I Appeal To Caesar!

* * * * * As Caiaphas stares at the pile of reports, his memory has a noble recall! He comes alive with an exciting thought! “I have neglected some key confrontations between Jesus and Pharisees, those ending with the Jews picking up rocks to stone Jesus to death!” In each of these cases, the Jews charged Jesus with blasphemy, but each time Jesus slipped away and escaped their clutches. Hasty Caiaphas had skimmed over these accounts, but not now!

This is significant! To stone, a man requires absolute

evidence!

This must be it! The weary priest stands to his feet— his face registers a dawning enlightenment ! Actually, his mind is bursting with an epiphany!

Caiaphas’ head lurches back, he throws his hands

upward and howls for joy!

“I found it!” “ I . . . FOUND . . . it! “This is it!”

The one absolutely challengeable point in the teachings of Jesus that a Pharisee or any Jew cannot —must not —ever believe! Caiaphas smacks his hands and gleefully prances the perimeter of his office! He has found the answer! Made breathless by this sudden, unrestrained effort, he collapses into a chair to restore breathing! Amazement fills his face: a quizzical smile, eyes wide and unblinking. Tears wet the magnificent beard.