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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Illustrate the meaning of "Don't Cut off Your Nose to Spite Your Face" (without using the actual phrase or litera (02/14/08)
My dear friend,

I write to you on the eve of my departure for Damascus. I know that I am accomplishing the work of God. Yet, tonight my heart is troubled. I must relate an event to you in the hope that, through this letter, my mind can reconcile my mission with the disturbing resolution of this story.

Many months ago, I attended a meeting of the Sanhedrin. Just after daybreak, Judah ben Yosef, captain of the temple guard, entered the courtyard. I detected a slight tremor in his voice as he issued his statement to the high priest.

“Sir, there was no one inside.”

His words silenced the Sanhedrin. I nearly dropped the scroll I was reading as I turned to watch Judah repeat his report to Annas. “I secured the jail myself and posted the guard outside last night. When we went to retrieve the prisoners this morning, the doors were locked but the men were not inside.”

The room erupted in confusion as the gathering tried to make sense of the empty cell. Annas scowled. I wondered if he remembered another ‘room’, heavily guarded, that yielded its occupant without explanation. Jesus’ followers claim that he has risen from the dead. They proclaim him messiah. They heal people in his name. The Sanhedrin has forbidden them to teach in the Galilean’s name and has had them arrested before. Yet, they persist.

A priest, Mattathias, entered the room shouting, “Who released the prisoners? I saw those Galileans preaching in the temple courts.”

The guards left without their chains, hoping the men would come willingly. As we waited for their return, an argument broke out among the high priest’s family. Caiaphas called for blood. Alexander demanded exile. Annas said nothing but stared past them as if contemplating the matter as part of a larger puzzle.

Judah returned with two of the Galilean’s disciples: Peter and John. Annas questioned them. “Why do you disobey our order to cease preaching in that man’s name? You seem determined to fill Jerusalem with your teaching and make us appear guilty of shedding innocent blood.”

Peter, the fisherman, replied, “Our authority comes from God, not men. You crucified Jesus, but God raised him from the dead. And now God offers forgiveness if you will only repent of your sins. The Holy Spirit, whom God gives to those who obey him, is our witness.”

I covered my ears and cried with fury at his blasphemy. My belly burned. Some around me wept for mercy while others shouted for justice. Caiaphas renewed his call for the prisoners to be put to death and, in my heart, I agreed.

And now, my friend, I’ll relate the words that have brought me to my present, troubled state. While the assembly shouted for death, my teacher, Gamaliel, stood. He, who is above all reproach, the grandson of our great rabbi Hillel, stood and everyone became silent. He turned to Judah and asked that the prisoners be taken out for a little while.

Then he addressed the assembly. “Men of Israel, consider today’s decision carefully. You remember the case of Theudas and his disciples. He claimed to be messiah, but when he was killed his followers scattered and his movement dissolved into nothing. Likewise, Judas the Galilean led a revolt during the time of the census. When he was killed his followers also dispersed. Now, consider these disciples of Jesus. I urge you to leave them alone. If their activity is of human origin it will come to nothing.”

Then Gamaliel turned to me. My rabbi spoke to the Sanhedrin, but he looked directly into my eyes. “If this Jesus is who he claimed to be and these men are with God, you will not be able to stop them. Continue fighting them and you will find yourselves making war against God.”

The Sanhedrin relented. They flogged the prisoners and ordered them not to teach in Jesus’ name. Then they let them go.

Since then, they have not ceased their teaching.

I know what I have done. I know what I must do. I know what is right. Tomorrow I will continue the destruction of this movement they call “The Way.” But tonight I’m troubled by a dream that a man of light is readying his armor, preparing to strike me down.

Pray for me, my friend.

With deepest regard,

Saul of Tarsus

"There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." (Proverbs 14:12, NIV)

*****
Author’s Note: This story is based on events recorded in Acts 3-9 with a particular emphasis on Acts 5. Gamaliel, Paul’s teacher (Acts 22:3) and the leader of the Pharisees, was the grandson of Hillel the Elder, one of Israel’s great teachers.
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This article has been read 1725 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Patty Wysong
02/23/08
This reads smoothly and well. I like how you set this on the eve of his departure for Damascus, especially since we know what happens on that trip. =)
Seema Bagai 
02/23/08
This story kept me engaged throughout. Great job.
Lynda Schultz 
02/24/08
Great inside look at this passage of Scripture.
Verna Cole Mitchell 
02/24/08
I was really engaged by this story of Saul before his Damascus Road experience. You have an excellent grasp of the language of the man who became Paul and was such a mighty force for "the Way."
Sally Hanan
02/25/08
This is well written. I'd love to have a setting with it--a description of the clothes, the walls, the furniture--it would make me feel more like I was there.
Beth LaBuff 
02/25/08
Wow! Excellent writing. I love that you filled some gaps in bringing this story to us. It almost has a "rest of the story flavor". I really like this!
Beckie Stewart
02/25/08
Very well written story setting the tone, mood and events.
Jan Ackerson
02/25/08
Excellent! I like the setting (the letter) and the voice is perfect.
Sharlyn Guthrie
02/26/08
You've put a lot of effort into this piece. The writing is seamless, and the voice just right.
Sheri Gordon
02/27/08
I love the format. You've managed to take some intense chapters of the Bible and make it very real, very readable. Nice writing.
LauraLee Shaw
02/27/08
You just made this story come alive for me. Wow. Love the ending, too and the Bible verse to tie the message together. Well done.
Shirley McClay
02/27/08
I never think much of Saul before his conversion. This is great! I love this line/thought.. But tonight I’m troubled by a dream that a man of light is readying his armor, preparing to strike me down.
Sara Harricharan
02/27/08
Oh the twist at the end was good. I wasn't sure who the writer was going to turn about to be, but it was really Saul! Wow. Nice job with the twist here!
Loren T. Lowery
02/27/08
What a wonderful piece of historical fiction. I've often wondered if Caiaphas didn't regret listening to Annas, his father-in-law regarding sealing Jeaus' fate by asking him, "Are you the Messiah?" But history is what it is and your re-telling it in this manner goes beyond academics and into inspiration. Great job!
Debbie Wistrom
02/27/08
Thanks for a new look at a familiar character.
Lyn Churchyard
02/28/08
What a great look at Paul before his conversion. Isn't it amazing that Paul, once so loved by the council, suddenly became the hunted after his conversion. This was so well written, I thought it must have been a male writer to get the "male voice" down so pat. Well done Karen!!