealthy and educated Jews scattered themselves abroad, the temple at Jerusalem was razed to the ground

and the nation of Israel was utterly destroyed, -save the western ‘wailing’ wall and their lamentations.

• * * *
 “Jesus Barabbas”, written in the original Greek Gospel according or attributed to Matthew

(27:17), - but that His name (Jesus) was removed or omitted from the Latin translation of the same text

(around 390 c. e.) and most of the subsequent translations thereafter… leaving ‘us’ latter-day peoples

with only ‘Barabbas’ instead. Moreover, it should be noted that ‘Barabbas’ is not a proper name or a

surname per se’ (any more so than is “Christ”), -it is what He (Jesus) was called. It is, rather, an Aramaic

appellation, the meaning of which is: Bar = Son + Abba = Father (as in ‘the Father of us all’ or, ‘God’, if

you will). He was ‘the teacher of righteousness’ and the actual author of ‘Sermon on the Mount’.

Standing on the stage of ecclesiastical history’s most dramatic and celebrated hour, like a potted

plant of poison ivy, Jesus Barabbas appears to have said nothing whatsoever to anybody, nobody said

anything to Him, -nevertheless, although otherwise portrayed as “a notorious robber, murderer and

insurrectionist” (without evidence, much less proof), the Jewish multitude clamored for His release

(supposedly invoking a never before or since ‘custom’ of releasing one prisoner in honor of the then

upcoming Passover), -while, at the same time, demanding the crucifixion of “Jesus Christ”. However,

despite His “notoriety”, no (secular) historian mentions Him.

He is written about exclusively in the Holy Gospels. So much for His “notoriety”, -this is

especially peculiar as it relates (or not) to Flavius Josephus, -who otherwise wrote at great length and in

minute detail of much lesser ‘notable’ men and events of ‘those days’.

Where did He come from? Where did He go after He was supposedly ‘chosen’ by the Jews to be

released from prison, -while at the same time demanding the crucifixion of “Jesus Christ”? Why was He

‘chosen’ in particular and why the apparently sudden ‘turn of events’ as it relates to “Jesus Christ” -of

whom, only one week earlier, thousands of Jews praised ‘his’ expectant arrival?

Does one believe what one sees with one’s own eyes or what others tell you what to see (and

‘believe’)? Have particular ‘books’ and ideas been banned and burned, manuscripts edited, re-written,

-and therefore ‘know’ only what we are allowed to see and that there is no alternative?
 How quickly and easily ‘we’ (latter-day people) loose sight of the fact that “Jesus Barabbas” is

‘documented’ as having been ‘chosen by the Jewish multitude to be released’ (not by ‘us’ latter-day

people, ‘Christians’ and/or otherwise) and, that, at the same time, they also demanded the crucifixion of

“Jesus Christ”. They obviously had a reason or motive (‘good’ or ‘bad’) for deciding upon such a

dastardly deed. And so ‘a reasonable excuse’ was surreptitiously and cunningly inserted into the passion

narrative… to provide to ‘us’ (‘Christians’ who really, it would seem, have no business in that strictly

Jewish matter so long ago) with instilling sympathy and thus ‘we’ relate… i.e. “envy”. But, was that the

real or only reason or motive for ‘the Jews’ to have acted in such an incongruous matter according to

‘us’?

In that we weren’t there (neither do we have all the historical facts on the matter) -except that we

have great ‘sympathy’ for and hope in ‘our’ beloved ‘Savior’, (as we have been taught) we are left

‘believing’ in such or not. We barely notice that our attention has been and is cunningly diverted away

from the alleged “notorious robber, murderer and insurrectionist” and the raging ‘insurrection’ that was

all around ‘them’. We loose sight of the fact that the ‘Holy Gospels’ weren’t written to provide us with

‘facts’ or history in the scientific sense of that word in the first place. They were written to provide and

instill in us ‘faith’, -never letting the facts get in the way of the ‘Good News’ story.

‘Envious’ = bad Jews’ (who were actually present and preferred who or what , ‘we’ latter-day

people, assume is the guilty [Jesus] Barabbas…) versus: ‘us’ latter-day people who are ‘good’

sympathetic followers of the supposedly and assumed innocent “[Jesus] Christ”. Ironically, ‘envy’

(‘jealousy’ and ‘blinding life-long hatred’) towards ‘the descendant of David and the Jewish messiah’

really was the reason… but not by all the Jews at that time, rather the envy, jealousy and blinding hatred

existed in only one man… -Saul of Tarsus… behind the scenes.

