The Spirit That Moves Mountains

Mary Magdalene - Chapter 7

During the walk back to Pilate's palace, I continued to join with the Holy Spirit and ask that my mind be healed, that I dreamed up everything and what I really was seeing was spirit instead of my love on trial. James and Joseph had rejoined with us, and they marched on in silence.

News had spread through Jerusalem that Rabbi Jeshua had been found guilty of blasphemy. People were congregating in the streets to witness his being shuttled back and forth between prefects. The faces I saw were mainly Roman. Most were there just to gawk at the recently condemned man that they knew little about. I saw them as brothers and sisters in spirit and released them in my mind.

Upon reaching the palace of Pontius Pilate, I saw Clavius waiting at the top of the stairs. His muscles were bulging and taught as he pointed. He motioned for the guards to bring Jeshua up and into the palace.

Mary, James, Joseph, and I looked at each other. James muttered, "Keep walking," and we all nodded and continued to follow Jeshua. The guards at the bottom of the steps saw this and began to move in our direction.

"Hold!" came the booming voice of Clavius. He looked in our direction with the look of a playground bully smeared across his face. "Let the family come in and witness. They may be of some use." He turned and disappeared inside the palace.

I sent love to my brother Clavius and released him as spirit in my mind. We followed the guards and Jeshua through the halls of Pilate's palace, which seemed very similar to Herod's, yet with slightly different statues and men of importance situated around the different rooms. We then came out into an even larger courtyard filled with spruce and olive trees, and where more people had gathered. Many Romans were arguing and wearing important garb, along with Pharisees, Sadducees, and Roman guards.

From one of the darkened hallways, a booming voice was heard. "So Governor Herod has returned you to me. Not cooperating with him either, I hear."

Just then a short, round man dressed in embroidered gold garments and a long gold necklace emerged from the room to our right. "Well, I see you are in the same condition you were in before. Let us remedy that."

Pilate nodded to Clavius, who approached Jeshua, leaned toward his ear, and spoke something none of us could hear. In one quick motion, he stepped back, swung his arm around, and struck Jeshua on his left cheek with his fist. Jeshua's legs started to buckle, but he regained his composure and stood back upright, still with a slight smile on his face.

The crowd around us let out claps and encouragement for Clavius. Apparently Pilate was appealing to their lust for blood at this trial because he signaled for Clavius to strike again. This time Clavius struck much harder and let out a grunt as the punch landed.

Jeshua's body bent down to the ground from the blow, and Clavius grinned, pleased at the effect. Suddenly Jeshua was back on his feet and still emitting his gentle grin. Fresh blood was dripping from his lip, but he took no notice of it.

I closed my eyes and joined with the Holy Spirit. I love you, my love, I thought and felt a wave of peace and strength come over me. I opened my eyes and looked over at Jeshua. His grin widened; he raised an eyebrow toward me, and we spoke without words.

I bowed my head to hide the smile that came over my face. Even in these dark times, Jeshua knew how to bring in lightness and love. I could feel Mary's hand grip mine as she squeezed harder. She also understood Jeshua's teachings, but it must have been extremely hard for her to watch her son being beaten like a criminal. All she knew of him was love.

Clavius turned and looked back to Pilate, who held up his hand, signifying that the two punches would suffice for the time being. He looked around the courtyard and asked the crowd, "Since your blasphemer has been returned to me, what will you have me do with him? Hmm?" He cupped his ear, trying to listen to any comprehensible words shouted from the group of angry men that had gathered.