A Visit With Mrs. G

Guest (Male): Here we are. I hope she's home.

Guest (Female): Can I ring the bell?

Guest (Male): May I ring the bell?

Guest (Female): But I want to.

Guest (Male): Well, somebody better or we'll miss our visit with Mrs. G.

Mrs. Kitty Griffiths: Hello, I'm glad to see you. I was listening for you. Come on in.

Guest (Male): How about some stories?

Mrs. Kitty Griffiths: Stories? Yes, I've got some specially for you.

Guest (Male): Well Joe, now we've looked for him everywhere up here at the temple this morning and he's nowhere to be seen, Alf said. Alf and Joe were out of breath and panting. They'd run up and down so many steps and pushed their way through such huge crowds of people. The Passover crowds were dense. More people seemed to arrive in Jerusalem every day to swell the throng.

Let's go back once more to Solomon's porch. Perhaps he's come late this morning, Joe said. And he and Alf, still hot and out of breath, made for Solomon's porch with its long double colonnade of pillars. There are crowds there now Alf, Joe called excitedly over his shoulder. Maybe he has come. Joe pushed ahead. No, no, he hasn't, Joe said very dejectedly and stopped right still. Somebody else is teaching there this morning in the very place where our dear friend has taught all week. Some of the same people are listening.

Oh, Joe said in alarm. I wonder if... oh no. If so, he'll be in Sanhedrin Hall. Who's in Sanhedrin Hall, Joe? Alf asked as Joe looked about him for a way to get through the crowd. What is Sanhedrin Hall anyway, Joe? The other day when the farmer kept talking about people coming from Sanhedrin Hall, I wanted to ask you then. I thought you'd know seeing as your daddy's a priest and knows all the places up here around the temple.

Oh, it's the place where the 70 leaders of our nation hold their meetings. The farmer called it Sanhedrin Hall, so I did too. But never mind what it's called. Joe sounded agitated. Right now I must find my dad. He's on duty. I know where. Follow me. And Joe rushed ahead weaving in and out of the people as best he could, followed by a very puzzled Alf. I must find my dad. I must find my dad, Alf heard Joe say as they went along.

Joe led the way through the Court of Women to the Court of Israel, where Jewish men could enter, and up to the low wall that divided the Court of Israel from the Court of Priests. Joe leaned over the low wall, looking, looking for his dad. Dad! Dad! Joe called when he caught sight of him. His dad was dressed in a long white robe and he looked very busy. Still, he came over for a moment to where the boys were standing. Dad, is there anybody in our leader's meeting room right now?

No, not a soul, Joe. There's no meeting on just now. Some of them, I understand, have gone for informal talks to High Priest Caiaphas's palace. But boys, I'm so sorry. I can't show you the Sanhedrin's usual meeting place today. I haven't got a minute to spare. Just two days before Passover, you know. Another time.

We don't want to go in really, dad, Joe said. I am sorry, but I can't even stop to talk today, Joe and Alf, Joe's dad said with a smile. Some other day. And Joe's dad had to go back to his duty. Oh, anyway, I'm so glad he isn't in there. Joe heaved a deep sigh of relief. Joe, Alf said, looking puzzled. Who do you mean? Tell me what you're talking about. I thought we were looking for Jesus.

So we are, Alf, Joe said. And I hoped the Sanhedrin hadn't arrested him. That's all. Oh, Alf said, I see. Oh, I'm glad too. But Joe, do let's keep looking for Jesus. And so they did, but Jesus was nowhere to be found.

High Priest Caiaphas's palace stood in the beautiful upper city on Jerusalem's western hill. His terraced garden was a picture of loveliness this spring morning. There were flowers of every hue, blue and purple, red and pink and yellow and white. And there were trees whose boughs were laden with blossom. The air was filled with perfume. Birds sang everywhere and fountains splashed and played.

This morning quite a few callers had come through the high priest's palace courtyard and garden and had knocked at the palace door. Malchus, one of the servants of the high priest, had been kept busy answering the door. Now, there was one visitor who did not knock at the door. Malchus didn't know he was there. No one knew he was there. No one could see that visitor. But he was keeping a keen eye on things at the palace today because he had a plan.

And there were people here at the palace who were very important to making his plan work. In the beautiful garden, he'd been saying to himself: I hate him. I hate him. I've hated him since before his father made this world. How I hate him. Why shouldn't I be equal with the son of God? How I hate him. Anyway, I ruined his world and his beautiful people. I got his masterpiece, the first man and the first woman, to disobey him. And humans have had nothing but trouble ever since. I've seen to that.

