Final Confrontation (21 page)

“Peter, you are a fisherman,” He said, glancing at the brother of Andrew. “You know these waters well.”

“Yes, too well,” said Andrew, referring to the recent lack of catch. The men laughed aloud. Peter smiled at being the center of the story.

“Nevertheless, here is a story you will understand. The Kingdom of Heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish.”

“Not like Peter’s net then,” chimed in Andrew.

They all laughed.

“No, this net was full,” continued Jesus. “And so the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and sorted the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad fish away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The holy angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into a fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. A horrible fate. Have you understood all these things?”

“Yes,” they replied.

“This is why we have such conflict with the religious leaders in this land. You see, every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the Kingdom of Heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old. But they instruct from what they presume is the Kingdom—so they are like blind men who are only leading other blind men into the ditch.”

As Jesus finished speaking, the crowds once more were pressing in, breaking into their private moment together. He ordered the men to prepare the launch so they might take off across the lake, escaping the crowds to preach the Kingdom elsewhere.

Crispin and Rufus watched as the little boat headed out across the great sea. The accompanying warriors stayed with the boat as always. The people continued watching the disciples’ little boat as it headed into the middle of the lake.

“The people who live on the other side of Galilee are in for a wonderful surprise,” said Crispin. “Quite an unexpected visit!”

Rufus nodded in agreement and ordered his angels back to Heaven with him. Crispin vanished with them. When they had left, two more angels appeared on the banks of the lake. They also watched the little boat.

“I would say there shall be another unexpected visit—upon the water,” one of the angels said.

“See to it,” said the other.

It was Rugio.

Above the little boat, which was about midway across the lake, the warrior angels who were with Jesus cast a weary eye. Above them, swirling like angry hornets were hundreds of demons. They seemed to be gathering in a great cloudy, dark mist. Above them was Rugio and his commander Nathan.

“They have spotted us,” said Nathan. “The warriors with Jesus.”

“Never mind them,” said Rugio. “They cannot abandon their post to do battle. Besides we have them outnumbered.” He smiled at the clouds beginning to broil around the dark morass of his warriors who were creating a violent disturbance above the lake.

“I sense fear among the fishermen,” Rugio observed. “They, too, see this storm brewing. If there is one thing that paralyzes the Lord’s ability to work among men it is fear. Let their fears take them to the bottom of the lake!”

On board the cramped little boat, the men were indeed watching the skies. Andrew looked at his brother, who was maintaining a steady hand on the rudder. Simon glanced back, shaking his head doubtfully. The others, particularly those who were not fishermen, also looked at the blackening sky. The winds began to rise.

They looked at Jesus who was asleep on the deck, leaning on one of the nets.

“Shall we awaken Him?” asked Thaddeus.

“Not yet,” answered Simon, looking up at the sky’s first flash of lightning. “Not just yet. But steady your oars, my friends. And steady your hearts.”

“The storm is almost at the ready,” reported Nathan. “Shall we commence?”

Rugio looked at the waves, which were beginning to rock the boat with greater and greater intensity. He gave the command and the hellish angels started swirling about faster and faster, creating a maelstrom within the air, bringing the storm to its greatest fury.

The boat began tipping violently. Sheets of rain blinded the men, droplets cutting into them like tiny needles. The waves lapped into the boat, splashing the men and causing some of them to panic. Rugio and Nathan enjoyed their handiwork, anticipating the drowning of the men.

“Even if Jesus should live this will deal a blow to the Kingdom,” said Rugio. “What with John’s upcoming termination, we shall soon see Jesus’ Kingdom dreams vanish.”

Aboard the boat, the men were rowing for land with all of their strength. But they were so turned around and being tossed about so violently they could scarcely make out where the land was, or if they were even going in a straight line. Finally, Simon gave the order to awaken Jesus.

“Master! Master!”

Jesus opened His eyes and saw the frightened faces of His disciples.

“Master we are going to die if You do not do something!”

Jesus stood up and looked at the men who were fighting the storm but whose fears had gotten the better of them. Jesus gazed into the sky as a lightning bolt exploded nearby.

“Why are you afraid?” he shouted. “Where is your faith?”

The men looked at each other. Simon was still barking orders.

“We are taking on too much water,” he shouted. “Keep bailing!”

Jesus moved to the front of the boat which was dipping down into the sea and then rocking violently back He held on to the side, looked into the sky and spoke.

“PEACE!” He shouted into the sky.

Rugio and Nathan were knocked backwards upon the declaration of peace by Jesus. The devils who were spinning the storm into its greatest violence were suddenly flung into disorganization. Many, upon hearing the Lord’s voice, shrieked in fear and began scattering.

“Hold that storm together!” ordered Rugio.

“BE STILL!” shouted Jesus.

When these words were spoken, all coordination fell apart and the demons scattered like a flock of frightened birds. The storm quickly subsided. Even Nathan was thrown back into the heavenlies for a moment at this great command. Only Rugio remained stubborn and defiant. He could not believe the carnage Jesus had made of his warriors with just a few simple words.

The men were exhausted as the surface of the lake calmed down. Jesus moved among them and sat back down. They could only whisper among themselves that even the winds and the sea obeyed this Man!

“Listen to their amazement,” said Nathan. He then mocked them in Andrew’s voice, “Even the winds and the waters obey Him!”

“Of course,” said Rugio. “He created the winds and the waters.”

“Then why did we even make this attempt?” Nathan asked scornfully. “All this did was build greater confidence among the disciples!”

“I was hoping to see some of these wretched humans destroyed,” said Rugio.

“So how do we fight Him?” asked Nathan. “He cannot be attacked.”

“Not from the outside, perhaps,” agreed Rugio. “But I believe Lucifer is working on something from within.”

Nathan wasn’t sure what Rugio meant, but he understood this to be information to which he was not privy. They watched the boat as it finally turned toward a distant shore.

Rugio smirked. “Who is the prince over Gadara?”

“That is Lucien,” said Nathan. “He is prince over the entire province of Peraea.”

“Ah yes,” said Rugio, recalling a bitter conflict he once had with Lucien because of his close alliance with Kara. “That proud and petty prince. I believe you should warn him of an immediate problem.”

Nathan looked at Rugio with a puzzled expression.

“It looks as if they are bound for Gadara,” Rugio said with delight. “Tell Lucien the Most High is coming to call.”