CLEOPAS' DIARY - DAY 4

[This series of Devotions are in the format of Historical Fiction. The main facts are accurate, but the Diary is fictional.]

Text: Luke 22:1-6 (CSB) – The Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is called Passover, was approaching. The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to put him to death, because they were afraid of the people.

Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, who was numbered among the Twelve. He went away and discussed with the chief priests and temple police how he could hand him over to them. They were glad and agreed to give him silver. So he accepted the offer and started looking for a good opportunity to betray him to them when the crowd was not present.

Dear Diary: Restless. That’s probably the best way to describe the mood amongst the followers of the Rabbi. Hard to sleep. A feeling of tension and almost a distrust among those of us in the camp.

Why had he gone so out of his way to rile up the leaders of our people? We had wondered today if he was going back again to Jerusalem and the Temple. We waited. And waited. But it seemed today he was content to remain in Bethany among friends. It was a quiet day. But, a day with an underlying tension. When will he disclose that he is the Messiah? When and where are the forces to release us from the struggles of our lives under these Romans going to happen? We have put so much faith and trust in him. Some are even beginning to drift away. Some are wondering if we have been following the wrong – a false – Messiah. Where is the promised release?

A rumor has been whispered among us that Judas Iscariot had a second meeting with the leaders. Maybe he is the one that the Rabbi is using to negotiate terms for the uprising. Judas did, after all, carry the money-bag for this mission. Being the group’s treasurer gave him some aspect of being a leader. Some believe that he has negotiated a deal that will transpire in the next few days to reveal that the Rabbi is the Messiah – and we will see the beginning of the uprising that will free us from the bondage of death we are in with these Romans.

Must try to get some sleep tonight. Will need my strength if this all comes to pass. What a great time to be alive – to be able to tell my grandchildren that I was there when the Messiah set us free.