The Hidden Flame Read Online Free PDF Page A

members, others as many as a thousand. One of the largest lies east of the Mount of Olives, another on the Dead Sea's western shore. Some are celibate and restricted to men, others populated by entire clans. They are united in their loathing of the Sanhedrin and the Temple priesthood, which they consider corrupt. But they've been a peaceful lot, electing to remove themselves entirely from the general population, waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue their nation. But in the current political and religious upheaval-"
    "I don't understand," Ezra cut in. "You think even the Essenes might now preach violence?"
    "No. At least not yet. They claim many astonishing things," Gamaliel replied, still facing the window. "But violence is not among them."
    "Have these-these new disciples of the dead prophet joined with the Zealots?"
    "No. They too speak of peace." The priest gave a shudder. "If they changed ... What an appalling thought."
    "I still don't-"
    "No, nor I." Gamaliel strode back over to his chair. "All I can tell you for certain is that these followers of Jesus are growing faster than any sect we have ever faced. And the stories I hear grow with them. They still claim the prophet Jesus rose from the dead, walked among them, and then went up into the heavens. They claim he is the true Messiah. They claim ..."
    "Yes?"
    "Miracles," Gamaliel said. "Signs and wonders. Things which enflame the passions of everyone within reach. Either the listeners join, or they become enemies. Talk of them is everywhere. If anything sways them-diverts them-I fear a storm of such force that everything might soon be swept up. And away ..."
    Ezra shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Were this anyone else speaking, I would cast it aside as nonsense."
    "But it is I who talk with you, old friend, and this is not nonsense. How long were you gone, four months?"
    "Almost five."
    "So in five months the followers have grown into a force that must be reckoned with."
    "I would think the Sanhedrin would be very disturbed by all this. What does it propose to do?"
    "The Sanhedrin members are pulling their beards, looking down at the floor. They thought with the prophet dead, the rabble would soon disperse. They are only beginning to accept that this is something new. And many more are coming to believe that this dead prophet is in fact the long-awaited Messiah. It is growing into a powerful force within the community. One that must be confronted."
    Ezra caught the new tone. "You have an idea, do you not?"
    "Think of it. They have no allies in the power structure. I want you to go speak with their leaders."
    Ezra couldn't believe what he was hearing. "You cannot be serious. I'm just a merchant-"
    "Precisely. They have nothing to fear from you." Gamaliel picked up a parchment from the table. "Here are the names of their leaders we have managed to identify. Apostles, they are called. The street names are where local followers have opened their homes to the group. Some have given land which has now been set aside for their encampments outside the city gates. Go and meet with them. They are clearly poor. Build for us an ally. Offer them Temple gold if need be. See if they can be trusted. Find out their intentions. And report back to me, old friend, and no one else."

    Ezra was a man of many talents. Son of a merchant from Tyre, he had traveled to Jerusalem at age twelve to study with a Pharisee scholar. Some said this man had been the finest living teacher of Torah anywhere in the world. At the time of Ezra's arrival, Gamaliel had been studying with the same teacher for almost two years. Gamaliel took young Ezra under his wing and helped him adjust to the alien worlds of the Temple, the city of Jerusalem, and applied study. Ezra soon became aware that the Jerusalem scholars were already speaking of Gamaliel in awe, for the young man's mind absorbed verses and commentaries like a sea sponge. Gamaliel could either read or hear a text one time, then recite it back