Jesus Barabbas and “Jesus Christ” are inexorably and forever intertwined in the cunningly,

cleverly and fraudulently ‘documented’ ‘Holy Gospels’, -albeit rightly or wrongly. Latter-day ‘Christians’
are wont to point-out the secularly historical ‘documents’, -particularly those of the turn of the first

century Flavius Josephus as well as the second century Tacitus and, to a lesser degree, Suetonius. Indeed,

Josephus was the first non-ecclesiastical historian to cite “Jesus Christ”, and as such, his passage

concerning “Jesus Christ” was utilized during the Council of Nicaea (325 c. e.) as ‘evidence’ of the

historicity of “Jesus Christ” -one can only wonder why it took nearly two centuries to provide this

‘historical evidence’ or ‘documentation’… but I digress. I wonder why Josephus failed to mention, even

in passing, Jesus Barabbas.

Purely for edification’s sake, let us look at the noted reference concerning Josephus’ “Jesus

Christ” (that, ironically, immediately follows his “…thus the end was put to this sedition”, - “Now, there

was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful

works -a teacher of such men as received the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the

Jews and many of the Gentiles. He was [the] Christ; and when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal

men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him,

for he appeared to them alive again the third day, as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten

thousand other wonderful things concerning him; and the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not

extinct at this day.”

Without much ado, I completely and utterly reject the claim that Josephus actually wrote the

above ‘good news’ nonsense, -it belies the facts of who and what Josephus actually accomplished in his

lifetime and what he otherwise wrote. He was a Jewish General who fought against the fanatical

‘messianists’ or ‘zealots’ who demanded a theocratic form of government… until the wealthy and

educated Jews scattered themselves abroad, the temple at Jerusalem was razed to the ground (-save the

western or ‘Wailing Wall’) and the Jewish nation was utterly destroyed in 70 c. e. The ‘historical

reference’ regarding “Jesus Christ” is obviously fraudulent, inserted into the contents of Josephus’

‘history’, by a latter-day ‘Christian’, for the sole purpose of establishing the credence of ‘historical

documentation’. Likewise, the same is true regarding Tacitus and Suetonius. In short and to the point,
there is no creditable ‘historical documentation’, ‘evidence’, much less ‘proof’ concerning the mortal or

corporal “Jesus Christ”, -save the ‘Holy Gospels’ themselves… made possible by the efforts of Saul of

Tarsus (and his cohorts and their supporters) who wrote the ‘Holy Gospels’ and created and founded

‘Christianity’.

The long and short of all the references and arguments regarding the ‘spirit’ of “[Jesus] Christ” is

simply this; ‘he’ (“if it be lawful to call him a man”) is a literary confluence of the ‘switched’ “Jesus”

[Barabbas]” and “Judas the Galilean”, on the one hand and, is the immaculately conceived invention or

creation, -as a direct result of Saul of Tarsus -aka the Apostle and eventual Saint Paul’s epiphany of the

deceased ‘descendant of David and Jewish messiah’ (Judas the Galilean) as the Greek converted

philosophical notions i.e. the “risen [Jesus] Christ”, on the other hand. Jesus Barabbas simply maintains

His obscurity (despite His ‘notoriety’) and disappears from whence He came, -anathema (rendering unto

God that which is God’s and man unto man’s).

Let me be quick to say that, of course I know and realize that, the chronology as it relates to both

Jesus Barabbas and Judas the Galilean is skewed, -it was skewed in the first instance i.e. ‘those days’

(not by me). Although Jesus Barabbas lived during the reign of Pontius Pilate (26-36 c. e.) and, that Judas

the Galilean ‘rose up in the days of the taxation (6 or 7 c. e.)’, they both represent the opposing sentiments

of the Jewish people (and all humankind). Jesus Barabbas was the embodiment of spirituality, -the God-

head consciousness, -Judas the Galilean, and all those who followed him, represents the political designs

and ambitions for the Jewish people (and all humankind). With respect to Jesus Barabbas, little is known.

With respect to Judas the Galilean (including those who followed him, up to the days of Simon Bar Korba

(Son of the Star) -sometimes called ‘the Prince of Israel’) had only one common idea and mission: the

restoration of the theocracy as in the days of kings David and Solomon. Many a Jewish ‘messiah’ was

crucified, -indeed, thousands were routinely crucified, -Judas the Galilean is merely identified here as

the ‘author of the fourth philosophical sect of the Jews and chief protagonist of the insurrection’ and thus
represents all the hope zeal of all ‘Jewish messiahs’ (in the political sense of affirming belief in a

theocratic form of governance. (The same may be applied to Ayatollahs of Islam today).