But one day, what should happen but that the son of God should say, "I will rescue the human race from its awful plight. I will become a man myself." And I thought now when he's only a man, I will fight him and win. I tried to destroy him when he was a baby. I made the most of old Herod's fear that someone would take his throne. I made him fear and hate that baby. I thought, "Now I've got him, my enemy."

But one of his angels spoiled my plot. He warned Joseph and the baby escaped. Many years passed. Then in the desert, I tried again. How I tried to find something in him that I could work on. Some desire for food or glory or power, anything that might be stronger than his desire to obey God. But I could not find anything I could use. He won that round. How I hate him. I hate him.

Since then, he's been attacking my demons. He has declared war on them, driven them out of people I had claimed. But now I am encouraged. I think I see humans who will help me in my plan. Of course, they must think that it is their plan, their clever plan. When I see something in a human, some bitterness, some hatred, some jealousy or fear or passion or pride, I can work with someone like that. That person is a good tool for me to use.

So I watch that one carefully. The high priest said not long ago, "Don't let the whole nation perish in a riot. Get rid of him." He was talking about my enemy. I like that. I like it. All those who hate him are my allies. It's worth my while paying attention to Caiaphas. Oh, but here come two people now on their way to the high priest's palace. I will hear what they say.

We've got to get rid of him. He made us look ridiculous in front of the crowd saying that there is life after death. Sadducees, their pride has been wounded. They're worried about their image. Good. I can use them. Malchus, the servant, answered the knock at the palace door and in they went. Ah, listen now. Here come three white-robed priests. I am sure they are my friends by the angry looks on their faces.

The cheek of it, one of them said, to upset our temple market. Yes, said a second. It was a thorough disgrace. He drove out our merchants and sacrifice animals and all. And he upset our money-changing tables, said a third angry white-robed priest. Coins rolled everywhere. My word, he's got to be put to death. Angry, bitter, they want revenge. Splendid.

The priests reached the palace door, knocked, and Malchus let them in. More to come. Here come two scribes of the Pharisees. Listen. He doesn't keep the law. He's leading people astray, one of them said bitterly. He says he's the son of God, said the other. Blasphemy. Utter blasphemy. We'll have him killed for this.

Of course he's the son of God. I'm glad you don't know that. But I'm glad they're determined to put him to death. I will help them all I can. The two scribes knocked at the palace door. Malchus let them in. Others came as well to the palace door and Malchus let them in. Inside the palace, little groups of Sanhedrin members with angry, ugly looks on their faces were plotting together.

We'll do it. We'll put him to death at the first possible opportunity. But we can't catch him while the Passover crowd is around. It would cause a riot and maybe the Romans would step in. We must get him when he is alone. If one member said that, they all did. Oh, but just look here. Just look here. Here comes another one through the courtyard door. Not a member of the Sanhedrin this time. This one's a member of... Oh, what does he want? I have watched this one for some time.

The newcomer was alone. He knocked at the palace door and the unseen visitor listened carefully when Malchus opened the door. I want to speak with one of the chief priests or temple guards. Somebody responsible, please. Malchus let him in, announced that a priest was required to speak with a visitor, then withdrew to get on with his work. What will you give me? The latest arrival asked. If I hand Jesus over to you?

There was much whispering and craning of necks. What shall we offer the fellow? Oh, it's despicable what he's doing, but it suits us. Oh, it suits us. It suits me too. The priests decided to offer the fellow 30 pieces of silver. All right, it's a deal. As soon as I see my chance, I'll let you know. He put his money into his bag and left.

My friend, my friend, my friend, Judas Iscariot. I will help you. You are jealous. You are covetous. You will do anything for money. Oh, you I can use.

I see we still have time for just one more short story, Mrs. G. How about it? At a banquet, the mother of the famous George Washington was sitting beside a distinguished French officer. Turning to Washington's mother, the officer asked, "Mrs. Washington, how have you managed to rear such a splendid son?" She replied, "I taught him to obey."

Thank you for visiting Mrs. G today. God's Word, the Bible, has hundreds of stories and you can find many of them retold by Mrs. G when you visit our website at www.biblestoriesalive.org. You can download audio of these stories and also find them on CDs and in books. You can also read copies of our newsletter or help us send Bible stories to the rest of the world free of charge.

That address again is www.biblestoriesalive.org. Mrs. G's Bible stories are also available from Trans World Radio in several languages, including Arabic, Mandarin, and Spanish. Visit our website for more information at www.biblestoriesalive.org. Until next time, goodbye and God bless.