Except for Grace and Mercy

Chapter 6

The temple censers, lamp stands and sacred table, were ready for the Passover day of festivities. High priest Zadok, wipes his hands on a mini linin shroud towel even as he glances toward high priest Abiathar who is addressing the other priests and some worshippers on how they were to have proper decorum in the temple and surroundings. A few moments later, high priest Abiathar walks over to me; "I can see all is set for the Passover feast from your own end".
"Indeed high priest Abiathar. When should we expect Rabbi Phinehas?"
"That will be today at sunset".
Rabbi Phinehas resides at Hebron a twenty mile journey from Jerusalem. He is an outspoken teacher and elder who is waiting for the coming of the Messiah and an ardent follower of John the Baptist and his teachings. I wasn't feeling comfortable with his coming because now we had to look for ways to cover our tracks.
"Priest Abiathar, we should begin in earnest to..." The words did not leave my lips when within the twinkle of an eye, four men in black hoods covering every parts of their bodies, jump into the temple, grab me from behind along with high priest Abiathar, while others whom I had not seen, tackled the other priests to the ground. I could feel my attacker's breath on my face, the feel of his blade on my chest right up to my left cheek; the hairs on my body are rising and my heart is beating too fast.
"Both prophet and priest are godless. Even in my temple, I find their wickedness. Prophet Jeremiah was right about you, we know your dealings with the emperor and the Romans, we cannot permit you to share with the infidels our offerings ". With that, he pushes me to the ground, am so dazed and scared to look but I can hear their departing footsteps and later the screams of the other priests coming from the offertory area. With my hands on my chest, I groan in pains until hands lift me up towards the physician's home.