Final Confrontation (22 page)

Gadara was the capital of the Roman province of Peraea. It was on the summit of a mountain about six miles southeast of the Sea of Galilee. It was a rugged territory, and between the lake and the town was a deep ravine which was dotted with many tombs carved in the limestone cliffs.

The disciples did not frequent this region, preferring the more familiar towns to the northwest of the lake. Nevertheless, upon Jesus’ command the boat made shore near Gadara and within minutes they were disembarking.

“I never liked this place,” muttered Simon, as he and Andrew tied the boat up. “It’s all the tombs. I hear the land is haunted by strange creatures.”

The other disciples listened. They, too, had heard the strange tales about this country. They all felt as if they were being watched.

High above them on the summit stood Lucien who, along with Nathan and several of Lucien’s angels, kept an eye on the party as it climbed ashore. Lucien conferred with his aides, trying to determine the best course of action.

“Rugio’s orders are to hold this land,” repeated Nathan. “Jesus’ Kingdom must not gain a foothold here.”

Lucien turned to Nathan.

“Tell your master Rugio that Gadara is not Capernaum,” he said proudly. “There are not adoring crowds here to fawn upon Jesus. They will come and go with little to show for their efforts—just as happened in Chorazin and Bethsaida.”

Lucien had mastered the art of engendering fear among humans. Years of legend had developed around the tombs which, when coupled with Lucien’s loose control of his devils, promoted a sense of chaos and sheer horror among humans who might journey through that part of the land. He particularly prided himself on his ability to repulse even the most stalwart human through the shrieking spirits whose pig-like faces turned human blood to ice. He turned to Korah.

“Bring that fool out of the tombs,” he said. “These men are tired and afraid. Perhaps a bit more fear will turn them away.”

Korah nodded and vanished.

“And now, Nathan,” said Lucien with disdain, “I will demonstrate how we handle disciples in Gadara!”

“What was that?” asked Thomas.

He scanned the hillside in the direction of the scream he heard. He saw nothing.

“There it is again,” said another.

“Look there!” shouted Andrew.

Far away on the brim of a hill was the figure of a man. As he drew closer they saw he was completely naked. His loping, irregular stride added to the eeriness of the picture. Some of the disciples looked for possible weapons. Judas and Thomas climbed back into the boat. Jesus, however, simply watched the man.

The man, probably in his twenties, was badly scarred and bruised. Several open sores were bleeding, particularly on his arms and legs. He was drooling out of the corner of his mouth. On his legs and arms were what remained of shackles that the locals had used in an attempt to keep him secure and to stop his roaming around the countryside. But under the demons’ influence, the man had actually broken the chains that bound him and was loosed to terrorize the region.

The most striking feature of this naked, dirty man was his eyes. They were like black coals with a slight reddish-tinged center. The man smelled like an animal, growling and grunting as he came.

Korah, the demon under Lucien who controlled the man, kept him running among the tombs, slipping on the sharp rocks and harassing the farmers nearby. Nobody wanted to come near the tombs anymore because of him. Ordinarily whenever he confronted some poor wretch who wandered into his domain, he would dispatch his victim quickly with a few simple screams and flails of the arms. The dangling shackles added to the scariness of the scene. This time was different.

The nearer Korah got to the man, the more agitated he became. As Jesus came into sight it was as if Korah was beginning to lose a measure of control of the man whose body he now inhabited. How could this be? The man had given himself over completely. Now the two were in a contest!

Korah managed to control the man’s voice and in a guttural, but conflicted voice, he threw the man on the ground before Jesus and shouted, “What have I to do with you, Son of the Most High God?”

“Come out of him at once!” commanded Jesus.

The men around Jesus stared in wonder.

“I beg of you, Most High, do not torment me before my time!”

“Come out of him at once!” Jesus repeated.

“I beg you, Most High!”

“What is your name?” Jesus asked.

“We call ourselves Legion,” Korah answered. “Because we are so many. We had permission to enter this house. Leave us alone!”

“You must leave him now,” said Jesus again.

Korah was frantic. He could feel his hold on the man slipping away even as the man’s mind was beginning to right itself. Then he spotted some swine on a hillside near the ravine.

“Son of God, I beg you to allow us to enter those swine rather than torment us,” Korah begged.

Jesus looked at the swine.

“These people are filthy, Most High,” Korah continued. “They violate the law by keeping these pigs. Send us into them that we might…”

“Go!” Jesus commanded. “Go into the swine!”

Suddenly the man convulsed violently, swinging his fists and almost hitting Andrew with the end of one of the chains dangling from his arms. He frothed and shook and fell to the ground. Then he was quiet.

The demons, in the meantime, headed straight into the swine. Upon their entrance the pigs went berserk and began stampeding, nearly running down their herdsman. The pigs headed straight for the cliffs and in an instant plunged over the side, while the devils inside shrieked with delight!

Jesus looked down at the man. His eyes were clear now—beautiful green eyes looking up at Jesus. He moved to cover his nakedness. Jesus ordered that clothes and food be given to the man.

When the local people arrived on the scene and saw the man in his right mind they were astonished. They also were seized with fear because of what had happened to the swine. Afraid Jesus might destroy their commerce, they begged the men to go away. And so Jesus and his disciples left Gadara, but not before He instructed the man who had been delivered to tell everyone what God had done for him.

A top the summit, watching them as they left, Nathan stood with Korah. Grim and silent, he was glad they were leaving. But he also sensed he had lost a major portion of his authority in that land.

“So this is how you handle disciples in Gadara,” Nathan could not help but say. “I will see to it that Rugio is given a full report!”

He vanished.

Korah turned to his aides, who were beginning to reassemble after leaving the drowning swine.

“Let Rugio report,” he said sullenly. “I answer to Kara. But I shall be interested to see how they handle the disciples in Jerusalem.”

Herod’s birthday was proving to be one of his usual excessive triumphs. Exotic and imported foods and wines from all over the Roman world had been prepared. Lavish gifts and flowery congratulations poured in from various Roman governors and officials, as well as several senators. He had received numerous praises from foreign kings and diplomats as well. Herod loved birthdays and this one was no exception.

Next to him at the table, Herodias was sipping wine from the south of Gaul. It was an important gift from an important governor, and they enjoyed it in the governor’s honor. She preferred the wine to the local vintages which were much too sweet for her taste—but then she had grown to hate all things Judean. She poured another cup of wine for her husband, as she had been doing the entire evening.

Watching the proceedings, Kara and Berenius were quite gratified. They had put into Herodias’ heart an idea that would put an end to John the Baptizer once and for all.

“Keep filling his cup, my dear,”
purred Kara, as Herod sloppily grabbed the goblet and toasted with one of his military officers. “In a moment Berenius, it will be time for our drama to begin.”

“So this is your plan to exterminate John?” came a voice. “To allow Herod to celebrate his ridiculous birthday?”

Kara turned to see Lucifer standing behind him.