Let us take a brief look at Saul of Tarsus, -his ancestry in particular and, more importantly, his

‘human nature’ as it relates to ‘those days’… particularly concerning ‘the descendants of David’…

Saul of Tarsus is of the tribe (or family) of Benjamin and is the namesake of the first ‘anointed’

king of the Jews. Born around the time of the initial call for insurrection by Judas the Galilean (6 – 7 c.

e.), young Saul eventually became a flunked-out Pharisaic student of Gamaliel in his mid twenties and

earned his living as a ‘temple thug’, “persecuting ‘Christians”, as it were. (However, with respect the

‘Christians’, there were no ‘Christians’ to speak of at that time, -only fanatical followers of ‘the

descendants of David and the Jewish ‘messiah’.) Young Saul possessed a particular and singular view of

‘the descendants of David’ since birth, -being a direct descendant of his great-great grandfather, king

Saul, the first king of the Jews.

King Saul eventually was rebuked by ‘the Lord’ (for having disobeyed the Lord’s

commandment) and striped him of his kingship. Dishonored and shamed as king, nevertheless, he was

allowed to continue as commander of a large number of men in the cause of protecting the Jews from her

enemies. Eventually, he “fell upon his own sword”, ostensibly to avoid being captured by the Philistines.

This abominable act brought everlasting dishonor and shame upon his heirs and descendants, -not to

mention permanently barring his heirs and descendants from ascending the royal throne ever again.

King Saul was replaced by David (of the tribe of Judah). King David was succeeded by his son,

Solomon. King Solomon was succeeded by his son, Rehoboam… however, ten tribes revolted away from

Rehoboam and/or the existing theocracy as instituted by David and maintained and enlarged by Solomon.

Jeroboam headed a parallel secular government. This schism among the Jews continued down through the

centuries… into the days of the Roman installed and supported secular governance of Herod the Great (an

Idumean and ‘convert’ Jew).

 There is no ‘written proof’, no ‘smoking gun’, so to speak, of particulars as they may relate to

certain individuals and events of ‘those days’. (‘History’, is indeed, written by the victors.) It ‘appears’

that there is no evidence regarding young Saul of ever having known “Jesus Christ” personally (except as

an epiphany, apparition or vision, -neither did Saul ever refer to “Jesus Christ” corporally). Nevertheless,

I can only suspect that he really did know, and knew very well, ‘the descendant(s) of David and Jewish

messiah’… as he rode into Jerusalem on an ass that fateful day, -his life-long nemesis and constant

reminder of his present-day failed life and hopeless future. (If I were Saul of Tarsus, given his ancestry, I

would have known ‘him’, -wouldn’t you?) All of Jewry expected ‘him’, awaited ‘him’, -some with joy in

the hearts, -others with dread… except Saul, -who is ‘seems’ oblivious, -yet “persecutes ‘Christians’

(at a time when there were no ‘Christians’? Human nature and ‘family education’ and the ‘triumphant

entrance into Jerusalem only one week earlier’ dictates the welling-up of young Saul’s hatred, resentment,

jealousy and envy towards ‘the descendant(s) of David and Jewish messiah’. I simply cannot even

imagine Saul’s ‘ignorance’ concerning ‘the descendant of David and Jewish messiah’… as he rode into

Jerusalem on an ass that fateful day, -his life-long nemesis and constant reminder of his present-day failed

life and hopeless future passing him in plain view.

The actual reality of ‘those days’ is simply this, that, No Jew, ‘good’ and/or ‘bad’, ever knew, or

saw or even heard of “Christ”, -likewise, neither have any of ‘us’ would ‘know’ anything about either

man, -save from out of the exclusive pages of ‘The Holy Gospels’ themselves, -obfuscated by Saul of

Tarsus.

“Christ” is an anglicized Greek literary term (Kristos), -first written After Saul of Tarsus, -aka

‘Paul’s’ epiphany of the crucified but risen ‘descendant of David and Jewish messiah’ and converted into

a Greek philosophical notion around no earlier than 40-45 c. e.

Emanuel Kant once observed, “…it is not the falsehoods that matter, but the intention behind it.”
 Why, or rather ‘who’s intention was it to the render the Holy Gospels historically inaccurate, its

chronology contradictory, confusing, incongruous…?

