Volume 11 · Chapter 2

THE INTENTIONS OF THE PHARISEES [GGJ.11_002,01 When we woke up the next morning, the innkeeper told us that the newly arrived guests – as they were unsatisfied because they did not receive a direct answer from us on the question who we are – tried to question the servants of the house to know from where we came and who we actually are. Especially the 3 Pharisees acted quite demanding because they were used to see everyone die from awe for them. But the chief helper of the house, also a Roman whose name was Marcius and who was a former soldier-companion of our innkeeper, firmly rejected their nosy questions in a true Roman manner so that they were very offended, retreated and decided to really complain about this rude helper to his lord.

[GGJ.11_002,02] We took our morning meal in the hall where we had slept and could thus precisely hear what was discussed in the next room where we first stayed yesterday evening. Our innkeeper went himself to the three to know what they wanted, and one of them took the opportunity to really let out his suppressed vexation.

[GGJ.11_002,03] The innkeeper calmly listened to their complaint and said then without any anger in his words: “Of what you say, the only thing that is valid is that my Marcius urged you in a somewhat too harsh manner to stay calm since you, as you well know, are not the only guests in my house. My house is a lodgment for everyone and I cannot make a special exception on the rules of the house for citizens of Jerusalem or even for members of the High Council, because this house is truly Roman, and everyone who wants its protection must thus comply with the rules, otherwise he is free to look for another inn. But you fervently discussed till late at night without worrying whether the nightly rest of other people might be disturbed, and you finally called my personnel, who really need their nightly rest, questioning them so that Marcius firmly rebuked you for this violation. This could have been done more politely, but I cannot blame him that it happened.”

[GGJ.11_002,04] The speaker of yesterday spoke again (the Pharisee): “I surely did experience that you are a special friend of your guests of yesterday, but I think that we also are worth something and may desire to be treated politely as it befits between men of our reputation and standing. But no matter how – for I noticed yesterday how you are disposed towards us so that we probably will not receive justice from you – tell us who was actually that rather big company that was in this hall yesterday and who is their spokesman with whom you were talking?”

[GGJ.11_002,05] The innkeeper answered: “I am not entitled to reveal you that.If you want to know, ask Him yourself. He is still in my house with His whole company and He will certainly answer your questions.”

[GGJ.11_002,06] “That is precisely what I want to avoid”, said the Pharisee, “for I noticed that He seemed to completely share your not very respectful words that you stated about the Jewish people and its teachers. At least He did not contradict you in any way but He rather repeatedly agreed with you as we concluded from a few remarks that we were able to pick up. Nevertheless, we had the feeling that a treasure of hidden wisdom lighted up from His words which brings us to the question who and what He is, whether He would know that famous Galilean Himself, if He has seen Him or if He is even a disciple of Him.

[GGJ.11_002,07] We know very well that this so-called Messiah, who is nothing more than a carpenter’s boy from Nazareth, often sent out disciples who then, as they say, performed also miracles. And now with these our friends – who are businessmen and want to travel to Petra via Jericho – we went to gather some information ourselves about how far that rubbish has progressed with the people to set them up against us and the temple. For the High Council in Jerusalem will certainly not allow to let its reputation be harmed any longer by someone who wants His arts of magic make look like the works of God’s Spirit and pretends to be a son of the Highest, as incredibly enough happened already repeatedly.

[GGJ.11_002,08] I say this to you, my dear innkeeper, so that you would not choose His side so much and make you jointly responsible for the activities of that agitator of the people which would also bear very bad fruits for you, because the Council and the court of justice of the temple still have the right and power enough to conquer its adversaries. So if by coincidence you would know where that Galilean is, or if you, via that guest who seems very wise to us, can know that, you would do us a great service and you can also be completely sure that we will in no way blame you for your bold and insulting behavior of yesterday, neither of your helper.”

[GGJ.11_002,09] After this long speech of the Pharisee, our innkeeper, who had recognized Me in his heart for a long time, wanted to grab those three.

[GGJ.11_002,10] But I rebuked him inside so that he held his peace, and very calmly he said: “Yes, if you seriously can prove to me that this Galilean is an agitator of the people, possibly against the government of Rome, then things are quite different and you can be assured that I will do everything to make such wicked enemy of Rome harmless. But I have the impression that it is actually different, and so we still should seriously talk about this matter.”

[GGJ.11_002,11] Now the Pharisee became more confidential, asked the innkeeper to sit next to him – a real honor according to him – and he began now from beginning till end to relate all the known and already often quoted pharisaic cleverness: that I did not respect the Scripture, wanted to overthrow Moses and the Old Covenant, in short, wanted to impose Myself as king of the Jews in order to destroy the rule of the Romans.

[GGJ.11_002,12] The innkeeper heard everything very calmly and then said that he wanted to take advice from his wise guest and that he then would come back. The Pharisees, as well as the businessmen, among whom there was also one that was present as money changer during the temple cleansing, were very satisfied about this apparent change of mood of the innkeeper and they let him go with merciful expressions on their face.