The Making of the Lamb Read Online Free PDF

had an engaging face with a thin nose and lips, smiling and expressive. Locks of medium brown curls flowed to his shoulders and framed his face. His teeth seemed healthy, and all there; it was enough to make him suspect the boy might be the son of a rich family, but the meanness of his garments and the calluses on his fingers belied that notion. He wore only a simple off-white tunic, a prayer shawl, and a skullcap, with a plain pair of sandals on his feet. Well-worn though his clothes were, they were also well mended. His family must be of modest means, but not impoverished.
    The boy certainly knew Holy Scripture; Caiaphas had to give him that. The more he listened, however, the more he caught on to the subtle and dangerous nuances in what young Jesus bar Joseph had to say.
    “We are all called to be in God’s service,” Jesus declared.
    So far, nothing wrong with that.
    “Even as a child I am called to do his will, as the Psalms say. Today in this temple, as this beautiful morning light shines upon me, I am here because of God. There is hope for Israel. We will see the Messiah come soon, out of obscurity and from a poor family.”
    “But how can you assume he will be from humble beginnings?” asked an old rabbi. “We believe the Messiah will be great and powerful.”
    “The Prophet Isaiah said clearly that the Messiah will come from the line of Jesse,” said the boy, “and that a branch shall grow out of his roots. That family is no longer great in Israel. Therefore, it follows that the Messiah will come from obscurity.”
    A young rabbi then spoke up. “With respect, sir, the boy is right. What he says is in the beginning of Isaiah’s prophecy.”
    The boy is clever, but it is dangerous for him to advance his arguments with Scripture. Heretics and blasphemers could twist many passages to deceive listeners. That was why interpretation of Scripture was the province of the highest of the priests.
    “I come today as a messenger from far-off Nazareth. God is God of Love. We must know his love before we can love each other. We must disregard external representations and gaze within. This must be part of our preparation before we can be freed from Rome. We must love even those who are not Jewish, for they too are loved by God—”
    “But young man, we Jews are the chosen people of the one true God,” said a man in the crowd.
    “We are the blessed flock of all nations,” said another older man. “Do you not know that we alone are favored?”
    “But, good sir, consider the words of the prophet Isaiah,” said Jesus. “He says that the Messiah will save those people who have walked in darkness, and that even the gentiles will see a great light—for upon them hath the light shined.”
    The old man was left speechless for a moment. Then he whispered something to the man seated beside him.
    “I fear the whispers of this place,” Jesus said. “People, do not whisper—have faith that we will be saved. We must have hope, and I pray for those who whisper hatred and jealousy. We must know that the Messiah shall be conspired against when he is here, just as the Psalms say, and he will suffer reproach for God’s sake because of this hatred. But then he will be exalted and glorified among all, and he will save Israel from her captors.”
    The young rabbi interjected again to say that Jesus spoke the truth from the book of Daniel.
    The older rabbi shook his head.
    It seemed to Caiaphas that the boy was not only using Scripture to advance error, but also that he meant to advance the cause of the rebellious zealots. Allowing such teaching in the temple would bring down the wrath of the Romans. Caiaphas nearly raised his voice to silence the boy, but his curiosity made him hesitate. He leaned forward to hear what else the boy had to say.
    “The Messiah will bring love to all. He will be the salvation of Israel, sent by God, who is his father, as the Proverbs say. The Son will look to the Father and gain insight into his