Although the deafening silence of and by the ‘Church’ during these past two millennia requires

clarification of these issues, alas, I have determined that it will never come, -it cannot. The modern-day

‘Church’, having whole-heartedly accepted and vigorously maintains the previous claim that she is the

sole arbiter of ‘The Holy Gospels’ as being ‘the inspired Holy Word of God’, -not to mention the

veneration of Saul of Tarsus into sainthood, this makes any current correction or clarification

impossible… except as anathema to ‘Christians’.

But, even that is not enough for me to be prompted to pen this literary work, such as it is… for it

was not until I took the ‘mortal leap’ further and delved into the mystery of Such a One as Him, that I

have come to my own ‘epiphany’ concerning ‘those days’ and these things…

What good might there be to merely denounce one man (if it be “lawful to call him a man”) as

merely a myth and point to another man in speculation instead?

That Jesus Barabbas surely lived and walked among humankind (not only merely among the

Jews exclusively in ‘those days’)… Such a One did before. The unrealized history of man indicates He

does so today. He has always lived and continues to walk among humankind.

Either He did exist or He didn’t… either He does exist or He doesn’t. It matters not one jot that

He did exist if He doesn’t exist today. Who would seek medical care from Hippocrates for a broken arm

today? Who would question Moses in a legal matter? Who would receive wisdom from Solomon? It is no

less absurd to assume deliverance from ignorance and find salvation and grace from the pages of a book

about a past Master or Lord or Guru or Saint of the Highest Order (call Him whatever you will).

Is a map an actual place? Is truth the written pages of a book?

 Like a lighted Candle is ablaze, He comes to light another, becomes spent and is no more. The

Light anew in another body shines the same as before.

‘Truth is above all, -but true living is higher still’. It is in life that we may experience pleasure and pain; it

is in love that we may know right and wrong, it is in light (our daily life) that we may find our way.
Chapter I

The deep indigo canopy high above, adorned by sparkling far-flung stars beckoning, paled into a crimson

gash on the side of heaven as the coming dawn drew neigh. Nestled among tall pines of Lugdunum at the

confluence of spring’s swiftly running Rhone and Saone rivers, Roland, rousted from a dream by the

rapping upon his stout oaken door. Aroused also, startled crows clamored nosily from their slumber as

well, -each barking at each other of their displeasure. The casual observer might imagine nothing note

worthy had happened during the darken hours just moments before. Not so mused Roland, pondering his

dream, as he marshaled his senses and staggered toward the ruckus, eyes half closed, -soon to realize that

the hand of fate was indeed busily at work.

“Orders, sir”, announced the indistinguishable messenger in the pale morning light, “your presence is

required at the office of Pontius Pilate at first opportunity”.

Roland acknowledged receipt of the message with a grunt and brushed pass the man, bounding to answer

nature’s own pressing message.

Crossing an earnest and highly motivated brown cock on route to his own calling and, strutting up to the

summit of a large rock, Roland heard the fowl bellow out a trumpet-like announcement behind him as he

entered the open-ended latrine, relieving his bladder of its steamy yellow contents through the brisk

morning air.

Not satisfied with the results so far, the cock bellowed a second time. Still no satisfactory results came.

Stretching his skinny neck to its limit, he crowed all the louder a third time… and as if on cue, slowly, the

great golden orb began to make its majestic presence felt over the land, -shining upon the just and unjust

alike in equal measure, -much to the approval and satisfaction of the feathery usher. The cock hopped
down from his rough perch, pecked at the dewy ground here and there and strutted proudly around the

yard, -looking, no doubt, for other duties to perform.

Roland smiled and couldn’t help but wonder… -did that cock really think that because of his crowing, Sol

came?

Returning to his quarters for his toiletries in preparation for the days events, -the cackling crows, as if in

union, dived into the crisp morning air and flew out of sight. Roland began wondering what Pilate might

want of him.

Things worthy of note did happened during the night, at least for this Roman soldier, -it was after all,

noon elsewhere… in a land far away, not only in his dreams but also in his destiny.

Roland, a native of Gaul by design and planning by his parents, a Roman military officer by profession, -a

dreamer by temperament and fate, he did as he wont, -much to the chagrin of his father, a wealthy Greek

shipping owner named Markos and dismay by his adoring Jewish mother named Aliya. By design and

planning, I mean to say that it was planned that he be born in Lugdunum, -away from Judea and the home

of his mother’s birth and upbringing. Lugdunum, Rome’s second capitol of sorts, served as a favorite

summer vacationing city among the elite… outside the prying eyes and ears of Rome itself, a place where

the wealthy and aspiring wealthy came to conduct business at one’s leisure, comfort, and perhaps more

importantly, in secret. The move to Lugdunum, prompted initially by his mother -out of fear of things

yet to come in her Jewish homeland She was not a particularly ‘gifted’ woman, but she could see the

handwriting on the wall, so to speak. The events surrounding Judas the Galilean’s entry into Jerusalem,

riding on an ass, caused renewed hope for the fanatical and lunatic religious zealots -who had been

marginalized since the days of Rehoboam centuries earlier. Markos, a practical man, saw a golden

opportunity to use his off-spring to further his shipping interests, -it was a ‘plan’ made in heaven. Markos

was merely disappointed at Roland’s desire to enter into military service, -his mother was exceedingly

horrified at the idea. For Roland, neither the love of money nor political gain and influence were suitable
aims or goals in the pursuit of his desire to fulfill of his yet defined goal. Educated in the Torah, because

of his mother’s insistence, he came to be ‘moved’ by such ‘teachings’ -but not entirely. He knew not what

or where or how certain matters remained a mystery and only that that he suffered a yearning to know

‘the whole truth’ for himself. Military life suited his immediate, clear and simple purpose and, perhaps

more importantly, afforded him the cover and opportunity for his ultimate goal, undefined as it was. All

he had to do was kill the enemies of Rome and stay alive, -the rest would come of its own accord and

life’s own good time. All in all, Roland was a happy camper.

Washed and shaven, Roland headed to his appointment.

* * *

The palatial office of Pontius Pilate was clean and orderly, finely woven silk drapes from Cathy, graced

large windows that would rival those at Rome. Already seated, Pilate rose when Roland entered the room.

“Roland, my good man.”, ‘Glad to see you, how are you and your family”?

“They are good, your Excellency, -Markos sends his regards and Aliya is in good spirits.

Pilate came around from his desk and placed his arm around Roland.

“You must be wondering why I sent for you”, Pilate opened… looking deeply into Roland’s dark eyes set

in a ruggedly carved that were surrounded by thick black brows and handsomely carved rugged face.

Roland said nothing, even though he did wonder. He was very good at extracting information, -without

effort on his part, he simply waited for more, -always allowing the speaker the last word.

Pilate cleared his throat nervously, but maintained his embrace.

“You are perfectly suited for an assignment I have in mind.” Pilate offered, breaking the awkward silence.

Pilate raced through a dozen ways of formulating his next remarks…

“I have been offered the governorship… of Judea”, preceded Pilate.

“I have requested of Augustus that I might assemble a cadre of trustful and capable advisers prior to my

decision. You are well suited to be a member of my staff, I am asking you to join me in my new

assignment at Judea. I need knowledgeable people who know the people of Judea that I can trust. As I

said, you are perfectly suited for this assignment, you may even name your own terms”.

Upon hearing of this unexpected opportunity to live in Judea, Roland experienced a sudden epiphany…

a vision of a bearded man dressed in a white robe bounded by a blue sash,

smiling… a suspicion of revelations to come… the very answer to the question as to who held the truth he

sought… and the means to that knowledge.

Mused Roland, contemplating the ethereal stains of celestial harmonies heard in awe and wonder only

hours before, -whence it came or went, but never why or even who or what was responsible for its

melodious enchantment that seemed like an invitation to higher regions, unseen by the naked eye, but

somehow out of reach. This almost nightly phenomena gave the young officer a sense of calm urgency to

love’s calling, -for surely love was at the core of this unasked-for heavenly gift of ‘divine intervention’ or

experience into his otherwise mundane life, -save the excitement of an occasional battle. Did not this

warrior secretly yearn for answers not gained by the might of sword, or speech or quill, -as surely

beckons all souls sooner or later. Lost in thought, he was brought back to his present circumstances…

“Are you alright Roland, I seem to have lost for a minute”, quipped Pilate.

“I’m fine and, yes I am honored to serve you in your new position. Judea is a welcomed change and

challenge”, returned Roland.

“Good. It is settled then, -but please know that Judea may not be as it was during your playful childhood

days, -much turmoil has ensued since Judas the Galilean has called for an insurrection to overthrow the

Herodian regime. * * *